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In the Bible we are told that at the beginning of the church:
...they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
And everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together, and had all things in common;and they {began} selling their property and possessions, and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.
And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42-47 (NASB)
The verse needs to be modified slightly to match the 21st Century church of the United States:
They were occasionally listening to the latest popular teaching and had lots of picnics and other social events,.
Everyone kept feeling apathetic; nothing supernatural was taking place through anyone. And all those who had believed were divided between denominations, worship styles, races, etc. and for the most part, kept all things to themselves; and they began accumulating their property and possessions and were enjoying them all, as much as possible.
Every now and then, still divided, they met in church , and sometimes in small groups, they were taking their meals together with the outward appearance of gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God according to their preferred worship styles , but having very little favor with all the people. They had established themselves as intolerant, narrow-minded, uncaring fools. And the Lord had very little interest in adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42-47
God is calling us to return to the original version of the verse. Let's pray that we can get there.
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