Begin well.... continue well.
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| Pic Courtesy: Chandan Salvi |
Begin Well!
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (Act 2:41)
The above verse was the result of dynamic sermon by Peter under the leading of the Holy Spirit.
the verse suggest that 3000 thousand people were added to the group of disciples. if added then they must be substracted or brought from somewhere. just like the nation of Israel was brought or delivered out of Egypt.
It was not the leadership skill of Moses that delivered Israel from Egypt and it was not the oration skill of Peter that drew the people into their fold.
It was more then human efforts.... it was divine.
we read the story of the Israel's miraculous deliverance in the book of Exodus. now the word Exodus means journey but this book is not only about the journey of Israel from the land of Egypt. it is also about the instructions to Israel regarding Community, Moral and spiritual living.
God did not leave Israel to live on their own after the deliverance. its not like God saying, "I delivered you out of the bondage now go and do what you want to do, live how you want to live."
similarly, in the New Testament, when people were convicted and accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they simply didn't go away and lived their lives just as they pleased.
they continued....
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| Pic Courtesy: Chandan Salvi |
Continue well!
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:42)
they continued to do four things:
- Apostles teaching
- Fellowship
- Breaking of Bread
- Prayer
Gen 3:9-14 we read, God asking four questions:
- Where are you?
- Who told you?
- Did you eat the forbidden fruit?
- What is this you have done?
Q. Where are you?
A. Continuing in fellowship
Q. Who told you?
A. I am being taught by the Apostles
Q. Did you eat forbidden fruit?
A. We are partaking into breaking of Bread.
Q. What have you done?
A. Been steadfast in prayer
