Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women. Acts 5:14
One of the most notable things about the early church is how distinct followers of Christ were from others. As members of the church lived with integrity, gave generously, and took care of people in the name of Jesus, people took notice. They were paying attention to how these people lived, and many believed in Jesus after observing how they lived. Acts 5 tells us that the apostles kept spreading the name of Jesus amidst persecution and threats. They performed “many miraculous signs and wonders” and met regularly with the believers (verse 13). Many people feared joining them, perhaps because of threats going out against Christ-followers, and yet, “more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women” (verses 13-14). Crowds of people came to the apostles from all around Jerusalem, seeking healing and help. Even amidst fear, people could not help coming to the apostles and the early church because of how they lived their lives. As you think about your life, are you pointing people to Jesus the same way the early church did? Are you living with so much integrity, generosity, and love for people that they cannot help but learn why you are different? The true way our lives can make a difference is when people see our honesty and integrity. This lifestyle turns unbelieving people to Jesus at a rate never seen before.
Take a few minutes to read through all of Acts 5. As you read, make notes of characteristics of the early church that caught people’s attention and ultimately pointed people to Jesus. After making this list, pick one trait or attribute today to practice. As you do this, pray for opportunities to point the people around you to Christ.
Acts 5:12-16 (NLT)
"The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them. 14 Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women. 15 As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. 16 Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed."
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