Radical Hospitality: Learning from the Early Church 🏠💬

Have you ever caught yourself wishing that church today felt a little more like it did in the book of Acts? I know I have. Over the years, I’ve had countless conversations with people—friends, church members, fellow believers—who’ve said something like, “Why can’t we have what they had back then?”

You know what? That’s a fair question. Wanting more unity, more community, and more of God’s power at work among us is something worth pursuing.

But here’s what I’ve realized: we often think of “church” as the pastor, the staff, or maybe even just the building. The truth is, church is all of us. Every single member. Every heart and hand. If we want to see our church grow into something truly special—a place where people feel loved, where lives are changed, and where God’s Spirit is moving—it’s going to take each of us playing our part.

So, let’s take a look at what made that early church so vibrant, and how we can follow their lead.

1.

It All Started with a Deep Commitment 💪

After the day of Pentecost, when 3,000 people came to faith, it must have been electric. Imagine that—thousands of people, all fired up, excited about what God was doing.

But what stands out to me is that they didn’t just ride the wave of emotion. They dug in. They stuck with it. They made a commitment, and it showed up in four really practical ways:

They Loved to Learn 📖

They couldn’t get enough of the apostles’ teaching. And get this—they didn’t even have the New Testament yet! No Gospels, no letters from Paul. Just stories of Jesus and the Old Testament, now seen in a whole new light. And they still leaned in, eager to grow.

They Shared Life Together 🤝

The word “fellowship” gets thrown around a lot, but for them, it was real. It meant sharing everything. It wasn’t about “what’s yours is mine, and what’s mine stays mine.” No, they opened their hearts—and their homes—to one another.

They Broke Bread 🥖

Back then, who you ate with said a lot about who you were. Eating together crossed social lines, broke down barriers. It wasn’t fancy meals—they probably just had bread and wine—but it was meaningful.

They Prayed… a Lot 🙏

Prayer wasn’t just a routine. It was their lifeline. It brought them closer to God, and closer to each other.

And you know what happened because of this? People were in awe. Not just because of miracles, but because of the transformation they saw in those believers’ lives.

2.

They Were All In—Together 🫱🫲

Their faith wasn’t a Sunday thing. It wasn’t just about showing up to the temple and heading home. Their whole lives were intertwined.

They Were Generous to a Fault 💸

If someone had a need, others stepped up. Some even sold what they had to make sure no one went without. That kind of generosity? That only comes from truly loving each other.

They Showed Up Every Day 🏛️

They gathered daily, not because they had to, but because they wanted to. They learned together, prayed together, and looked out for each other.

They Opened Their Homes 🏡

It wasn’t about impressing anyone. Just simple meals and real connection. That’s hospitality at its best.

And the Result? Pure Joy 😊

There was a deep gladness and unity among them. They didn’t just attend church—they were the church. And it showed.

3.

They Saw God Move in Big Ways 🌱

Here’s what I love: their faithfulness didn’t just stay inside the walls of their homes or the temple.

Their Praise Was Real 🎶

Not just singing for show, but genuine praise that came from obedient hearts.

People Noticed 🌍

At first, people were skeptical—even afraid. But over time, the way they cared for each other drew people in.

And God Responded ✝️

Every day, more and more people were added to their number. Every. Single. Day.

Let’s Bring It Home 💬

I really believe we can experience something like this in our own churches today. But it’s not automatic. It takes a choice—a commitment.

Let me ask you:

• Are you in this for the long haul, or just riding on emotions?
• Are you hungry for the Word—both to learn and to teach?
• Are you willing to help create fellowship, not just wait for others to include you?
• Are you opening your life to others—yes, even sharing a meal or two?
• Are you praying daily for your church family, believing that God still works miracles?

If more of us said “yes” to these things, I believe our church atmosphere would change. There’d be more joy, more openness, and yes—more people coming to know Jesus.

Final Thought 🌟

Do you long for our church to look more like the church in Acts?

Then let’s not just wish for it—let’s live it out. Let’s commit, together.

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