Awe came upon every soul (2:43). They were filled with wonder and amazement (3:10). Sure they were – who wouldn’t be, given the wonders and signs the apostles did (2:43). If the pastors of our churches could heal the lame simply by pulling them to their feet (3:7), we’d expect the sort of explosive growth the church experienced just after Pentecost.

Moreover, we notice in 2:47 that the Lord was adding to the number of believers every day, drawing more people to salvation and faith in Christ. And we know that in other parts of the world, the Holy Spirit continues to do just that. So, why are so many of our modern American congregations being left behind?

Well, maybe the miracles weren’t the only reason that people came to faith in Christ – after all, Jesus Himself had healed the sick and even raised the dead, but His disciples had abandoned Him and the people of Jerusalem had crucified Him. So, what else could have explained the conversion of many of those same people? What was so different, so compelling about the Church in those early days?

Well, 2:42 tells us that the Church had a clear focus: “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” In modern terms, we would say that, instead of trying to come up with new discipleship programs or methods of community outreach, they set a priority on the means of grace: the teaching of the apostles as found in the Scriptures, the breaking of bread during the Lord’s Supper, and prayer to God. Unfortunately, many American congregations would find such simple orthodoxy rather strange.

And the way they treated each other was perhaps just as unusual. For we find that, instead of being splintered into different denominations and congregations and factions, all who believed were together (2:44), and even attended the Temple together (2:46). And they expressed this togetherness in concrete ways, sharing all of their possessions with any of their number who were in need (2:45), and visiting and worshipping in one another’s homes (2:46). In other words, if they expressed their love for God by a single-minded focus on the means of grace, they expressed their love for one another through unity and charity. How many American congregations does that describe?

So, perhaps it’s no wonder that the early church, a church filled with love for one another and praise for God had favor with all the people (2:47). And who knows? Maybe if we follow their example, the Lord will be gracious to add to our number as well.

Acts 2:42-3:10 (ESV)

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.
44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common.
45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.
3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.
4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.”
5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.
6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”
7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.
8 And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God,
10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.