Thus far, this week, we have witnessed the effects of the transforming power of God on his people, focusing specifically on the activities that this group participated in, not out of coercion or duty, but out of the overflow of God’s love and power in their hearts and lives. To review, they sat under the apostles’ teaching (for they were hungry to learn more about Jesus); they continued living in fellowship with the church, participating in the breaking of bread (the Lord’s Supper and probably also meals together); and they were devoted to prayer. They also sold property and possessions and then distributed the proceeds to those in need through a supernatural display of generosity and love. As we pick up our study again today in verse 46, we are told that day by day, they continued in worship, eating their meals in various houses together with thankful and sincere hearts, giving God the praise. One commentator said that, “They were peculiarly loving and kind to one another, had a deep concern for each other’s welfare, and were constantly ready to help each other in any way in their power, suffering no one to want what another had.” And then, at the end of verse 46 and in verse 47, we see the effect this community had on those around them: they had favor with all the people, and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. And you can understand why! Wouldn’t you want to be a part of a community like this? Wouldn’t you be drawn to the same Jesus that changed these people’s lives? 

We talk a lot at Rio about our call to tell people about Jesus (and that is important!), but wherever there is a group of people obviously held together by a living Christ, manifesting in their lives and character the likeness of that Christ, and sacrificially giving their lives away after the fashion of that Christ, they do more for the world around them than they could ever do by simply speaking. Simply put, God will add to our number daily when we love each other the way that he loves us! (John 13:34-35)