Faith & Love: A One Year Bible Reading Plan - Part 5Sample

It is the birth of the church of Jesus Christ. The lives of the disciples have radically changed. Not only did they witness Jesus die, but they saw his resurrected body. Everything Jesus had said proved to be true. He was indeed the Son of God, the victor over sin and death. And now he was entrusting them with the mission and message that he came to earth with – that the Kingdom of God has come.

This radical moment of the salvation of thousands and the birth of the church comes after the promise of the Holy Spirit. The disciples were empowered and emboldened once the Holy Spirit came upon them. And here in Acts 2, we see the faith Jesus came to proclaim start to spread throughout Jerusalem, Judea and all the earth. Not only does this faith make people new, but it brings people together. It is not just an individual faith, but it is something that binds believers together.

It is here that we see some of the most practical expressions of the lives of believers. The temple was no longer where the presence of God resided. Because of the work of Jesus and because of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the presence of God had now moved into the hearts of his people. They were now the temple.

This verse teaches us that faith in God is not a solo activity. When we are born again and when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are also born into a spiritual family. We are not called to love God in isolation. We are called to love and be loved within a community of believers.

One of the many distinguishing factors of belonging to God is the fact that we also belong to one another. We are to meet together. We are to enjoy God together. We are to do life together in such a way that God is glorified and people are loved.

Christianity is not a solo activity. While it is crucial that faith be personal, we are also called to live within a community of faith. And this spiritual family always has space for more people.

Are you connected to a community of believers, a spiritual family?

How can you practically do life with your spiritual family outside of a Sunday gathering?