Encountering God The Spirit

“All the believers were together and had everything in common.”—Acts 2:44 (NIV)

One of life’s biggest questions is, “Where do I belong?” At some point, every single person will ask this question. We all have a desire to know where we fit in, where we can add value, and who our people are.

In Acts 2, we see the Holy Spirit answer this question for us. The chapter starts with Pentecost and the Holy Spirit coming upon the believers. This moment in church history changes everything. Yes, Jesus died, rose again, and then ascended to heaven, but He didn’t leave us alone. In Acts 1:8 (NIV), Jesus tells us, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Jesus sent us a helper who will do great things in and through us.

After the Holy Spirit comes, the apostle Peter preaches a message and 3,000 people accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. And what happens next is incredible. I could describe it, but the Bible says it so much better. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:42–47 NIV).

Now that’s a community I want to belong in. That’s a place where I feel like I would matter. People are reading the Word, worshiping, and praying together. They’re sharing their possessions, looking out for one another, and eating together (that’s one of my favorite parts). And the best part of all was people were coming to Christ daily! The world looked on at this amazing community where everyone had a sense of belonging and said, “I want that!”

This is what happens when we draw near to the Holy Spirit. He does a work in our hearts and lives where we no longer look out just for ourselves, but for others around us—where we gain a sense of belonging in the body of Christ we couldn’t find anywhere else, and where we see the spiritual gifts He’s given us to operate in and realize we get to be a part of His work here on earth.

So, cling tight to the Holy Spirit. He’ll use you in incredible ways!