I wonder what Christians 2,000 years in the future (if the Lord tarries) might think about the church community of the 21st century. What description might they unearth that aptly describes the typical church experience of today? I decided to rewrite Acts 2:42-47 phrase by phrase, trying to capture the experience of many Christians today.
ACTS 2: 42 – 47 REWRITTEN FOR 21ST CENTURY
42 The believers dabbled in the Bible, maybe reading the “Verse of the Day” on their phone app as they rush out the door. They occasionally attended church, putting in their one hour and often avoiding any real fellowship. As for breaking bread, the church offered a quick Wednesday night meal on plastic chairs in the basement for busy families hurrying from after school activities to tuition classes or music lessons to grocery shopping. They usually only prayed in times of crisis.
43 Boredom and apathy was upon most everyone, because there was nothing supernatural or awe inspiring about the pastor and the church’s ministry.
44 People largely kept their faith life private, in a separate religious box they opened only on Sundays for an hour. 45 The rest of the week they worked hard for their own family’s wellbeing, trying to get ahead, pay their own bills, and attain the American Dream. Some in the church were barely scraping by but nobody knew, and the needy usually felt too ashamed to ask for financial help.
46 Every day, the believers rarely saw their church friends, as their everyday lives were centered around other people and activities — work functions, kids’ activities, etc. They were too busy and stressed (or embarrassed about their messy houses) to have people over for dinner, so they often ate their food alone with tired and weary hearts.
47 They muttered a quick silent prayer as their heads hit the pillow, and very few of their coworkers and non-church friends even knew they were Christians. They kept dragging themselves to church each week to put in their obligatory hour; but the church rarely saw any new visitors and there hadn’t been a new convert and baptism in years.
ACTS 2: 42 – 47 ORIGINAL (NIV)
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 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, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Let this contrast inspire us all to continue striving for the kind of church community God desires for His people!
(JEREMY BERG)