Two words are used in the New Testament, which grows our understanding of the church; Ecclesia and Koinonia.
Ecclesia - Gathering and Assembling.
Koinonia - Fellowshipping and Sharing.
While we are unable to gather and assemble together in a place or building, we are still sharing together in fellowship. The life and soul of the Church are alive and well.
In Acts 2, there are several characteristics that Luke wanted to share with Theophilus to help grow his understanding of the Church - the fellowship of believers.
Can I encourage you to continue considering how these characteristics are still alive and well in our fellowship during a period of extended lockdown?
And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts2:47
And the LORD... NIV.
This phrase is a light bulb for Theophilus. God is at work. Luke begins the sequel to his Gospel record with these words. " In my former book Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven..." The inference for Theophilus is that; in "The Acts of the Apostles." (The book of Acts) he is to look for and to see the continuing work of Jesus; so that he may know the certainty of the things he has been taught (Luke1:4).
Here in Acts2:47; The LORD does the adding.
If Theophilus paused here and began reading again from Acts 1:1: what are some other light bulbs that he would see, and you can see? Can you see where the living God is at work all over the place in Acts 1,2?
Seen in the ascended and risen Christ, through His Holy Spirit, through His Living Word, through the Gospel Message, through the preachers preaching, through the Apostles ministry, through the Fellowship of Believers, to mention a few.
During this period of lifting aspects of lockdown join me in praying, that the LORD ( the hand and work of God); light bulb moments that made an impact on Theophilus in his daily life, would also impact your everyday life.
Read Psalm139:1-10.
You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
Watch, listen to. Christ will hold me fast
