The Greenhouse

Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. "For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself." And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation!" So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:38-41 NASB)

Not all environments are conducive to growth.  No one understood this better than the first followers of Jesus.  Thousands of people were baptized on that first day of Pentecost, declaring their faith in Jesus as the Christ.  They were turning away from the things that separated them from God and turning back to God in repentance.  They were baptized in water but clothed with Christ that day.  They had returned to the garden.  Their world, though, was anything but the garden of Eden.  They wanted to walk toward God's ideal for their lives, but had to face many inhibitors to that growth.

They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42 NASB)

The world around them wasn't conducive for growth, so they created their own environment.  They gathered together with others who were trying to walk together with God.  They dedicated themselves to walking toward the chair.  They learned together, lived life together, ate meals together, and prayed for one another.  They created a sort of "greenhouse effect" with one another.  They had created a safe environment for growth.

Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. (Acts 2:43 NASB)

They encountered God regularly in this environment.  God was at working through people.  They could see the difference God made in the lives of others in that environment.  These encounters with God affected them and changed their priorities, their task lists, and the way their days.

And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. (Acts 2:44-45 NASB)

Suddenly, they had a reason for everything they had.  Life, breath, water, and food were suddenly recognized as gifts from God.  Shelter wasn't needed just from physical elements like the weather.  It was needed from those who would try to stop them spiritually.  They needed shelter from those who wanted to stop them from drawing near to God.  So, they pooled their resources to make sure their "greenhouse" continued and grew and served all who wanted to grow.

Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts 2:46-47 NASB)

The result was the first church: a greenhouse with people walking toward the chair.  Perhaps we should say it this way.  The church is a safe environment for people to draw near to God and pursue God's design for their lives.

How about you?  Have you experienced this kind of church?  Are you a part of the "greenhouse," creating a safe environment for others?  Do you see God at work?