Right relationships
Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer. Acts 2:38-42
From the text, the ones who made a commitment to accept Christ decided to get engaged in Christian activities that reflect not only their relationship with Christ but also their relationship with others. It is unfortunate that there are those who feel that they can get by in their Christian life without engaging in fellowship with other believers. After the Lord Jesus Christ left and the disciples were filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit, the body of Christ called church also was started. The Lord created you to be in a relationship with Him and with others. That is why the church was started as described from the text. It is a place where individuals with their uniqueness and personalities are gathered together because of their relationship with Christ. The apostle Paul wrote in reminding the church at Ephesus that the body of Christ, the church, was a great place to express their relationship with God. “We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love” (Ephesians 4:15-16). Growing in faith was not intended to take place outside of His body. There was no concept of isolation taught in the Bible for you were saved not only to experience eternal life but also to produce His life through you. “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10). So take a stock of the relationships you have. Does it include relating with other believers who challenge you to live your life pleasing to Him? “Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25).
Blessings,
