I have used this statement that I picked up somewhere along the way: “The local church is the hope of the world.” I still believe this to be true, even with our failures, weaknesses and faults. When we adopt the principles the church modeled in the first part of the book of Acts, hope, healing, redemption and fulfillment are realized. So maybe these four basic principles in Acts 2 should be emphasized again at the individual, family and local church level. They seem to work and produce attractive and life-giving results. 

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. Acts 2:42

Let’s look at the core action of fellowship this week. “Fellowship” means to be present and to participate, to engage and share life together. These new believers devoted themselves to meeting regularly and finding “life together is better.” When we participate and choose to invest in each other, we gain something much greater than doing it on our own. There is a beauty and a contagious atmosphere that is released when we honor and prefer one another and allow for the grace that embraces us to embrace others. When we choose not to be islands of independence, but purpose to be interdependent, oh how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! (Ps. 133:1). This kind of fellowship releases a super satisfying, soul enriching experience. This can only be found in the local church through the presence of the Holy Spirit who makes it a reality to these devoted. Let’s not shrink away from being the “hope of the world.”  Let’s challenge our hearts, believe and act in humility and see what could happen if we try to do life in Jesus together.