Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:41-47)
If we would seek a new Reformation in our time, it is profitable to study how the apostles confronted the ancient world with the Gospel of Christ. The text for this message is one such example. The apostles sought to confront the deepest ills of humanity through the power of the Gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit. The early church did this as a community of believers who had true fellowship in the Gospel. This fellowship was more than simple friendship; it was a deep communion based on their new life in Christ. This love of one another is one of the marks of the true Christian; it is this love of fellow believers that makes the church distinct from all other institutions. The church of Christ is a Spirit-filled community of believers who love one another and Christ because of Godâ??s great work of redemption. The early church in Acts lived out this salvation by loving one another and proclaiming the Gospel to the whole world. The church of today must not stray from the great truth of who - in distinction from what - the church is, and of the glorious Gospel with which believers have been entrusted. Only the church has been entrusted with the truth of the Gospel of Christ. Believers' task is to confront the fallen world with its transforming power.