Thoughts for the Month
Why church? Amongst other reasons, primarily it is for worship and to allow us to find ways to put action into our faith through the Spirit. All of that is for one purpose only, the glorification of the Father.
41 Then those who gladly[g] received his word were baptized;
and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ 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[h] daily those who were being saved.
Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried,
whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful,
to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple,
asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.”
5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.
6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you:
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up,
and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking,
leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God.
10 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple;
and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. - Acts 2:41-47 and 3:1-10
