The Ripple EffectSample

The Church as the People of God

When we receive Christ, we are joined into the “People of God.” It is part of our identity as the Church. As the apostle Peter says:

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” – 1 Peter 2:9-10

The Church, as it grew, would have been considered quite the group of misfits. It would have included both Jews & Gentiles (non-Jewish) from all kinds of backgrounds, both culturally and socio-economically. The many gatherings of the Church across the Greco-Roman world would have included the rich, the poor, the powerful, the slave, male, female, the young, the old, and everything in between. The Church we see today is not much different.

To be part of the Church means to find our belonging, identity, and community. And when we choose to gather on a Sunday and in small groups, we glorify God, for He has knitted us together as His people.

Gathered to Grow

Immediately after the events of Pentecost the author Luke gives an overview, a bird's eye view if you may, of how the early Church operated, as we see in Acts 2:42-47. When the Church is a place of equipping, teaching, shared fellowship and prayer, those who see it cannot help but be drawn towards the Church and to God. This is about being a part of the family, not a part of a club – at a club, you are a spectator that visits to enjoy the facilities, but as part of the family, you are involved, part of the furniture, engrained in the life of the Church.

Prayer Point: Lord, I pray that I would see the gathered Church not as a place that I go each Sunday, but a place of empowerment, equipping, teaching, fellowship and prayer. I pray that I would not be a spectator in Church but that I would use the gathering on Sundays, to get equipped and empowered to grow so that I can go.