And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42
In the second chapter of Acts, we see the birth of the church marked by the Holy Spirit descending upon the believers who were in one accord and waiting in Jerusalem, as Jesus had told the disciples to do. The group that had gathered to wait for the promise of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit initially numbered one hundred and twenty.
Once Peter begins to preach under the anointing of the Spirit, about three thousand souls are saved and added to the church. What an exciting time, what a wonderful way for these believers to begin their journey with Jesus. Being a part of history and experiencing the fulfilment of the Feast of Pentecost would certainly give your faith a boost and give you a firm foundation on which to build your life in Christ.
It’s always exciting to begin something new; so much anticipation and expectation of great things. In fact, looking ahead from such an awesome beginning, it would seem as if it would always be nothing but great. If it’s this wonderful at the beginning, just imagine how much better it will get as time goes by.
Unfortunately, everything in this life tends toward decay and eventually destruction if left to itself. Anything good has to be tended and kept up or it will begin to whither and die. Even the beautiful garden that God created for Adam and Eve at the beginning of time had to be kept up — God gave Adam that specific task, to tend and keep the Garden of Eden. A part of his job was, obviously, to keep the snakes out but we know how that story ends!
So, what about this new-born church with its three thousand new church family members? This was only the beginning and even though it was a glorious beginning, it would still take tending to for them to become all that God created them to be. From that day forward, it took continuing steadfastly (to be constantly and earnestly diligent, giving oneself continually to a purpose) in this new way of life.
Starting something is always the relatively easy part; it’s continuing on to the end that takes consistent commitment. Receiving salvation and beginning your walk with the Lord is a time of basking in the goodness of God and His love toward you. But this walk is going to take work; after all, you can’t make progress in your walk if you are not moving forward!
Receiving the Word of God and being committed to a group of fellow-believers who are your church family with whom you fellowship, celebrate and pray calls for just such a commitment. After the new wears off, it will still be just as rewarding, but it may take more diligence at some times than it does at others to continue on steadfastly. The same with children; there is much joy in the beginning as well as throughout the rest of life, but sometimes it seems like you just have to continue in faith through the challenging times. And, so it is with everything good, just like with that garden in the beginning. It has to be tended and cared for and in the end the fruit will come. Just continue steadfastly!
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