April 1, 2009 - Acts 2

There are any number of topics from Acts 2 that could be discussed here, but what struck me this morning as I read it was a phrase that I am not sure I remember reading before. Toward the end of the chapter, after there have been 3,000 converts on the day of Pentecost, there is a description of the group of believers - the church. Luke tells us that they were devoted to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. He also tells us that they shared their possessions with those who were in need. He tells us that they met together daily in the temple courts and often ate together in their homes. Their hearts were glad and sincere and they praised God. Then, here's the phrase that caught me this morning. Luke records that they were "enjoying the favor of all the people". It wasn't too long before that Jesus had told them that they would be hated and persecuted (we discussed that here), and because we know the rest of the story we know that is coming. But, at this time, the church evidently enjoyed some favor. Is it because the church was being the church? It is obvious that the church was impacting the community. Isn't that what we should be doing? Not so that we can gain favor, but simply because that is what we are called to do.