42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47
There are two main founding principles of the church that many have ignored. Spiritual empowerment and the physical wellbeing of the members were the two main foundation pillars of the church.
The early church didn’t concentrate ONLY on the spiritual aspect of our faith. They integrated their spiritual knowledge into how they lived-especially, by making sure that no one had a need. They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship (spiritual empowerment) and the breaking of bread from house to house. They ate their food with gladness and had all things in common (physical wellbeing).
Failure to integrate the knowledge of the spiritual life in Christ Jesus into your walk in this world will result in losing out on the glory of the Father. The apostles made sure that the members were not fed only with spiritual knowledge. They integrated what they knew into the lives of the members – that is how the church started.
6 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Acts 6:1-2
Is it not amazing to know that the early apostles didn’t just serve the people the word of God but also served them food? Yes, food! This was so important to them that they made sure no one had a need. This is the blueprint we need to follow.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:14
When we were under sin, we did things inspired by the devil. Our course in the world was influenced by evil. Lack, sickness, and the works of the flesh were all influenced by the life Adam had received after the fall. Under sin, it was normal to lack, to be sick, to be poor, etc, but in Christ, we have a different life that should reflect in our daily lives.
4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so, we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4
There’s something missing if the life you have in the Spirit is not seen in your walk in this world. Our spiritual state must be integrated into our walk in this natural world. This is the wisdom the church walked in at the beginning. They sold their possession to make sure that those in need ended up lacking nothing. They knew that life in Christ is full of abundance, and that needed to reflect among the members of the church.
This is how we ought to live as believers. Whatever you have received in Christ must not only remain spiritual but must be seen in the natural side of life as well. Jesus led by example by conquering death because He is life – the first man to ever taste death and still come back to life on His own. The church today must go back to this principle – we are spiritually positioned to influence the natural course of life. Stay blessed
Precious Father and King, I thank you in the name of the Lord Jesus for giving me a life that influences my walk in this world for your glory. Today, I choose to walk in the Spirit even though I am in a natural world. Let the Spirit-life be evident to all. Amen.