Belonging is Essential to Our Nature
We are social creatures. The vast majority of people join clubs, go to parties and conventions, go on dates, and many other things that evidence the desire to be with others. We find it odd when people are not social. We say, “He is so shy!” Or, “She is withdrawn and not very friendly!”
But, think about this idea in this way. Think of the people you know whom you consider to be shy or withdrawn. Now, how many of them are married or are dating? It is a simple understanding that, even though people may be shy, almost everyone wants to belong to someone or to some group.
God said in the beginning, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” (Genesis 2:18). God made a woman to be with a man because he made them both social creatures. We all have that nature to varying degrees, but almost every one of us has it to some degree.
When the Lord’s was established in Acts 2, “belonging” was a part of that founding. There were 3000 people immersed for the forgiveness of their sins following the command of Peter in that first gospel sermon. Immediately, Scriptures makes this statement. “Now all who believed were together…” (Acts 2:44). Furthermore, the text continues in verse 47, “…And the Lord added to (them) daily those who were being saved.”
It is an unfortunate rendering of the Greek language to read, “and the Lord added to the Church…” That seems to be the sentiment but that is not what the original read. These obedient people were continued to the other obedient people who had done the same thing—being immersed for the forgiveness of their sins.
Who is this group? They are the people of whom Jesus spoke when He commissioned Peter who would eventually deliver that first gospel sermon. “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:18-19).
Peter used those keys to open the door to the kingdom or Church of which Jesus spoke. What God did for those people on that Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, He has continued to do to everyone who is immersed into Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins.
Just like God had said before creating Eve, He has continued to uphold. It is not good for us to be alone. He wants to have connection to others. He has given us a place to belong. He given us a new family. Our natural sense of needing to belonging can be satisfied in this new family.
— Mike Johnson
