Acts 2 Church!

For Sunday, June 8, 2025:

Acts 2:42 NLT: “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.”

Christians always seemed to be at odds with the world, so they stuck together. Caesar claimed to be god, and he didn’t like the competition. Pharisees didn’t appreciate this new splinter-group draining their power and resources. Jesus never succumbed to the world, so being on the “outs” seemed normal to the disciples. Therefore, the Christians hung out with each other, forming their own community within Jerusalem. They prayed together, worshiped together and took meals together. Remembering Jesus, they celebrated the Lord’s Supper.

Q: How many people are coming to dinner? A: 3,000 more than yesterday! It’s a good thing that supper wasn’t in the church basement! Many of these new believers were from out-of-town. They didn’t have jobs in Jerusalem or places to live. This proved to be a test of Jesus’ new command, to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Property and possessions were sold, with the proceeds donated to those in need. The church thrived!

Never forget that the Holy Spirit moved within this group. That’s what made it work! The apostles performed many signs and wonders, healings and miracles. The Holy Spirit had fueled the “Repent and Return Revival,” kicking off the entire Pentecost scenario!

"And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” In other words, adding 3k believers that first day was just the beginning. Today, there are 2.4B people worldwide who identify with Christianity, about one-third of the world. That number is increasing, but we still have work to do.

Count yourself blessed if your church mirrors the Acts 2 church. Your new members may not look like you or speak your language. That’s OK. Worship together, take meals together and love one another. Be kind, be helpful, be generous and do the next right thing. That’s what Jesus would do!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

PS: Jesus called the Samaritan “good,” even though he was a Samaritan!

Together!

For Thursday, February 3, 2022

Acts 2:1 NIV: “When the day of Pentecost came, the believers were all together in one place.”

God planned a big Pentecost event, something that would require a large number of hands and feet to bring it to fruition. Fortunately, the believers were all together in one place, kind of like being at church. God called them to action, first equipping them with the Holy Spirit.

Peter exposited the scriptures - understood in many languages - explaining that Jesus was the Messiah, a fulfillment of ancient prophecy, and remarkably the crowd listened and was convinced! 3,000 were baptized and added to their number that day, the result of the believers being together, willing to serve!

Believers and the Kingdom both benefit from being together in one place. The Kingdom grows, and the believers find hope!

See you at church!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406