The most compelling demonstration of the coming of God’s Kingdom is its power to create a certain kind of community; a group of people who are prepared to share and care for one another. This was the most countercultural thing about the early church community. Luke is always keen to show this aspect of the early church. He saw it as the ultimate fruit of the work of the Holy Spirit. Luke now takes this a step further. It was impressive enough that the Jewish believers were able to create this level community. Now, however, there is a sense of community between Jews and Gentiles. After the conversion of Cornelius there was a huge influx of Gentiles into the church. Here in Acts 11 we read about the new Gentile church sharing significant resources with the Jewish church in Judea. So, we see previously disparate people groups being brought together. I often find it remarkable that church ever works. The idea of having such a diverse group of people in one community seems impossible and yet somehow it is working. It is never as cohesive and functional as it should be. It is always hard. But it is worth sacrificing for. Too many people give up on church because it is so hard at times. The fact that it is so hard for us to achieve, however, just highlights the importance of persevering. Whatever the sacrifice you have to make to help create real church community, it will be worth it. It matters to God and it should matter to us.
Pray for your church community.
Read Acts 11:19-30
