The Attractive Gospel

In Acts 2:41-43, there are two types of responses recorded from those who heard and saw the Apostles and disciples of Jesus. They were amazed and in awe at the wonders and signs performed by the Apostles. But more importantly, when they saw the changed lifestyles of the disciples, they “liked what they saw” (v41, Petersen’s paraphrase “The Message”). They saw believers:-

  • living in wonderful harmony,
  • pooling their resources so that each person’s needs were met,
  • following a daily discipline of worship,
  • sharing meals together, in joyful, exuberant celebration, praising God.
Was it any wonder then that “Every day their numbers grew, as God added those who were saved”, because people “liked what they saw”.

When God created the world, He saw that it was “good”. When we share the Good News of the gospel of ‘re-creation’ through Jesus, it's no news at all, unless the hearer can see the results of this re-creation in us and be able to say “it is good, I like what I see”.

Let’s pray that the vitality of the lives of those early Christians will be the spirit of our Church life, which will be just as attractive to all who see.

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