“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).

Do you know people who are just so good at opening their homes to guests? From the moment you arrive to the time you leave, you just feel welcome; you just feel loved.

A welcoming family

Before you can even make your way up the sidewalk, the front door swings open. A friendly greeting, a warm smile. “Come on in. Would you care for something to drink? Can I get you something to eat?” There’s no shortage of either. “The ball game is on in there. They are playing a game of some kind in there. I will be on the deck grilling if you care to join me.”

No matter where you land, people are taking an interest in you. They are asking you questions. About your day and your life. About your family and your job. And they are listening; they are engaged.

The children are respectful and polite, well-mannered and courteous. This husband and wife clearly love each other; their relationship is one of mutual respect, trust, and admiration. What a house! What a family! What a home! And they opened it up to you! They made you feel welcome.

A welcoming church

But it wasn’t a cookout. It wasn’t a game night. It was church. It was worship. It was Bible study. It was Holy Communion. It was prayer. “Come on in.”

It was the early Christian church, the believers in Jerusalem with Peter and John and the rest. The Holy Spirit had come on the Day of Pentecost. Remember the tongues of fire and Peter’s rousing sermon. The church grew by three thousand in just one day.

Those who stayed in Jerusalem continued to meet together around Word and sacrament. Not weekly, but daily in the temple courts. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching. They listened, they studied; they asked, they answered. And they believed what they heard and what they were taught.

And they didn’t merely listen to the Word; they actually did what it said. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching by living it and putting it into practice. These Christians, new to the faith, were full of godly energy and enthusiasm. They were thoughtful and kind, loving and generous. “Come on in. To our church, to our family, to our homes.” And the Lord added to their number. Daily.

“Come on in.” To the pages of my Holy Word. Hear them, read them, study them, and take them to heart.

A welcoming Savior

“Come on in.” Into my family. A shallow bowl of warm water. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I’ll adopt you as my own. I’ll put my name on you. You will be my child.

“Come on in.” To the pages of my Holy Word. Hear them, read them, study them, and take them to heart. Page after page, word after word. My love, my compassion, my faithfulness. For you. My grace, my mercy, my forgiveness. For the world.

“Come on in.” For a meal, my Holy Supper. Take and eat. Take and drink. Sinless flesh sacrificed. Innocent blood shed. Personal assurance. The forgiveness of sins.

“Come on in.” Take your inheritance, the one prepared for you since the creation of the world. A heavenly banquet, a heavenly feast, a heavenly home.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, give me a heart like yours that invites and welcomes others in to dine with me on your grace and to feast with me on your love in the pages of your Word. Amen.

Author: Stephen Helwig
Volume 112, Number 06
Issue: June 2025