Christian Living

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Acts 2:38-47
38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation."
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
(NKJ)

What makes a successful church? How can you tell? Is it numbers? The local R.C. church by me has 1800 Members. Money? The Episcopal Church has plenty. Popularity? The Crystal Cathedral has that plus money and numbers. But do they have truth?

Luke 6:26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
(NKJ)

I believe a successful church is one where its people act like what they believe is actually so. Their daily decisions, long range plans and attitudes center around what God says about anything as opposed to what society, circumstance or self dictates. They want what God wants; His wind is in their sails. Are they perfect? If they were they wouldn't need Christ. But how do they deal with what's wrong with them? That’s what makes for biblical perfection or, more accurately, maturity. Whatever numbers, money or popularity they have is given by and at The Lord's discretion as He sees fit for His purposes. Success is God's approval, no one else's.

Matt 25:21 "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
(NKJ)

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