Ekklesia: God’s Idea of Churchනියැදිය

Day 2: The church is a spiritual community

After responding to Peter’s passionate sermon, the new believers came together as a spiritual community. Most of them were probably strangers before this event, yet were brought together as a result of their shared faith in Christ. They didn’t just add Christianity to their already busy lives, but they devoted themselves to God and to one another.

There was a deep sense of shared awe when the believers witnessed God’s presence and power through the apostles. The “me first” attitude of the earlier disciples had disappeared. Instead, these Christ followers were exceedingly generous with their time and resources. They were neither begrudgingly giving up their possessions nor sharing their meals out of obligation. Instead, there was a spirit of joy and celebration in all that they did. This was not just “communal togetherness”, but unity in its purest form. It was no wonder that the early church enjoyed the favour of those who did not know Christ!

All of us belong to communities—our families, friendship circles, sports teams, and hobby groups. With our busy schedules and various commitments, it’s easy for us to let go of our commitment to God’s spiritual community. Some of us might find the church “boring” at best, and hurtful at worst.

God has created the church to be a community that all believers can lean on for spiritual support. He knows that life is a spiritual journey filled with challenges and pain, almost too much for any individual to bear. Therefore, He has provided us with His Holy Spirit and one another! Like the early believers in the book of Acts, we can make that personal commitment to devote ourselves to our spiritual community, to learn together, pray together, serve together and experience God’s work up close. At times, God’s ideals can contradict our modern day experiences. It takes faith to believe that God’s design for the Church is still possible today.

Reflect & Respond

• When have you personally experienced the joy of belonging to a spiritual community? What were the ingredients that made this community a joy to be in?
• In your present season, how can you be part of a community modelled after the Acts church?