"Speaking Faith" (Acts 2:37-42)

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The passage we have read from Acts chapter 2 follows after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and Peter’s great first sermon. In verse 37, we see the response of many – “they were cut to the heart”. Such was the impact of Peter’s message, especially as it revealed how people had been misguided about who Jesus was. Now many would want to investigate further about Jesus, and potentially commit their lives to him. To the original 120-odd believers, three thousand persons were added as a result of the events of this day (v 41). 

Also, in verse 37, we see the question that was asked that day … in response to Peter’s sermon. This is a question we should always be asking when it comes to Jesus … and our relationship with Jesus. “What should we do”? This is NOT just a one-off question about receiving grace and salvation – this should be the great discipleship question – how do we follow Jesus each day? In verse 42, we can see that those three thousand new believers … didn’t just wander back to their normal lives. They … “devoted themselves”! After their baptism as believers, they wanted to learn about following Jesus, and they wanted to stick together … in their house churches ... and be a community of people that represented something really revolutionary and exciting. 

So … they “devoted themselves” – to the “apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and the prayers”. “Fellowship” – a priority on being together and growing together … we talked about this last week. “The breaking of bread” – part of this would be the hospitality and welcome we can bring to one another, and part of this would be ‘communion’ – the remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice through the bread and the cup (these being originally connected within the worship practices of house churches). 

“The prayers” – NOT just being a praying person, but involved in the prayer-life of the community – joining together in solidarity around all the prayer needs of the community (and also being able to celebrate the great outcomes of God’s faithfulness to us). Our church becomes our spiritual family – brothers and sisters on a similar journey – able to encourage and support one another – and we want to be together – worshipping and praying together. But my emphasis today … is on the “teaching” that would have been happening within these gatherings. Such “teaching” is always crucial!

Teaching 

Initially, with only the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) available, the disciples and leaders of these house churches, empowered by the Holy Spirit, would have been telling the stories about Jesus, and how the activities of Jesus fulfilled all the best expectations of Israel (as Peter had just done in his sermon). They would also be able to point out God’s intentions for the grace of God and the ministry of Jesus … to reach out right across the world’s people groups. Immediate and significant teaching needed to take place, so that, as Peter had said (in verse 40), the people could be saved from this “corrupt generation”. 

It wasn’t just going to be a one-off decision for Jesus (on one particular day) that would achieve this, but rather a total “devotion” to an ongoing life of learning. “What should we do” – that question again! How will we learn what we need to know (and believe) to escape the negativity and destruction of any “corrupt generation”?! These days, we, right here, have the full scriptures, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us, and we have the vast resources of each other … through which to learn what we will need! 

Those with the calling, maturity, experience and special gifting … will take the lead and show the way, but we all get to speak truth into other people’s lives. Here, we are talking about the deep investment we need to make in teaching people how they can establish, maintain, develop and thrive … in their relationship with God, and in their life of following Jesus. We all need to be ‘speaking faith’. As we notice any incidences associated with a “corrupt generation”, it is our responsibility, NOT to just complain or recall memories of better times, but to actively participate in ‘speaking faith’. 

Although we may have to make some level of concerted effort here, in another way it should really just come naturally – the organic outcome of knowing Jesus. In each of the conversations we have in life, there should be some sense of our faith in God. Not to say God is mentioned by name every time. Not to say that there is any deliberate targeted intent about this every time. It’s just that it should be natural that every participant in our conversation … is alerted to the fact that we have faith in God. This may also extend to an appreciation that we follow Jesus – that our lives are centred on him (our Saviour and Lord). 

Of course, ‘speaking faith’ is NOT just about words. It’s also about the way we carry ourselves, our body language (as this is related to our words). This is again about our level of resurrection joy, and the hopeful way we think about future opportunities in life. This is also about that peace we can convey, because we know Jesus, even in the midst of the most strident challenges. This is about our willingness to love our neighbour, sometimes against the tide of other people’s opinions. This is about showing up the problems of individualism, consumerism, and various others addictions – bringing them into the light of Jesus.

Training 

One of the most important places to ‘speak faith’, is of course in our home, especially where there are young children, or impressionable young adults. Clearly, their spiritual formation would be a priority for us. This could be called ‘training’, where ‘training’ can be defined as “teaching toward a challenge” (So the Next Generation Will Know by McDowell & Wallace). This is like the training ‘first responders’ do, making sure they are ready for a variety of possible threats. 

We need to gently and patiently, yet assuredly, live truth into the next generation. We will surely accept any sacrifice of time or effort that this entails. Again, the more we practice, the easier it becomes. Here is a quote from a very recent book entitled Growing With (by Kara Powell & Steven Argue):

Faith in families has become a lost language, a segmented category, the fancy room in the house that we visit but don’t live in. Parents can bring ‘faithing’ language back into everyday life by finding small ways to “speak” it again. Like any language, it will seem awkward at first, but consistency will bring fluency. 

These writers go on to talk about speaking (simple) prayers over their children at the beginning of each day – and in no time we may find our children praying for us! We can also use text messages to reassure our older children, and others, about God’s presence with them. We will need to enter our children’s world (knowing that each of them is different), ask genuine questions, and be really good listeners. We will need to give them (theological) tools to help them discern (over time) the difference between what is true and what is false. 

The catalyst for such conversations … may be something that happens at school, a troubling world event, or the illness or death of a loved one. There is actually a Christian and biblical way of thinking about everything! However just abstract statements about what the Bible says will likely NOT be enough. There will need to be some thinking and explanation as to how this actually makes sense in life and works for good. Enquiring others will need to hear 'why' is it true and important for us, and then reasons 'why' it could matter to them. Parents will have to work out when this is best achieved – at meal times together, or some other time. 

Our great hope, in this, is read in Proverbs 22:6 – Train children in the right way, and when old, they will NOT stray. To ‘speak faith’, in such ways, means that our children, and others, will notice that our faith is the foundation of our life, that which holds everything else together. In other words, faith in Jesus is our anchor. Everything else in our lives … is grounded around that anchor … that we have set into the ‘rock’. And the words associated with an anchor, in Hebrews 6:19 are: “sure and steadfast”. 

Back in my Boys’ Brigade days, the leaders had us often reflecting on the anchor of Hebrews 6:19 – it was a symbol that was reflected in most of the traditional badges you could gain. And we had to sing the hymn where the chorus ran, “We have an anchor that keeps the soul – steadfast and sure while the billows roll; fastened to the rock which cannot move – grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love”. I believe … where I am today, is a witness to that sort of investment … made in me! 

Our JAM program promotes the centrality of faith in God and the saving work of Jesus. But the surety of the value of this faith … needs to be lived out in every conversation and every act. We cannot shift to Sunday School teachers what needs to happen … day in and day out … in our homes. Consistency will be everything. We need to model what we teach. Our character needs to stand up to scrutiny. People, especially the young, can even judge God … through looking at us. 

Yet, don’t be too disheartened, or too worried – for when we fail ourselves and others, this in itself can become a good learning curve, because with open and honest repentance, we are renewed with an even greater appreciation of mercy, forgiveness, and the power of the Holy Spirit for change. Therefore, we will do better next time. We can continually embrace fresh confidence in the gospel. This all takes us back to our knees, seeking wisdom in being a faithful role model for the next generation (McDowell & Wallace). 

Relationships 

We need to be fully committed to the spiritual well-being of others – especially those closest to us. Many people, young, and sometimes not so young, are asking questions like: ‘Who am I?’, ‘Where do I belong?’, and, ‘Does my life have any meaning?’. These ones are often ready for a serious conversation. We need to start with a genuine love and appreciation of others, then let God speak through us. 

It will be the depth of our relationship with God through Jesus, our willingness and openness to be taught ourselves, and the quality of our relationships with others – that will allow our responses and teaching to find receptive ears. We will need to have done our own work on our worldviews and our belief systems … in terms of the teaching of Jesus. We will need to be ready and open to questioning, hear other people’s doubts, and be ready to search out answers. Amen.