Monday, November 2, 2026

Opening Scripture

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 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, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47

Opening Prayer

Gracious Heavenly Father, you are holy and exalted! May your kingdom come and your will be done in my life, home, and community just as it is in Heaven. Help me to trust you today to meet all of my needs. Help me to forgive others just as you have forgiven me. Help me to resist temptation and overcome the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

Acts 3:1-26

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer – at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus.

“You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

“Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you – even Jesus. Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’

“Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets who have spoken have foretold these days. And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’ When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

Reflection  

Today, we begin a four-week study of Acts as part of our annual Engagement Month. Our knowledge of the early Church would be significantly diminished had the Holy Spirit not prompted Doctor Luke to write this second book to Theophilus. Luke concludes his Gospel with Jesus ascending to Heaven and His disciples returning to Jerusalem “with great joy,” hanging out together at the temple, and praising God.

Luke begins this second volume with additional information about Jesus’ activity between His resurrection and ascension. Over a forty-day period, Jesus showed Himself to His followers and gave them “many convincing proofs” that He was alive. He also told them to wait in Jerusalem until “the Holy Spirit comes on you,” at which point they would become His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the Earth.

After Luke lets us know what became of Judas Iscariot, and describes the selection of Matthias to replace him, the disciples were indeed “clothed with power from on high” at the Feast of Pentecost. The Church grew from about 120 to over 3,000 that day. “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Which brings us to today’s passage. As Peter and John were following their normal routine of going to the temple for afternoon prayer, they encountered an opportunity to do what they had seen Jesus do countless times. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, “in the name of Jesus,” they facilitated a miracle of healing. This took place as a large crowd gathered for the second daily sacrifice at the temple, and it caused quite a stir.

The forty-year-old man who had been crippled from birth made sure of that, creating a commotion by joyfully “walking and jumping and praising God.” When the crowd recognized him as the well-known beggar, “they were filled with wonder and amazement.” As the gathering of interested onlookers grew, Peter saw another opportunity and quickly took advantage of it. He preached a powerful impromptu sermon summarized by the plea, “Repent and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” That is a profound invitation still today!

Flourishing Habit

Flourishing Christians

The Book of Acts is a wonderful collection of history, theology, and ecclesiology. We are introduced to the Church – the “ecclesia” – the assembly of the called-out ones. The Church is not a building or place, not a status or prestige, but a new kind of people whose identity is in Christ.

In ancient Greek city-states like Athens, the ecclesia was the popular assembly where qualified male citizens met to vote on laws, declare war, and direct state policy. That word would now be used to describe the diverse collection of men, women, Jews, Gentiles, slave, and free who pledged their allegiance to King Jesus.

Matthew is the Gospel writer who first uses the word in this way. After Peter declares, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” Jesus replies, “On this rock (petra) I will build my church (ecclesia) and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). These are “the chosen” – the called-out ones – who would accomplish Jesus’ mission in the world.

The supernatural connection that followers of Jesus have with one another – the unity of Christian community – is derived from the Holy Spirit, actively guiding and gifting each person. As such, their lives individually and collectively testify to the saving and sanctifying power of faith in Jesus Christ. Their love for one another proves that they are His disciples.

In his Pentecost sermon, Peter clearly explains the basis for inclusion in the “ecclesia” – the Church. “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). He repeats a similar message in today’s passage.

How is your identity as one of Jesus’ chosen, called-out ones – the “ecclesia” – shaping and informing your life?

How are you demonstrating Christian love as part of our fellowship of faith?

Ask God to help you be aware of an opportunity today to do what Jesus does.

This week’s collective prayer: Father, strengthen my calling to The Great Commission. Amen.

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!