Acts 2:1-4; 41-47
As a child, I often played church, that is, I went through the ritual of church attendance without putting down deep roots. Only after a deep encounter with God, I stopped playing church. Too often we go to church for going sake and when the going gets tough, without a deep encounter with the Lord of Hosts, we head through the church door to another church or to our houses never to return.

This however is not what is expected of us. God wants us to strengthen our church family, instead of running away from the hard work of making his church family. The making of God’s church family is not automatic. How is a church family made? Rev. Stephen Jennings using the passage in Acts 2:1-4;41-47 explained that the church family is made in 3 major areas:

1. The Coming Together of Persons. Firstly Jesus’ disciples came together in one place. When they were together in one place the power of God was revealed. Likewise only when we come together with other believers in one place, God’s full blessings and power will come. Secondly, they were together in one accord/mind. Despite the differences, on certain things there was seeking to think the same. Thare is a need to have a oneness of mind about the things of God, despite our uniqueness and differences. Thirdly, there was a coming together with one Holy Spirit impacting all present. We need the Holy Spirit to empower us together. There is a need to come together in body, mind and spirit.

2. Cleansing : Before Pentecost the disciples had to sort out themselves (denier-Peter, deserters, etc). Jesus’ Spirit had to come to clean them up. Wind and fire in the text symbolised the Lord cleaning up the dirt and mess in them. The fire was also a symbol of purification which brought cleansing. John predicted that they would be baptized by fire and the Holy Spirit. For us as disciples, we need to be cleansed by the God the Holy Spirit if we are going to be a family. Jesus’ Spirit wants to clean us up too. When we have issues with the church we need to work it out and let the cleansing take place.

3. Communication from God and communicate with others: In verse 3, God speaks to His people. Before the disciples spoke to other people about what God had done, God spoke to them. The tongues stopped on each head. God wants to speak to us by name, to talk to us individually. God wants to talk to you if you will listen…even in dreams and visions. He wants us to become a part of His church family in deeper ways. When God talks with us, then and only then can we share with others about the goodness of Jesus and all He has done for us.

So are you willing to come together, to be cleansed, to receive communication from God and communicate with others so that God’s church family can be made?

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Help us to assist in the making your church family by coming together in place, body, mind and spirit. We need your Spirit to cleanse us, to clean us up Lord. If we are not cleansed we will not be the family we are meant to be. O Lord speak to us, let us hear you speaking to us personally and individually. Speak to us Lord right now, and give us the word you have for others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.