William Beckham wrote an interesting book called The 2nd Reformation (Touch Publications). He writes to convince churches to invest in a small group multiplication model for ministry (for discipleship, leadership equipping, and multiplication).
He said an interesting thing that stirred my heart. He said that without too much struggle we should recognize that, “the church we preach about on Sundays (from the Book of Acts) is different than the church we preach to on Sunday mornings (the contemporary church).” Some have said that this difference is okay, for the desire of God was for the church not to remain as it did in its early days.
However, I feel a bit “cheated” when I read the Book of Acts and compare it to our everyday experience. Acts 2:42-47 is the general description of how the early church was, and I hunger for us to get there, don’t you.
This church was not only radical in their devotion to the Lord and to one another, but they also possessed a favor with onlookers.
They had signs and wonders begin performed among them, which created an atmosphere of wonder and awe (not lethargy and complacency).
They had extravagantly generous lifestyles (not selfish and jaded personalities).
They were being transformed into vibrant followers of Jesus (not stubborn and unrepentant).
This community must have been powerful to live in… I get the sense that we are making our way back to that type of community.
