May 28, 2014
Acts 2:41-47
(All scripture is from the New King James Version unless otherwise indicated.)
Exploding Christians! We looked at one aspect of this theme on Monday – the problem of trying to squeeze into lives set in legalistic firmness the new dynamic of Jesus Christ in and through such a life, empowered by the Holy Spirit. That situation can not be maintained! Jesus, in Mark 2:22 said that it is like trying to put new, still fermenting, wine into an old, stretched-out wineskin. The increasing pressure of the fermentation – which produces CO2 – will explode the old wineskin apart!
Jesus Christ is Lord of all! He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things – including people! (see Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2 and 3). He brings alive those who were spiritually dead when they invite Him into their heart and life! (see Ephesians 2:1). Now, try packing that into a rigid, legalistic framework! No wonder such a structure can’t hold that kind of vibrancy! There will be a destructive explosion!
But there is another kind of Explosion that is good! And the results of such Exploding Christians are recorded in Acts 2:41 through 47:
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 pray-
ers. 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.
If Jesus Christ brings a person from…
• death to life…
• sinfulness to holiness…
• destination hell to destination heaven…
• being under God’s condemnation to being His child and friend…
• selfishness to God-centeredness…
• a legalistic society to spiritual freedom…
…no wonder the results will be explosive! And when this involves thousands of believers in one place and in a short time, it will be one impressive explosion!
What was different back in the book of Acts? The new believers had – as it says in Acts 9:31 (and in May 23 blog) – “…the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.” They also had a new love of the Word of God and the doctrine it proclaims. They had love for fellow Christians and a desire to be with them in fellowship and worship. They had a powerful witness – including “…many wonders and signs….” Is it any surprise that “…the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved…”? Now that’s an explosion! And is it any surprise that the pharisaical Jewish leaders were so threatened and upset?
Wow! Could we ever use such an explosion today! There are too many churches that haven’t even seen a soul converted to Jesus Christ in the last year or more! And Acts 2:47 boldly proclaims, “…the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved…”! We have the same God! We have the same Savior! We have the same Holy Spirit! And our God said, “…I am the LORD, I change not…”! (Malachi 3:6). He is “…the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever…”! (Hebrews 13:8). And one of the biggest challenges for the Church today is to experience the fulfillment of John 14:12: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” If Jesus said this – and He most certainly did – why are so many Christians not experiencing such explosive works today?
It really comes down to this: If we Christians embrace all that Jesus Christ came to give to His followers, then we will be Exploding Christians! just like those early believers in the book of Acts!