The Church that the Risen Lord Builds – Acts 2:44

A gospel without the resurrection is an incomplete gospel. If Christ were not raised, our faith would be worthless, and we would still be in our sins. (1Cor 15:17) Jesus’ resurrection is the ringing culmination of God’s salvation, but far too often we fail to understand its impact on our everyday life. If you desire to live a triumphant life, you must live centered on the resurrection. It is practical, victorious, and working in the church today.

How does Jesus’ resurrection impact us?

The church’s faith endures. (And all those who had believed…v. 44) Faith rooted in Jesus’ resurrection will be victorious. The early church in the book of Acts didn’t merely endure persecution, but they grew stronger in faith because they were fixed on the risen Lord. (Acts 4:19-20) Though most believers in the early church of Acts did not physically witness Jesus’ resurrection, their faith did not differ from that of the apostles, because their conviction did not depend on sight, but on the gospel. How did the early church have this kind of faith? When we trace back to their conversion after hearing Peter’s sermon, we see that they repented. Repentance is not by man’s effort- it is not an attempt to be sad and sorry over sin. Repentance is a gift from God, effected by the Holy Spirit. True repentance will not leave a man to continually love sin more than Christ. The early believers believed they singlehandedly killed Jesus Christ, crying out, “Brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:36-37)

Upon repenting, the church in Acts believed Jesus in their heart. The resurrection was more real and tangible to them than anything in the world. (Rom 10:9) Since they were now one with Christ by His substitutionary death and resurrection, they willingly denied themselves, choosing to faithfully walk the same path of Christ’s sufferings and persecution. They believed that Christ would be the ultimate Judge of all men, because God raised Him from the dead. (Acts 17:31) The empty tomb is the sure proof for our faith today. Our faith is not sustained by our own will and effort, but by the power of God. (2Cor 4:7-9) We live in the presence of the risen Lord- He is our strength and motivation to live faithfully until the end. (Phil 3:12; 2Tim 4:1,7)

The church was formed by the resurrection. (And all those who had believed were together…v.44) The first church began in the Book of Acts after Jesus was resurrected. The church is God’s most precious gift on earth for the believer, wholly planned and built by God. (1Pet 1:12) Man himself can not subjectively define the church. The Bible never refers to the church as an individual or a household, but it is a body of believers who devote themselves to God’s Word, fellowship, Communion, and prayer. (Acts 2:42) The church is where Jesus’ resurrection is central; it is the salt and light of the earth, commissioned by God to point this dying world to Christ. (Acts 2:13-14,23-24) Every believer is fully equipped to reach the lost. The gospel message that has saved you is the power of God that can save anyone, because Jesus is Lord over the living and the dead.