日期﹕ 03/04/2007

經文﹕使徒行傳 2 ﹕ 41-47

題目﹕聖靈治理的群體

主旨﹕因為神已將聖靈賜下﹐故此我們便有能力去完成他創造的吩咐。

序言﹕

在中國﹐豬年被認為是生寶寶的好時機。 今年生的孩子是金豬 . 我們在休斯頓 這教會 也能見證這 事 。自年初迄今﹐我們這個大家庭裡已經增添了 6 個新生命。 據我所知﹐在 2007 年余下的時間裡﹐還將會有 12 個新生命誕生。最近﹐我在崇拜結束後與你們互致問候時﹐時常會有些疑惑和納悶。看著你﹐我不知道你是不是最近有些發福還是已經懷孕了。如果你看到我的臉上充滿著不解的神情﹐請不要因此感到不適。 我們都知道﹕ 一個 新生命的誕生總是伴隨著興奮﹐喜悅和充滿戲劇性的事件。

在聖經裡﹐有幾 個 新生命誕生的描述。今天我們要來著重了解一下天地以及新約教會的誕生。這兩 個 描寫都充滿了創造力和戲劇性。即使它們 寫作 前後相隔 1000 多年時間﹐而且作者也不相同﹐但是卻有許多驚人的相似之處。

當 上帝創造了天地 時 , 聖靈也在場 。在 神在創造 新約教會 時 ﹐神的靈 也 是 在那裡 。聖靈賜給亞當生命﹐他也同樣 將 生命賜給第一世紀在耶路撒冷的基督徒群體。 當 上帝按著自己的形象創造了亞當和夏娃﹐他 要 他們能在世上代表和反映 祂 。在神創造天地的時候﹐他賜給人類三個吩咐﹕首先﹐他們要代表上帝管理世界﹐包括要繁殖 增多 和充滿世界﹔其次﹐ 人 要彼此和睦合一地生活在一起﹔第三﹐他們要 繼續生活在與神的愛的關係裡 . 。縱觀整個舊約歷史﹐我們看到人類時而遵守時而違背了這些誡命。但是﹐即使 在 人 的 罪和軟弱 中 ﹐上帝 總是持續的 幫助人類遵守他的吩咐。

今 早 ﹐我們要看到這三個吩咐同樣也 存在 于新約教會的誕生。我們將看到當聖靈降臨在神的兒女身上時 , 當聖靈管理基督徒的團體時 , 會 有 什麼事﹐。這其中蘊含一個貫穿整部聖經的真理﹕因為神已經賜下聖靈﹐因此我們便有能力去完成他創造的吩咐。

I •  聖靈賜給我們有能力完成神的吩咐去增長並充滿 全地。

在上帝創造亞當和夏娃以後﹐ ( 創世紀 1 ﹕ 28) “神就賜福給他們，對他們說：‘要繁殖增多，充滿這地，… . ” 上帝吩咐亞當和夏娃要繁殖增多﹐充滿這地。這也是後來他給挪亞﹐亞伯拉罕﹐以撒和雅各的 應許 。神 應許 他們的后代 要 像天上的星和地上的沙粒一樣眾多。當雅各和他的家人起初來到埃及的時候﹐總共才 70 人。 430 年之後﹐當他們離開埃及時﹐以色列人已經有一百萬之多。 這是一支強大的軍隊﹐一個被神揀選的民族。 當以色列人口不斷 在 增長的時候﹐上帝 同時也 告訴他們﹕神的子民將包括世上萬國萬民。在耶穌昇天之前﹐他吩咐 門 徒們 要 做他的見證人 直到地極 。

那麼﹐當聖靈降臨到神的兒女身上時 , 發生 了 什麼事呢﹖ ( 使徒行傳 2 ﹕ 41) “於是接受他話的人都受了洗，那一天門徒增加了約三千人。” 彼得在講 完 道 之後﹐有三千人信了主。上帝用一個 特殊 的方式帶領三千人進入他的國度。 之後﹐在使徒行傳 2 ﹕ 47 ﹐我們又看到主將得救的人天天加給教會。在 < 使徒行傳 > 裡﹐這樣的描述出現了好幾次。

這 是很戲劇性的應驗 神的吩咐﹐同時也清晰地 顯 示了將來要發生的一切。 我們在前幾週的學習中已經認識到﹕基督教會的歷史就是神不斷將他的子女充滿這地的最好見證。 今天我們在這裡也實現了神 要人 繁殖增多和充滿這地的吩咐。

幾天前﹐一 位 同 工 告訴我﹕他在中國的姐姐在一個家庭教會裡信了主。我也想到在我們教會裡通過聆聽講道和 因 朋友分享福音而信主的弟兄姊妹們。

當 我們將生命的主權交給聖靈﹐讓自己被聖靈 管理 ﹐他就會賜給我們力量成為他的見證 人 。無論我們走到哪裡 , 在那裡 代表和反映神﹐ 我們就在實現 繁殖增多和充滿這地的吩咐。

II •  聖靈賜給我們有能力完成神的吩咐與他有一個愛的關係。

上帝按著自己的形象創造了人。這意味著除了代表和反映神的形象以外﹐在造物主和被造物之間還 有 一個親密的關係。在 < 創世紀 > 第三章里﹐我們看到上帝來到園中 和 亞當 , 夏娃 有交談與來往 。我們也看到以諾 , 挪亞在破碎和敗壞的世界里依然 生活在神的愛的關係裡 。神希望與他的兒女保持一個親密和相愛的關係。這 個 愛的關係 表現 在兩方面﹕順服和敬拜。

! •  順服﹕

神吩咐亞當和夏娃要遵守他的誡命﹐不 可 吃園中一棵樹上的果子。但是他們卻 違 背了神。神要 挪 亞﹐亞伯拉罕﹐以撒﹐雅各順服他。在西奈山上﹐他 將 律法賜 給了 以色列人﹐教導他們如何順服神。 人不是要藉著 順服來和上帝建立關係﹐神的兒女順服神是為了要 繼續 經歷和享受與神之間愛的關係。 但是 我們從舊約里看到﹕神的子民 卻 經常違背神的心意。

後來﹐ 有 一段很長 的 時間﹐以色列人忘了上帝的律法。當約西亞做王的時候﹐以色列人再次發現了耶和華藉摩西所 寫 的律法書。 < 歷代志下 >34 ﹕ 31-32 “王站在他的位上，在耶和華面前立約，要一心一意跟隨耶和華，謹守他的誡命、法度和律例，實行這書上所記立約的誓言。他又使所有在耶路撒冷和便雅憫的人，都順從這約。於是耶路撒冷的居民，都遵照他們列祖的 神的約而行。 ” 他們宣讀了神的約書並且遵循上帝的誡命。

< 以斯拉記 >7 ﹕ 10 “因為以斯拉專心尋求研究耶和華的律法，並且遵行，在以色列中教導律例和典章。” 耶穌在 < 約翰福音 >14 ﹕ 23 教導門徒﹕“人若愛我，就要遵守我的話，我父必定愛他，並且我們要到他那裡去，跟他住在一起。” 人要藉順服郎繼續活在這 與神的 一個愛的 關 係 。神要求他的子民順服他。

在這個五旬節的時候﹐我們又看到什麼﹖首先﹐我們知道在彼得講完道以後﹐有三千人信了主。緊接著他們做了什麼事﹖他們都受了洗。 < 馬太福音 >28 ﹕ 19-20 “所以，你們要去使萬民作我的門徒，奉父子聖靈的名，給他們施洗﹐我吩咐你們的一切，都要教導他們遵守。這樣，我就常常與你們同在，直到這世代的終結。” 耶穌吩咐 門 徒們 要 為信徒施洗。我們看到他們確實遵守了耶穌的吩咐。後來﹐無論在何時何地﹐只要有人信了主﹐都要接受施洗。

經常有人問為什麼要受洗。 當然 洗 禮有 多 方面的意義 ﹐比如代表寬恕和洗去身上的罪。但是﹐最根本的原因是因為我們要遵守耶穌的吩咐。當我們 相信耶穌時 , 就 要 順服他的 心 意。

在這段經文里﹐我們也看到剛信主的門徒們恆心遵守使徒的教導。使徒們向眾人解釋舊約正是指向了耶穌基督。他們幫助信徒們理解舊約的真理。後來﹐使徒們的教導被用文字記錄下來﹐成為了我們所稱的新約。使徒是耶穌的代言人。他們口里的話就如同出自耶穌之口一樣﹐與耶穌的教導具有同樣的權威性。當神的子民學習和遵循他的話語時﹐ 他 們就是在反映當初他創造天地時的心意。

今天的情形依然如此。神已經在聖經里明確地告訴我們他的心意。聖經教導我們什麼是神的本意並且如何遵循他的旨意。這就是為什麼我們鼓勵大家做一個神的話語的學生。我們繼續鼓勵大家來上主日學﹐參加各個聖經學習小組﹐這樣可以幫助大家學習如何順服神。通過順服神﹐我們得以繼續 生活在 神 的 愛 中 。

2 •  敬拜

上帝與人之間愛的關係的另一方面 表 現在他要 祂 的子民敬拜他。該隱和亞伯帶著祭品敬拜上帝。敬拜成為亞伯拉罕﹐以撒和雅各生命的一部份。在西奈山上﹐上帝賜下律法﹐教導以色列人如何敬拜神。人若違背了神的誡命也要受到嚴厲的懲罰。可是﹐神的子民依然做得差強人意。隨著歷史的發展﹐對神的敬拜成了一種宗教儀式。他們獻上的祭品毫無意義﹐也完全不討神的喜悅。耶穌來到世上以後﹐他教導門徒要用心靈和誠實來敬拜上帝。真正的敬拜發自人的內心。

在這段經文里﹐我們看到使徒與剛信主的門徒在一起敬拜神。 2 ﹕ 42 “他們恆心遵守使徒的教訓，彼此相通、擘餅和祈禱。” 2 ﹕ 46-47 “他們天天同心在殿裡恆切地聚集，一家一家地擘餅，… .. ，又讚美 神， … . 。” 他們一起禱告﹐擘餅和讚美神。擘餅代表耶穌在死前所設立的聖餐禮。他們每天在 聖殿 和家里敬拜神﹐既有正式也有非正式的敬拜。敬拜神在他們的生活中有很高的優先性。後來﹐隨著反對勢力的加劇﹐他們無法在 聖殿 里公開聚集敬拜﹐也無法每天都敬拜神。有一段時期﹐第一世紀的信徒們能在星期六和星期天敬拜神。後來﹐他們改成在星期天敬拜﹐為了紀念耶穌的復活。

我想到在許多國家里﹐公開的敬拜是被禁止的。即使在中國教會歷史上最黑暗的 時刻 ﹐信徒們也 仍然 秘密地在家裡聚會敬拜上帝。現在﹐在許多家庭教會﹐如果政府禁止他們在某處敬拜﹐他們就想方設法找其他地方聚會。任何人都無法攔阻他們的敬拜。

我很高興看到你們在這裡每個主日參加敬拜。我也希望有更多的人能把主日敬拜當作生命中一件優先性很高的事。神希望我們敬拜他﹐他說﹕在一周里﹐我們有六天的時間是屬於自己的﹐那麼是不是應該拿出一天時間獻給神呢﹖把這一天分別為聖﹐用來敬拜神。上帝愛我們﹔當我們也愛他的時候﹐就會希望花時間與他相處。是的﹐我們要每天都與神親近﹐但是他也希望與我們和其他信徒在主日相聚。當神的子民敬拜他的時候﹐我們就是在遵循和實現他在創造人類時的吩咐和期許。 祂要與屬自己的人 有一個親密的愛的關係 .

II •  聖靈賜給我們有能力完成神的吩咐與人和睦生活。

在上帝創造天地的時候﹐他希望人類能夠和睦相處﹐彼此合一。這也正反映出了三位一體的神本身就是和諧與合一的本質。神用代表男女之間最親密聯繫的夫妻關係來說明這一點。 ( 創世紀 2 ﹕ 24) “因此人要離開父母，和妻子連合，二人成為一體。” 起初﹐神的吩咐﹐他的希望是人與人能和睦相處。可是人類卻在這個問題上又一次跌倒﹕我們經常可見一夫多妻的現象﹐甚至到處有仇殺。在西奈山上﹐上帝吩咐了十條誡命。如果我們仔細看一看這些誡命﹐他們都是一些幫助我們彼此和睦相處的指導和準則。神的家規就是要有一個和睦相處的團體。 < 詩篇 >133 ﹕ 1 “看哪！弟兄和睦共處，是多麼的善，多麼的美。”

現在﹐聖靈已經降臨在神的兒女身上﹐ 布甚麼事呢 ﹖ < 使徒行傳 >2 ﹕ 42 “他們恆心遵守使徒的教訓，彼此相通、擘餅和祈禱。” 許多人說“相通” 這個詞是在這節經文里誕生的。它的意思是彼此有共通之處。門徒們聚在一起聆聽使徒講道﹐他們一起敬拜﹐這些都說明了他們是和睦相處﹐彼此合一的。然後﹐我們在 2 ﹕ 44-45 讀到﹕ “所有信的人都在一起，凡物公用，並且變賣產業和財物，按照各人的需要分給他們。” 他們變賣自己的財物和產業﹐按各人需要彼此分享。他們的和睦與合一 表 現在慷慨相助上。

有人說﹕“這有點像共產主義” 。但是﹐這裡有一個重要的不同之處﹕共產主義要求凡物公用是因為它不允許財產的私有化。可是在 < 使徒行傳 > ﹐我們看到私人的財產權是受到肯定的。對私人財物的分享完全是出自各人的慷慨之心。門徒們感到神對人類是如此慷慨﹐甚至不惜賜給我們他的獨生子。因此﹐我們也要彼此慷慨相待。這樣的團體才是和睦﹐合一與慷慨的。在新約的其他經文里﹐我們到處可見基督徒互相幫助的例子。

在這 教會﹐我們都真切地感受到神對於我們的慷慨。我們要學的是如何對他人慷慨相助﹐不僅是幫助教會里的弟兄姐妹﹐也要幫助在休斯頓其他地區以及在其他國家的人們。

聖經充滿有關如何和睦相處的教導與提醒。這是神起初創造人類時的心意。

結論﹕

神在五旬節的時候賜下聖靈 ---- 這標誌著一個新團體的誕生。這個團體里的成員都是把信心建立在耶穌上的人。在它誕生的過程中﹐我們看到門徒們是如何完成神起初在創造天地時對亞當和夏娃的吩咐。這個新團體繼續在世上繁殖增多﹔ 將神屬靈的兒女們充滿了 這 世界 . 這 個新團體通過順服和敬拜活 繼續活在神的愛與信實中 . 這個新團體也要彼此和睦相處。我們明白只要基督徒彼此和睦合一﹐我們就 在 反映出三位一體的上帝本身 的 和諧與合一。

我們有時會說﹕“這真是一個高標準﹐沒有人能夠實現。” 是的﹐沒有人能靠自己的力量實現這些要求。但是﹐神不是賜下吩咐就置之不管了。他還把聖靈賜給我們。當我們把主權交給聖靈的時候﹐他就會賜給我們力量做他的見證人﹐告訴別人耶穌的事﹐使我們在世上繁殖增多﹐讓神的兒女充滿這地。聖靈會幫助我們通過順服和敬拜與神建立一個愛的關係。聖靈也將供應我們所需的力量能與他人和睦相處。

Date:   03/04/2007

Text:   Acts 2:41-47

Title:   A Spirit Directed Community

Theme: Since God has given us His Holy Spirit, we are empowered to fulfill his creation mandates.

Introduction:

  In China, this year of the pig is also known as the year of the babies. We can certainly witness this here in Houston. Since January of 2007, we have 6 new born babies in our midst. I understand we have 12 more coming throughout this year. Recently when I greet you at the end of service, I get totally confused. I look at you, and not sure if you are gaining weight or pregnant. So if you see that confused look on my face, please don’t get upset. We know that the birth of a child is both and exciting and dramatic event.

There are several birth narratives in the scriptures. Today we want to focus on the narratives of creation or birth of the earth and the creation or birth of the NT church. Both narratives were creative and dramatic. Even though the writing of these events were separated by about 1000 years, and were by two different authors, yet amazingly, they were quite similar.

  The Holy Spirit was present when God created the heaven and earth. The Holy Spirit was present in a very special way when God created the NT church. The Holy Spirit gave life to Adam, He also gave life to the 1 st Christian community in Jerusalem. When God created Adam and Eve in his image; he wanted them to represent and reflect him. At the creation God gave the first men three commands or mandates. First, they were to rule the earth on his behalf, including multiplying and filling the earth. Second, to live in harmony and unity with each other. Third, continue in a spiritual and loving relationship with the creator God. Throughout the OT history, we see how men obeyed and disobeyed these commands. Yet in the midst of human sinfulness and weaknesses, God consistently enabled them to keep his mandates.

In today’s study, we’ll notice how these 3 mandates are equally present at the birth of the NT church. We want to look at what happens when the Holy Spirit comes upon his people, when the spirit is in control of the Christian community. We’ll recognize this truth that had been consistent throughout the scriptures:Since God has given us His Holy Spirit, we are empowered to fulfill his creation mandates.

I •  The Holy Spirit empowers us to fulfill God's command to fill the earth.

After Adam and Eve were created, Genesis 1:28, “ 28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and …..” God gave them the mandate to multiply and fill the earth. This was also a promise later given to Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God promised that their descendents would be like the stars in heaven and the sand on earth. When Jacob and his family first went to Egypt, there were a total of 70 people. 430 years later, by the time they left Egypt, they had grown to over 1 million. It was a mighty army, a nation chosen by God. Even as the nation of Israel continued to grow, God told the Israelites that His people would include those from all nations. Just prior to Jesus' ascension, he instructed his disciples to be his witnesses to the end of the earth.

Now, what happened when the Holy Spirit came upon God's people? In Acts 2:41, “ 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” A fter Peter preached, explaining to them that the Jesus they crucified was the Messiah, God's son, God himself; about 3000 people believed. In a very special way God brought over 3000 people into his kingdom. And then in vs. 47, we are told that in addition to this initial 3000 new converts, the Lord brought new believers to this Christian community daily. This was repeated several times in the book of Acts.

This was a visible fulfillment of God's command to multiply and fill the earth, and at the same time a clear demonstration of what is to come. As we’ve studied in recent weeks, the history of the Christian church is a perfect illustration of how God continued to fill the earth with his children. The fact we are here today, is a fulfillment of the creation mandate to multiply and fill the earth.

Several days ago, a colleague shared with me that recently his sister in China came to know the lord through a certain house church in the city. I also think of others who have come to know the Lord in this church through listening to the sermons and sharing of the gospel messages by friends.

When we continue to yield ourselves to the rule of Holy Spirit, to be filled with the spirit, he will empower us to be his witnesses. Wherever we go, representing and reflecting him, sharing with others what we have seen and heard, we’re obeying the mandate to multiply and fill the earth with God's children.

II.   The Holy Spirit empowers us to fulfill God's command to have a loving relationship with Him.

  Men were created in God's image. Besides being his representatives and reflecting him, it also implies a close relationship between the creator and the created ones. We learn from Genesis 3 how God would come to the garden, to visit Adam and Eve . We read about Enoch, Noah walked with God, continued in that loving relationship with God . God wants a close and loving relationship with his people. This loving relationship is expressed in two areas: obedience and worship.

1 •  Obedience.

God wanted Adam and Eve to obey his instruction not to eat the fruits of a certain tree in the garden. They failed. God wanted Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob to be obedient to him. At Mt. Sinai, he gave the Israelites his laws and showed them specifically how they could obey him. Obedience is not a means to enter into a relationship with God. Rather, in order to experience the fullness of this loving relationship with God, His children are to obey him. We learned from the OT how God's people consistently disobey him.

  After a long period when the Israelites had forgotten God's word, during the rule of King Josiah, they rediscovered the written scrolls in the temple. In 2 Chronicles 34:31-32 we read, “ 31 And the king stood in his place and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book. 32 Then he made all who were present in Jerusalem and in Benjamin stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.” They read God's word and obeyed.

  In Ezra 7:9, “ For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” Jesus taught his disciples, John 14:23, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." Obedient to God is important to continue in this loving relationship. God wants his people to obey him.

  What do we see on this Pentecost day? First let us take note that after Peter’s sermon, 3000 people believed in Jesus Christ. What did they do immediately? They were baptized. In Matthew 28: 19-20, “ 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," 20 "teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”" Jesus commanded his disciples to baptized the new believers. Here we saw the disciples obeyed Jesus' command and baptized. Later, whenever and wherever, individuals coming to Christ, they were baptized.

  Very often people asked why should we be baptized. Certainly there are several meaning for baptism; such as forgiveness and washing away of sins. But the very basic reason for baptism is our obedience to Jesus Christ. When we put our faith in him, we are to obey him.

  Here, we also see how the new believers devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching. The apostles were explaining how the OT teachings pointed to Jesus Christ. They helped the new believers understood the truth in OT. Later, the apostles’ teaching were written and included in what we called the New Testament. The apostles were Jesus'' spokesmen. Their words were Jesus' words and had the same authority as Jesus teaching. As God's people read and obey his words, they are really reflecting His desire when the heavens and earth were created.

  The same is with us today. God has clearly told us his desire for us in the scriptures. The scriptures show us what and how to obey God. This is the reason we encourage and urge you to be a student of God's word. We will continue to urge you to come to SS, to attend various Bible Study groups, so we know what to obey. And by obeying him, we’ll continue to live and enjoy a loving relationship with God.

2 •  Worship.

Another aspect of God's relationship with men is that he wants his people to worship him. We saw both Cain and Abel worshipped by bringing gifts to Him. Worship was a part of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob’s lives. At Mt. Sinai, God gave his people specific instructions on how to worship Him. There were also severe consequences when people failed to follow his commands. Again, God's people didn’t do too well on this. As time went on their worship became religious rituals. Their sacrifices had no meanings and were detested by God. When Jesus came, he taught his followers to worship God in spirit and truth. Truth worship has to come from one’s heart.

  Here we see the disciples and the new believers worshipping God. vs.42, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayers.” Vs.46, 47, “And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking the bread in their homes,…., praising God and…..” They prayed, broke bread and praised God. This breaking bread referred to the communion Jesus established before his death. We also notice that they were in the temple worshipping God every day, and they worshipped at home. There was both the formal and informal worship. It is a high priority to worship God. of course, later when opposition arose, they could not worship in the temple anymore, nor could they worshipped every day. There was a time when the 1 st century believers worshipped on both Saturdays and Sundays. Later they changed completely to Sunday to commemorate and celebrate Jesus' resurrection.

  I think of Christians in many countries where open worship is not allowed. Even during the darkest hours in Chinese church history, the believers would come together secretly in different homes for worship. Today, in some house churches, when the government would not let them worship in one place, they would just find another location. You see, nothing can stop them from worshipping God.

I am so glad to see you here worshipping God with other believers Sunday after Sunday. It’s also my desire that more of us will make Sunday worship a priority in life. God wants us to worship him. He tells us that in a typical week, we have 6 days to ourselves. Now, how about give him just this one day. Keep this day holy. Make this a day of worship. He loves us, and when we love him, we want to spend time with him. Yes, we spend time with him every day, but he also wants to meet with us and other believers on Sunday. When God's people worship him, we are fulfilling his command and expectation since the creation.

III.   The Holy Spirit empowers us to fulfill God's command to live in harmony and unity.   

At the time of creation, God wanted men to live in harmony and unity with each other. This is to reflect the harmony and unity of the Truine God. God used the husband and wife relationship, the most intimate form of human relationships to illustrate this. In Genesis 2:24, “ 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” At creation, God's mandate, his desire is for mankind to live in harmony and unity. Again, we failed in this area. There were polygamy and murder. At Mt. Sinai, God gave his people the 10 commandments. If we take a closer look at these commandments, they are actually rules/guidelines to help us be united and harmonious. It is God's house rule to have a peaceful community. In Psalm 133:1, “ 1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”

   Now, what happened when the Holy Spirit came upon his people? In vs.42, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship….” Many have said that the word ‘fellowship’ is born in this passage. It means to have something in common. They came together to listen to the apostles’ teaching. They worshipped together. These are all expression of harmony and unity. Moreover, we read in Vs.44-45, “ And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” They sold their possessions and belongings and share it with those in need. Their harmony and unity was expressed in the form of generosity.

  Some said, “this is like Communism.” But there is one major difference: communism wants you to share all you have because it does not believe in the possession of private property. But not here, for later in Acts we read about the affirmation of individuals’ right to own property. This sharing of belongings and possession is out of a generous heart. The believers felt that God has been so generous with us that he gave his one and only son to us. therefore, we too are to be generous to others. This is a community that is harmonious , united and generous. In the rest of the NT scriptures, we find examples after examples of how Christians helping each other.

  As a church, we have certainly experienced God's generosity towards us. Our challenge and responsibility is to learn to be generous to others. Not just to those in this church, but also in this Houston community and to people in other countries.

The scripture is full of teachings reminding and showing us how to live in harmony and unity. This is God's desire for men when he first created us.

Conclusion:

  When God poured his Spirit on his people on the Day of Pentecost, it gave birth to a new community. A community that included all those who put their faith in Jesus Christ. In studying the birth of this community, we recognized how this new community continues to fulfill the mandates God gave to Adam and Eve at the creation. This new community continues to multiply and fill the earth with God's spiritual children. This new community lives in God's love and faithfulness through obedience and worship. This new community is to live in and demonstrate harmony and unity. And by now, we probably understand that when we demonstrate this harmony and unity, we are really reflecting the perfect harmony and unity within the Triune God.

  We have certainly heard ourselves saying, “this is such a tall order, no one can ever accomplish this.” Yes, it is true, none of us can fulfill these mandates. However, God did not just give us the mandates and then left us alone. He has also given us his Holy Spirit. When we let him take hold of us, he will give us the power to be his witnesses, to tell others about him and to multiply and fill the earth with His spiritual children. He will enable us to live in a loving relationship with God through obedience and worship. He will give us the power we need to live in harmony and unity with each other.