The people who made up the early Church knew that ministry couldn’t be contained within the walls of a building. While they did gather in a specific location, they also dispersed into the surrounding community – they met in their homes and “enjoyed the goodwill of all the people.” Acts 2:47 says that “each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”
How did this growth happen? Matthew 5:16 sums it up pretty well: “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Instead of confining their worship inside a temple, the members of the early Church demonstrated the love of Christ out in the open, which drew more and more people in. When we put our faith on display in the world around us, we show others what life with Christ can look like.
This opportunity to demonstrate our faith must be stewarded well. The way we live our lives can show others the value of a relationship with God, or it can cause them to be disgusted by church. Colossians 3:7-10 reminds us that, as followers of Christ, we are to become more like Jesus in how we live our lives. It’s by following this example that we can show others the love of Jesus and get them curious about following him themselves!