"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:42-47
Nearly a year after I had returned from a mission trip to Africa I received a phone call from someone at the Center for Disease Control , Atlanta. As soon as the caller identified herself and where she was calling from she had my full attention!
She proceeded to explain that it had been discovered that someone on the flight back to the USA from Africa had tested positive for tuberculosis so everyone listed on that flight manifest was strongly urged to get screened for TB.
Fortunately, I had not contracted that very dangerous and contagious disease and I hope no one else did either!
But that got me thinking about how one person can infect several hundreds of other people just by being in close proximity with them.
The members of the Church in Acts 2 were like that! They infected everyone around their city with their contagious faith!
That raises the question, "How did they get contagious enough to infect others?"
Verse 42 gives some insights - "They devoted themselves......."
The original language renders it "they continually gave themselves" to four important functions of a contagious church:
1) devoted (continually and earnestly) learning and study of the Word
2) devoted (continually and earnestly) fellowship with believers
3) devoted (continually and earnestly) sharing of the sacraments
4) devoted (continually and earnestly) prayer
You may accurately say they remained contagious by staying infected with a good case of the "faith" disease.
What about you?
Are you truly devoted to your faith?
Are you continual and earnest in your study of God's Word?
Are you continual and earnest in finding fellowship with other believers?
Are you continual and earnest toward the sacrament of Communion?
Are you continual and earnest in your prayers?
Are you "contagious" enough to "infect" someone else with your faith?
But that got me thinking about how one person can infect several hundreds of other people just by being in close proximity with them.
The members of the Church in Acts 2 were like that! They infected everyone around their city with their contagious faith!
That raises the question, "How did they get contagious enough to infect others?"
Verse 42 gives some insights - "They devoted themselves......."
The original language renders it "they continually gave themselves" to four important functions of a contagious church:
1) devoted (continually and earnestly) learning and study of the Word
2) devoted (continually and earnestly) fellowship with believers
3) devoted (continually and earnestly) sharing of the sacraments
4) devoted (continually and earnestly) prayer
You may accurately say they remained contagious by staying infected with a good case of the "faith" disease.
What about you?
Are you truly devoted to your faith?
Are you continual and earnest in your study of God's Word?
Are you continual and earnest in finding fellowship with other believers?
Are you continual and earnest toward the sacrament of Communion?
Are you continual and earnest in your prayers?
Are you "contagious" enough to "infect" someone else with your faith?
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