In the second chapter of Acts we have the account of the Holy Spirit coming upon God's people and filling them with His presence. Peter preaches a great sermon and it says there were about three thousand souls that were added to them that day.
This was a very excited time for the apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ. They had received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit which He poured out upon them. The apostles/disciples had come a long way and went through some very difficult times to come to this point in their lives. The resurrected Christ was now dwelling in them in the person of the Holy Spirit. Woo!Hoo! "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart." Acts 2:46 Some versions say sincerity of heart.
When my husband and I came to know the Lord we had been attending a wonderful bible study that consisted of about 30 people. It was a very exciting time in our lives. We were praising the Lord and getting together with people in our bible study group in individual homes for meals and desserts and fellowship. During these times of meals we would all share different kinds of things about our lives and it was all centered around Christ and our joy and relationship with Him.
Over the years I have noticed that people don't seem to spend as much time with one another in that same manner. We often use the excuse that times have changed and families are busy and people are working and when they get home they just want to spend time with their own families. For most of us we would say our church is full of fine people who love the Lord and care about one another and help one another. Yet, we all seem too busy for fellowship, breaking bread with gladness and sincerity of heart.
How often do you get together with other believers over a meal or desert or prayer together? I am very sorry to say that it doesn't happen much in my life anymore.
I don't pretend to know the answers but I do believe to some extend we have lost our excitement and joy in spending time with one another. The Tyndale commentary said "The joy that characterizes these gatherings was no doubt inspired by the Spirit and may have been associated with the conviction that the Lord Jesus was present with them." Maybe we don't recognize the presence of Jesus dwelling in us as we fellowship with one another, therefore He is fellowshipping with us.
Now before we go pointing the finger at everyone else who doesn't invite us into their fellowship let us take the first step. Call someone and invite them to fellowship with you. Think afresh of the truth that Jesus dwells with us through the Holy Spirit. Let us once again look for that joy and sincerity of heart as we break bread together and enjoy and celebrate Christ.
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