Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Not only did the Lord Jesus say he would build his church, but he also added to the church daily those who were saved. The church as the body of Christ is a growing organism. As the church functions in this world as the body of Christ, the Lord uses the testimony of the church to save others. Like a family, the church is a place where believers gather to praise God and minister to one another. In Jerusalem, that first church had favor with all the people, at least for a while.
A rejoicing, praising church is a contagious thing. People are drawn to the Lord Jesus through the testimony of his people as a moth is drawn to a flame. A growing church is a sight to behold. It is wonderful to hear new testimonies of what Jesus is doing on a regular basis. To see new faces in the gathering and know the joy of helping new believers grow in the faith is a joy. However, that happens as an overflow from the church. When the people take seriously the message of Jesus and share the gospel in the marketplace that is when transformation and growth really begin to take place.
Are you a part of the church? Are you seeing the Lord add daily to the church? Do you regularly share the good news of Jesus with others? Do you invite others to church? Do you encourage others to grow in their faith in Christ?
These are normal functions of the body of Christ. Nowhere in the Bible is there a show up, sit, listen, and leave church. A church is not an organization, it is an organism. It is alive with people. It is not a building or a program, but a family. This family is made up of the children of God. God is constantly adopting new members into his family. Let’s get on board with the church and see what God will do!
In Christ,
Rody
