Meditation

02/28/2022

“The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.” (Acts 5:12-14)

The local church assemblies for worship and fellowship. ‘”Meet together” includes the meaning in common consent and purpose. Christ wanted His followers to be unified (John 17:21-23). Unity remains the church’s goal. Unity does not mean exclusiveness. The Jerusalem church’s goal. The Jerusalem church continued to evangelize and grow. The faithfulness and unity from those without the courage to commit themselves to Christ and His church.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Precious Abba, today we lift up all the people of God, who seek to serve Christ in their local body or churches, but not for the purpose of being exclusive. Their purpose is to gather in unity with their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ that they do and no one is over another, nor seeks to be. They may come from all over, but they come back to where they began their own personal walks serving the Lord with those they walked with in the beginning. Our Father loves us all; Christ loves us all, and we love each other along with our Creator and Savior. Amen

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“They who have tact, has less to retract!”

KNOWING GOD:

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 15:5-7)

God desires unity among His people. The church should be one in Christ Jesus. Holding grudges and resenting other members of the body separates us from the will of Christ. Christians should accept one another as Christ accepted us.

I AM:

“She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.” (1^st Peter 5:13)

A local church is a group of believers chosen by God. Peter sent greetings from a local church. Babylon stood for evil, so here it probably represents the church living in an evil location, possibly Rome.

2ND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” (Revelation 22:16)

A local body is a group of believers serving Christ in one geographical location and is a church. The serving Christ in one geographical location is a church. The believers in Jerusalem formed a church. Most New Testament passages relating to the church refer to a local body of believers. The local church is not isolated or provincial. The Jerusalem church became the base for the church’s mission outreach to Samaria and beyond. The local fellowship display unity and commitment to minister to one another as the Jerusalem church did here. They must also display Christ’s love to the whole world. Besides the local church, the New Testament refers to the church in a more general and expanded sense. Though each church is autonomous bodies which determine individual directions. All, however, come under the lordship of Christ. Each congregation must obey the word of the Spirit at he the teaching of Scripture.