Responses by Andy Carruthers

At any event when something unexpected or slightly controversial happens people respond to the news. Inevitably those responses vary some might feel cheated or robbed by a result others discriminated against others might be vindicated and jubilant. So many different responses to the same event. We all view and react to things through the lenses of our worldview and our own experiences. 

I want to unpack the responses of the diverse people gathered at this early gathering Acts.

The believers...

They meet in Solomon's colonnade vs 12 and in homes (2:46) the (ekklesia) is both a megachurch numbering thousands and a homegroup network meeting intimately. Here in the Colonnade thousands of Christians would come to hear the apostles preaching daily. 

This reminds us of the importance of the public gathering of the church. Here they hear the apostles teaching and it is that the gospel witness grows in the community. These meetings are marked by 2 things: 

1 The power of the Spirit both in preaching (4:31) and the miraculous (5:12) 

2 The gathering together of believers. We are a gathered people, God's people. We gather and become the sons of encouragement. 

Heb 10: 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. 

We see that Love for God is evidenced in and by love for his people and their desire to gather together and worship.

The believer's reaction to the gospel is awesome and inspiring; it is the birth of the early church. Marked by radical power from God and displayed in love and signs and wonders all pointing to God's Glory.

The onlookers/crowds response...

They saw the miracles, they see equality and love that is never seen or heard of in the culture they live in. Jews would take slaves, even other Jews could sell themselves to pay back a debt. Here they saw that none had need in this gathering of believers. There was equality unheard of and unseen before. They heard the word preached faithfully and with power by the apostles. They heard from the believers their accounts of changed lives and God's goodness. They ‘highly regarded’ the church. However but they would not join them. 

How many do we know who are in this category in the community around us?

They are afraid the cost is too high the way too narrow. Even so some are snatched and brought into newness of life vs 14. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,

I see here that salvation takes time, some listen a little, some listen a lot. some never hear, some eventually hear and some hear quickly. Salvation is a process not an event God woos our souls he draws us to himself.

Next week the response of the religious leaders gathered there the Sadducees and the Pharisees. 

Is it not wonderful news to believe that salvation lies outside ourselves?  Martin Luther

What can I give back to God for the blessings he's poured out on me? I'll lift high the cup of salvation - a toast to God!  Bono

The gospel to me is simply irresistible. Blaise Pascal

My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things; That I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior.  John Newton