Welcome to 34 A.D.

The apostles were doing many miracles and signs, and everyone felt great respect for God. All the believers were together and shared everything. They would sell their land and the things they owned and then divide the money and give it to anyone who needed it. The believers met together in the Temple every day. They ate together in their homes, happy to share their food with joyful hearts. They praised God and were liked by all the people. Every day the Lord added those who were being saved to the group of believers.----Acts 2:43-47

Acts gives us a clear picture of what 1st century church was like---believers lived together, shared their money, ate together, and met in the temple every day. They lived in true community---supporting, encouraging, and helping each other. They gave up everything---their homes, their money, their jobs---To spend time with each other and with God.

In today's world, we would consider these people crazy, cloud-cuckoo fanatics. What's interesting is, they were living exactly how Jesus commanded them to---to sell all they had and give it to the poor; take up your cross daily, etc.

Theology teaches us that we shouldn't take these commands of Jesus so literally---Maybe he just intended the whole "sell your stuff" thing for one particular individual; Maybe "taking up your cross" just means being nice, doing good things for people, and maybe occasionally praying or reading your Bible.

Or just maybe He meant exactly what He said.

These are hard teachings indeed. Many of us Christians highlight the hound out of Bibles, underlining the verses that inspire and comfort us. We don't usually make much note of the things that drive us toward community--- It's not a style or worship music or a cool 5 step growth program, it's a lifestyle that draws the kingdom of heaven closer into being reality; a lifestyle of giving, sharing, loving, laughing, crying, and pouring out our lives for the sake of the cross, and for the sake of each other.

The end results are fabulous---Acts says that they were liked by all people...every day people were added to the numbers of new believers.

This is the concept that Delta is striving to get across to students when we do 34 A.D. on Sunday nights---community. Community where you share your hearts, hurts, and triumphs. Community where you pour out your worship to Christ, and give your lives to each other. This is the ultimate growth program for churches---advance the kingdom of heaven by loving God, loving people, and truly taking up your crosses...Then you'll see miracles happen.