In the Church But Not in Christ
Rev. Tse Amable | January 20 2025 | Acts 2:5-13
KEY VERSE: “Now there were then residing in Jerusalem Jews, DEVOUT AND GOD-FEARING MEN FROM EVERY COUNTRY UNDER HEAVEN.” Acts 2:5 (AMP)
MESSAGE:
The large number of people who were in Jerusalem to celebrate the Festival of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2, points to a fact that we note about the state of the Church of Jesus Christ. St. Luke carefully pointed out that the celebrants were *“DEVOUT AND GOD-FEARING MEN* FROM EVERY COUNTRY UNDER HEAVEN.” They were very deeply religious, but they were not in Christ. It was from this number that 3,000 precious souls responded to the altar call made by the Apostle Peter (see Acts 2:41). As we see in our text, these “DEVOUT AND GOD-FEARING MEN” were ignorant of the move of Jehovah (the outpouring of the Holy Spirit) and chose instead to make fun of and ridicule the disciples who were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:13).
Our congregations and denominations today have hundreds and thousands of such self-confessing Christians. At best, we will call them “NOMINAL CHRISTIANS” – CHRISTIANS ONLY IN NAME. These are the people the Apostle Paul described as “having a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:5). The Living Bible rendered the Apostle Paul's words as “THEY WILL GO TO CHURCH, YES, BUT THEY WON’T REALLY BELIEVE ANYTHING THEY HEAR.” They are like the Church of Laodicea, where Jesus Christ stood outside the church door, knocking and asking to be let in (Revelation 3:20).
It will only take a genuine visitation of the Holy Spirit in a revival that will expose such MEMBERS WHO ARE IN THE CHURCH BUT NOT IN CHRIST to bring them to saving faith in Jesus Christ. That only happens when the whole church hungers, thirsts, and prays for an in-house revival.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Examine yourself to see whether you are in the faith; test yourself. Do you not realise that Christ Jesus is in you and that you are in Him?
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, open our eyes to see the people who worship with us but are outside the kingdom of heaven so that we can reach out to them and, through the free salvation of faith, bring them into Christ. Amen! THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 20: Genesis 27 — Jacob Deceives Isaac to Obtain the Blessing
DAILY word study: DEVOUT
The word devout in Acts 2:5 is translated from the Greek word "eulabēs" (εὐλαβής), which means "reverent," "pious," or "God-fearing." The root implies careful reverence toward God and sacred matters.
In Acts 2:5, the term "devout" refers to the Jews present in Jerusalem for Pentecost. These individuals were religiously observant and outwardly committed to God’s commands. However, as the context shows, their devotion lacked a transformational relationship with Jesus Christ. This highlights the distinction between external religiosity and true faith in Christ. Theologically, it underscores the need for personal salvation through faith in Jesus, beyond ceremonial adherence. Reflection: Is your devotion marked by a genuine relationship with Jesus or by mere outward observance? True devotion flows from a heart transformed by His Spirit. Take time to reflect on your walk with Christ and let Him align your reverence with true faith.
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