In this passage of the Bible, a little story about David, the patriarch's, death and how he rose to God is told. It is said that no one witnesses his death or witnesses what he has witnessed but the word of God rings true within him. One can base this whole passage on the concept of belief and our own belief in God and the word of God. It does not matter if anyone else is able to witness our love to God because in the end there is only two important witnesses that really matter: yourself and the Lord himself. God should be the only one we should worry about when it comes to the subject of judgment.
There is that “joke” that I am sure many people have heard, whether you're Christian or not when it comes to worship and coming to church: why can't I just pray and worship alone at home? Most likely your first reaction is rolling your eyes and thinking how pathetic and lazy that is being. However, putting joking and laziness aside, sometimes praying at home and alone can be the most intimate you have with God. If you think about it, what is there to bother you in the privacy of your own home if you are absolutely alone? It is just you and God, one on one, with nothing or no one else around. Plus, if one is taking the time to be alone with God without others to see then it shows they are only doing it for God and not to seem great and righteous in the eyes of others.
In verses 42-43 it states the following: “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.” The people had devoted themselves to the faith of God and realized what amazing things they can do with God in their lives. That is a revelation that makes you feel good right there; in the soul and heart. That revelation changes you for the better and your relationship with God becomes even stronger after you two had worked together on faith.
The revelation that comes from devotion is something that atheists and agnostics can't understand and it is a shame that they can't experience. An agnostic is someone that isn't really if sure if there is a God in this world to protect and guide them and if they were somehow able to experience some sort of revelation through faith they question more than get that good feeling; “was that REALLY God? Did God honestly make this happen?” It's fine to question but an agnostic is only questioning it because of doubt and hesitant disbelief. On the other hand an atheist is someone who doesn't think there is any God out there, there is no Jesus or anything of that sort. Jesus is knocking is at the door but they're deaf to it and afraid of it and it will remain that way until they change themselves and realize faith isn't a spectacle, it should never be a spectacle, but however a belief is something you feel. It's that same feeling David had when he was with God; in verse 25 it tells us: David said about him: "'I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” David had that intimate faith with God all along and agnostics and atheists lost that; it just happens.
When all is over and lost, we find that intimate moment with God again and come back to him ready to learn the fellowship like the people had done long ago in the New Testament; it's usually small and faint and grows at different paces depending on the person. You find ways and people to help you realize the greatness that God's love can bring and when you have that intimate moment again as you make your way into your own true belief of God, you know he is there and is your witness with everything and fear is no more. Those moments will come again and again throughout your journey with faith and God. That is why David had stated: Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave.” David isn't the only one to have this feeling, that is the feeling we all get with God because we know he is our witness.
Acts 2:22–47
22You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know — 23this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. 24But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. 25For David says concerning him,There is that “joke” that I am sure many people have heard, whether you're Christian or not when it comes to worship and coming to church: why can't I just pray and worship alone at home? Most likely your first reaction is rolling your eyes and thinking how pathetic and lazy that is being. However, putting joking and laziness aside, sometimes praying at home and alone can be the most intimate you have with God. If you think about it, what is there to bother you in the privacy of your own home if you are absolutely alone? It is just you and God, one on one, with nothing or no one else around. Plus, if one is taking the time to be alone with God without others to see then it shows they are only doing it for God and not to seem great and righteous in the eyes of others.
In verses 42-43 it states the following: “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.” The people had devoted themselves to the faith of God and realized what amazing things they can do with God in their lives. That is a revelation that makes you feel good right there; in the soul and heart. That revelation changes you for the better and your relationship with God becomes even stronger after you two had worked together on faith.
The revelation that comes from devotion is something that atheists and agnostics can't understand and it is a shame that they can't experience. An agnostic is someone that isn't really if sure if there is a God in this world to protect and guide them and if they were somehow able to experience some sort of revelation through faith they question more than get that good feeling; “was that REALLY God? Did God honestly make this happen?” It's fine to question but an agnostic is only questioning it because of doubt and hesitant disbelief. On the other hand an atheist is someone who doesn't think there is any God out there, there is no Jesus or anything of that sort. Jesus is knocking is at the door but they're deaf to it and afraid of it and it will remain that way until they change themselves and realize faith isn't a spectacle, it should never be a spectacle, but however a belief is something you feel. It's that same feeling David had when he was with God; in verse 25 it tells us: David said about him: "'I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” David had that intimate faith with God all along and agnostics and atheists lost that; it just happens.
When all is over and lost, we find that intimate moment with God again and come back to him ready to learn the fellowship like the people had done long ago in the New Testament; it's usually small and faint and grows at different paces depending on the person. You find ways and people to help you realize the greatness that God's love can bring and when you have that intimate moment again as you make your way into your own true belief of God, you know he is there and is your witness with everything and fear is no more. Those moments will come again and again throughout your journey with faith and God. That is why David had stated: Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave.” David isn't the only one to have this feeling, that is the feeling we all get with God because we know he is our witness.
'I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken;
26therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
moreover my flesh will live in hope.
27For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One experience corruption.
28You have made known to me the ways of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.'
29Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. 31Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying,
'He was not abandoned to Hades,
nor did his flesh experience corruption.'
32This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. 33Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear. 34For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
'The Lord said to my Lord,
"Sit at my right hand,
35until I make your enemies your footstool." '
36Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified."
37Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" 38Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him." 40And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. 42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
43Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
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