Happy Thanksgiving!

Count your blessings name them one by one… and it will surprise you what the Lord has done. 

We sing those words often in our church services and I want to take a moment to tell you about some of the things that I am thankful for this year, as we are on the eve of Thanksgiving.

If I took the time to name them one by one, I would be writing into next week.  I’ll spare you that, but it really is true. 

I will name only a few, because the song says, it is surprising how good the Lord has been to me (us).  I am thankful for the fact that I live in the Greatest Country in the history of the world, even though we seem to be bent on turning away from God.  God has blessed us so richly and I am thankful about that,  how about you?

I am thankful for my family, my parents, who brought me up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, my wife, my daughter, my sister and nephews, etc.

I am thankful that I am gainfully employed .

I am thankful that I have a wonderful church family, who cares and is interested in me and my life.

And most of all, I am thankful that God gave His son for me and that I obeyed His gospel and am saved because of the Blood of Christ.

I am thankful that He is patient with me and all of my flaws.

Happy Thanksgiving and my prayer is that God will continue to Bless America.

What was I supposed to be?

As I continue to write on the subject of Abortion.  I must first state, that this is one of my pet peeves.  It’s not a political issue, but we have turned it over to the politicians and they have fumbled it so badly that, that ball is still bouncing.

Our incoming Vice-President Joe Biden, the soon-to-be former senator from Delaware, who has been in Washington for far too long, was quoted as saying that he fought hard for Roe v. Wade.  He fought hard against the appointment of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court (a Ronald Reagan appointee) and gladly said “Thank God Bork is not on the Court, or Roe v. Wade would be overturned today.”

Excuse Me!  Thank God that a man who stands up for Life and could have actually done something about eliminating that dreadful ruling is not on the Supreme Court.  Oh, Joe, are you backing the wrong horse.

You know, we call Hitler a monster for what he did in killing the Jews, but what do we say about us, we have killed over 44 million unborn children since 1973 when Roe v Wade was passed?  How about hypocrites.  God help us and we just made a man who proudly fought against what God stands for and put him one heartbeat from the presidency.

I read where former NFL quarterback Michael Vick is back in the news concerning his sentencing for his role in dog fighting.  Remember the outcry that produced?  It was unbelieveable.  Granted that was not a good or even, a smart thing for Vick to do , but where was/is the outcry for the hundreds of unborn children who are murdered every day in this country?  It’s nowhere.  You don’t hear a living, breathing peep, but mistreat and kill a few dogs and Micheal Vick is right there with Hitler, Stalin and Mussolini.

For those who want to argue, that an unborn child is not a human being, it’s a fetus, or tissue, the Bible makes no distinction between the born and the unborn.  In Jeremiah 1:5 God said he knew him in the womb.  John the Baptist lept in his womb when it was announced the Mary was pregnant with Jesus, Luke 1:44.  

God is highly offended when a child, born or unborn is harmed.  — Proverbs 6:17, Matthew 18:3-5, Matthew 19:14. 

There was a poem written entitled What Was I Supposed to Be?  Written from the standpoint of the unborn child who was not given the opportunity to live because he/she was aborted.  The Christian music group Acappella also made this poem into a song.

What Was I Supposed to Be?

As Jesus walked upon the earth, on the shores of Gallilee,

He’d say to his disciples, “Let the little children come to me.”

I wonder if up in heaven, do you suppose you’ll see,

Little children asking, “What was I supposed to be?”

“What was I supposed to be?” “What were my eyes supposed to see?”

“Why did I taste of death, Before I even drew a breath,

Or lay my head on my mother’s breast to sleep?”

“Oh, Jesus, what was I supposed to be?”

“Was I to be a prophet used in the ministry?”

“A doctor who would find a cure, for some terrible disease?”

“Even if I had been born imperfect why couldn’t my parents see I’d have been made perfect,

when you came back for me?”

“Oh Jesus, what was I supposed to be?” “Jesus, What was I supposed to be?”

When we will band together and stop the real war, the war against human life, the unborn child, that began in 1973?

A Very Wise Doctor

The following is something that was e-mailed to me on a topic that I plan to write plenty about in the coming weeks.  That is Abortion.  I wish everyone felt the way this way toward abortion.  If they did, Roe v. Wade would be overturned tomorrow.

A quick thank you to my dad for me sending me this.

 

A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said:

‘Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 yr. old and I’m pregnant again. I don’t want kids so close together.’ So the doctor said: ‘Ok, and what do you want me to do?’ She said: ‘I want you to end my pregnancy, and I’m counting on your help with this.’ The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the

lady: ‘I think I have a better solution for your problem. It’s less dangerous for you too.’

She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request.

Then he continued: ‘You see, in order for you not to have to take care of 2 babies at the same time, let’s kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we’re going to kill one of them, it doesn’t matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms. The lady was horrified and said: ‘No doctor! How terrible! It’s a crime to kill a child!

 

‘I agree’, the doctor replied. ‘But you seemed to be ok with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution. The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point.

 

He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that’s already been born and one that’s still in the womb. The crime is the same!

Some Kinds of Church Members

I was taught that if we belong to the church of Christ then we need to be a church like Christ.  I received a bulletin that gave an examination of some members of the church.  This is in no way to judge, but to examine ourselves, see where we are and where we need to be.

Some members are like a:

Wheelbarrow — does nothing unless pushed.

Kite — keep a string on them or they will fly away.

Kitten — contented only when petted.

Football — hard to tell which way they will go.

Wagon — need to be pulled.

Watch — full of good works.

Christ Like — ready to let the Spirit lead.

We all need to strive for the last one, I have fit the description of the examples in the message throughout my Christian walk.  If one of those match you, take a step back and examine where you are, and then make the necessary adjustments to be Christ Like.

Things You Just Can’t Do

The following is from a church bulletin and I believe it to be absolutely correct. 

Things You Just Can’t Do

Sow bad habits and reap good character.

Sow jealousy and hatred and reap love and friendship.

Sow dissipation and reap a healthy body.

Sow deception and reap confidence.

Sow cowardice and reap courage.

Sow neglect of the Bible and reap a well guided life.

We as Christians struggle against each and every one these things in some form or fashion.  We must remember to keep pressing on for the prize that awaits us.  There is always help in the time of trouble from prayer and supplication to God and leaning on our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ for strength.

Thank You

Thank you to all the veterans who have served and sacrificed to preserve the freedoms that God has given us.  If you see or talk to a veteran today, thank them.

The Power of One

The Power of One

Introduction: It’s a great feeling to be Number One.  So many people put so much importance on being No. 1.  There is also faction who think that No. 1 is not that big of a deal, for example.  It’s only one time, whether it’s drugs, alcohol, or sex or any other sinful activity.  A smoker didn’t become a smoker until he smoked just one, a drug addict didn’t become a drug addict until he tried it just once.  A pregnancy out of wedlock didn’t occur until a couple not married committed fornication just once.  You get the point.  I want to write today on the subject of the Power of One.

 

I.                    One Sin

Sin is a violation of God’s law.  Rebellion to God’s will. 

      Adam & Eve — Genesis 3:24.  One sin got them thrown out of the Garden of Eden.

      Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land, because of one sin, striking the rock when he was only supposed to speak to it, that didn’t match up with what God wanted to do and that was his punishment.

      Ananias & Sapphira — Acts 5, they died after one lie. 

      Lot’s Wife — Genesis 19:26.  Was told not to look back as they leaving Sodom & Gommorrah as it was being destroyed, she did and was turned into a pillar of salt.

      There are many more examples but I think you’re getting the picture.

 

II. One Lord

            Jesus

            I Am statements in John.

                        John 6:35, John 9:5, John 11:25, John 14:6, John 15:5

            Galatians 1:4

            John 1:29

            Acts 4:11-12

 

      III. One Faith

            Hebrews 11:1, 6

            Romans 10:17

            Ephesians 4:4-5

            Ephesians 2:8

            James 2:17

 

      IV. One Baptism

What it can do for you. It’s where the promise to save me is kept (Mark 16:16).                

It’s where I received a new birth, born of water and the Spirit (John 3:3-5).

It’s when my sins are forgiven and I receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).

It’s where my sins are washed away (Acts 22:16).

It’s where I receive a new life and the chance to start over (Romans 6:3-4).

It’s where I am set from sin to become a slave of righteousness (Romans 6:17-18).

It’s where I am baptized into one body by the one Spirit (1Corinthians 12:13).

It’s where I am clothed me as a son of God and receive the security of his blood (Galatians 3:26-27).

It’s where my sinful nature is cut away with the circumcising of my heart (Colossians 2:11-12).

It’s where I am saved through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Spirit (Titus 3:5).

It’s where I’m saved and my prayer for a new conscience is answered (1 Peter 3:21).

Does that sound like something that is not essential to salvation?

V. One Church

            Matthew 16:18

            Acts 2:47

            Hebrews 10:25

            It has an eldership

            It has specific instructions on proper worship.  Communion on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7), acappella singing (Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 5:19). Remember that worship is not for you it’s by you.

VI. One Judgement

            Hebrews 9:27

            Matthew 25:31-46

 

 

 

 

           

Do you know the Bevo story?

The following is the account of the incredible Clarence “Bevo” Francis, the greatest scorer in the history of college basketball.  He has had four books written about his exploits, was the subject of an ESPN Sports Century and a PBS Documentary on him and his incredible Rio Grande College team of 1952-54.  By the way, the documentary airs tonight (November 10) at 9 p.m. on most PBS stations. 

If you want to know more, check out the Rio Grande athletics website at athletics.rio.edu.

BEVO

 

His name rates with immortals Oscar Robertson, Pete Maravich and Earl Monroe as one of the best scorers in college basketball history.  In the process his team accomplished one of the most unbelievable tasks in college cage annals.

 

“He” is Clarence “Bevo” Francis and in 1952-53 his Rio Grande College basketball team accomplished a nearly impossible feat when they streaked to a perfect 39-0 record.  That win total still ranks as the most victories in a season by a college team.

 

Francis nearly rewrote the NCAA and NAIA record books in the process.  Among his outstanding laurels are the NCAA top single season scoring average (48.3), best two-year average (47.1) and points in a single game (113).  His NAIA marks are similar– single season scoring average (50.1) and points in a game (116).  The NAIA recognizes all games that Rio Grande played in determining Francis’ records, while the NCAA only acknowledges games with degree-granting  institutions.

 

The Rio Grande success story actually began  in 1951, when Rio Grande alum Newt Oliver took the head basketball coaching position at Wellsville High School.  It was Oliver’s first meeting with a gangly, relatively unknown basketball player named “Bevo”.

 

“As we started practice that year,” Oliver said, “it did not take me long to realize that Bevo Francis would some day be an All-American basketball player.  And, I was sure he would make it in any college in the country—Rio Grande, the University of Dayton or Ohio State—he was that good.”

 

In his only year of varsity basketball at Wellsville, Francis scored 776 points in 25 games for an average of nearly 32 markers per outing.  In the process, he led his team to a stunning 19-1 regular season record and a berth in the state playoffs.  He was a unanimous all-state performer.

 

The following year the basketball coaching job opened up at Rio Grande and Oliver filled the vacancy.  With him went Francis, a highly touted 6-9 center who was sought by numerous major college powers.

 

The newspapers around the state gave the announcement of Oliver’s appointment at Rio Grande only three or four lines.  This would soon change.

 

The Rio Grande campus consisted of only four buildings in 1952, including Community Hall, home of the Redmen basketball team.  It was not exactly a basketball palace, but it did serve as an acceptable home court.

 

Despite its cleanliness, the hall was affectionately tabbed by players as the “Hog Pen”.  The facility did not have a shower room and players would dress in their dorms, run through freezing temperatures on many occasions to practice, and then do the same following a three or four hour workout.

 

With five newcomers and the same number of returnees in fold for the season, Oliver clearly had his work cut out for him.  The nucleus of the team would be Francis and Wayne Wiseman, a two-year veteran who ended up leading the team in assists with 388 and the nation in field goal accuracy, connecting at a 62.9% rate.

 

“The first thing I did was let the team in on my plan… a plan that was in the back of my mind since the 1947-48 season when I led the nation in scoring,” said Oliver.

 

“We’re going to play in some of the biggest basketball arenas in the country,” Oliver told the team.  “We’re going to be the toast of college basketball.   We’re going to play a basketball game in New York’s Madison Square Garden.”

 

Wiseman, who had played in some of the more obscure gyms during the previous two years, mumbled something that brought a laugh from his teammates.

 

“What’s so funny?” Oliver asked. 

 

“The only garden we’ll ever see,” Wiseman sheepishly responded, “is one with a hoe.”

 

Here was a coach with no collegiate coaching experience talking to 10 players at a school with only 92 full-time students and predicting an appearance in the basketball capital of the world.  Moreover, the school had finished just 4-19 against small college competition the year before.

 

But how wrong Wiseman would be, as Rio Grande sprinted out to four wins in their first four starts against the Redman Alums, Cumberland (MD) College, Sue Bennett (KY) College and Waynesburg (PA) College to match their win output of the previous season.  The streak reached 10 with wins over Dayton, Wilberforce, Bluefield (VA), Denison, Marietta and Beckley (WV).

 

Suddenly, fans packed into the “Hog Pen” for games, and Rio Grande was getting national attention.

 

The big break for the program came on January 9 before a packed house at Community Hall, when Francis scored an unbelievable 116 points to lead Rio Grande to an astounding 150-85 victory over Ashland (KY) College for their 18^th straight win.  Francis converted 47 field goals and 22 free throws as he boosted his scoring average to a miraculous 50.7 markers per contest.

 

The most amazing fact about the Ashland game was that Francis had “only” 61 points heading into the final 10 minutes of play to reach the mark.

 

The highest previous point total in one game was 87 set by Jack Duncan of Rio Grande in 1941 with Paul Arizin of Villanova University next at 85.

 

Suddenly, media representatives, from all over the country, were traveling to Rio Grande to see basketball history in the making.  And more suddenly, Rio Grande was playing in large arenas in front of thousands of spectators.

 

After Francis’ stellar showing, Rio Grande was in high demand throughout the eastern United States.  They went on the road for 17 straight road tilts, before returning to Community Hall for a meeting with Bluefield.  The Redmen whipped the Big Blues for their 36^th consecutive win.

 

They would close down the season with another victory over Ashland, and wins over Cincinnati and Wilberforce.

 

The team cracked the 100-point barrier on 23 occasions in averaging 101.1 markers per contest, compared to their opponents slate of 68.2.  They also established a collegiate record with 39 straight wins.

 

Francis was a United Press International (UPI), Helms Foundation, and Associated Press All-American.

 

Along the way, he set NAIA season standards for field goals (708), free throws (538), points (1,954) and average (50.1).

 

Francis went on to hit nearly 50 points per game the following year, including 113 points in one game against Hillsdale College (MI), which is recognized today as the collegiate record.  The Redmen went 21-7 in 1953-54, ranking in the top 20 in the nation.

 

It proved to be Francis’ final season as he moved on to the professional ranks.  In all, Francis scored 3,272 points in two seasons at Rio Grande in leading the Redmen to an astounding 60-7 overall mark.

 

During his final year at the school, Rio Grande played and beat such powerhouse teams as Arizona State, Buffalo State, Creighton University, Wake Forest and Providence.  They packed crowds into gyms in Nebraska, Missouri, Indiana, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Florida, Michigan, Massachusetts – and even Madison Square Garden in New York City.

RedStorm give back in Sparks Memorial Game

RedStorm give back in Sparks Memorial Game

By Mark Williams—Rio Grande Sports Information Director

Rio Grande—The University of Rio Grande RedStorm men’s basketball team has made it a priority to be more community-minded during the 2008-09 season and it started on November 1 with an exhibition game at Spring Valley High School in the Huntington, WV area.

 

Both Rio men’s and women’s teams played in the Eric Sparks Memorial Game against West Virginia Wesleyan.  The outcomes on the scoreboard were not important it was the reason that they were playing the games.

 

Sparks was a young man that played for Rio Grande head coach Ken French when he was an assistant at Ceredo-Kenova High School.  Sparks was a promising athlete in football and baseball and was a good basketball player as well.

 

“He was one of those kids that was a good athlete and he was also a great teammate,” French said.  “He was a great kid.  His character was outstanding.”

 

After high school, Sparks went on to attend West Virginia Wesleyan for two years.  He was heavily involved with the Methodist church, according to French, and in the summer between his sophomore and junior years, he went back to Huntington area and was helping a new youth minister when tragedy struck.  He, along with the female youth minister and another young man were the victims of a domestic dispute between the youth minister and a former boyfriend.

 

Sparks and the young lady did not survive and the gunmen also turned the weapon on himself and perished. 

 

“It was a very, very tragic incident,” French said. 

 

Eric’s father, Bob, is a well-respected referee in the Huntington area and French has had a long-standing relationship with him.  “The way the family has dealt with the tragic situation is just phenomenal and every year they do a golf tournament,” French said.  “They try to raise money for youth sport programs in the Ceredo-Kenova area and a memorial scholarship that is in Eric’s name.”

 

Rio started three years playing a game in Eric’s memory at Spring Valley High School, which is a consolidated school that C-K is now a part of.  “It was an opportunity for me to give back to the community that I came from,” French said.  “I thought that there was no better way than this, I called Bob and asked if he would an interest in the game and he said ‘sure coach, let’s see what we can do’.”

 

French said that all the proceeds from the game go toward the youth programs in Ceredo-Kenova that Bob Sparks gives back to.

 

French said that he has made it a point with his team to be community-minded, following along with some of the core values of the NAIA’s Champions of Character initiative.  “We get judged so much by scores and wins and losses, that’s not real life.  We have a lot of guys on our team that remind me of Eric,” French said.  “It’s important for me to show them, give back to your community.”

 

“It’s important that they understand that you never know when you’re number is going to be called and it’s all going to end,” French added.  “Here’s a guy who was in the prime of his life and it was taken from him, taken from his family.  I’m just trying to show them that there is a bigger picture than just athletics.”

 

“Hopefully we understand that and we’ve got a great group of guys that I think the (memorial) game means a lot to them,” French continued.  “They talk about it, when we get done with the night, they all go up to Bob and thank him and they understand the importance of it.  It makes you feel good as a coach to know that you’ve got good kids in your program.”

 

The first year (2006), Pikeville provided the opposition, last year Rio played Davis & Elkins and this year, ironically enough, they played West Virginia Wesleyan, the school Sparks attended for two years before his death.  “When we first started talking about it, I don’t know if they knew the story about Eric and that was one of the selling points that I had with them to try to get them in the game,” French said.  “Eric was a student at their campus and part of the Wesleyan community as well.”

 

“It was a great teaching moment for us as coaches to share with our young men that we’ve got in both of our programs,” French added. 

 

The Rio women’s team was included in the event for the first time and they too played WV Wesleyan.  “Any time we get a chance to do something with our women, we feel like it’s a good effort on our part,” French said.  “Once you share the story with them and they understand why we play the game, it’s not just an exhibition game, it goes well beyond that, I think they have a greater respect for life in general and what it means to play athletics and how we are in a situation where we can give back.”

 

Rio Grande women’s head coach David Smalley was pleased that his squad was able to take part in the event this year.  “What an opportunity to be involved in a fundraising event like that,” Smalley said.  “The story behind that is just, really amazing and could happen to anybody.  We were asked to participate in that kind of late and it was a great opportunity for our women to not only to be involved in such a good cause, but also for the competition.”

 

“Sometimes, it not about being able to generate funds or raise money and give some financial benefit to somebody,” French added.  “Maybe, for those four hours we got somebody to remember Eric or we got somebody to honor him in such a way.  That’s our way of keeping Eric’s spirit alive and that when you talk about giving back.”

 

“That goes beyond dollars and hopefully the young men in both our programs got to realize that,” he said.

 

The exhibition also allowed Rio Grande to give more than just lip service to “Champions of Character.”  “This, without a doubt, was one of the five core values, this was servant leadership at its best,” French said.  “We’re not talking about going out and picking up trash or raking somebody’s yard.  We actually provided something for a family, for a community that if we don’t do it, it’s not going to happen.”

 

“It didn’t require any effort on our part other than saying, hey we’re going to play the game, here’s what we’re going to do,” he added.  “The impact it has is a lot greater than that and that’s what servant leadership is about.”

 

Next year, French says the game will be moved to Chesapeake High School, just across the river.  “With us having a senior from Cheaspeake High School, P.J. Rase, next year, we’re going to try to play the game over there and generate a little bit more interest,” French said.   

Do You Know My Jesus?

Do you know my Jesus, do you know my Lord?

That is a terrific hymn that we sing alot.  My question is do you know him?

If you do or if you don’t let me tell you about Him.

Acts 2:22-41.  The Apostle Peter gives us the first gospel sermon on the day of Pentecost and tells us all about Jesus.

In Chapter 1 Jesus was resurrected from the grave, it was proven and he ascended back to God.

Ch. 1:8 mentions about the apostles being witnesses of Him.

Ch. 2:1-4 The Holy Spirit comes and fiery tongues appear on the apostles and everyone was able to hear in their own language.  Not gibberish, but actual languages.  Why is that important, because God is talking. 

Peter begins to speak in verse 14.  After he defends himself and the rest of the apostles that they are not drunk, he proceeds to tell us about Jesus.

I. Jesus is a man.  A historical figure, not a made-up figure like Peter Pan or Paul Bunyan or the Tooth Fairy, etc.  A man who can understand how we feel (Luke 4).  What are some of the ways? 

*-Anger, Jesus was angry in John 2:12-16 (but unlike us many times, he did not sin).

*-Tired, Jesus was tired from a journey in John 4:6.

*-Thirsty, Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for a drink in John 4:7.

*-Sad, He cried – John 11:35.

*-Shunned by Family, Jesus was, check out Mark 6:4.

*-Forsaken – Matthew 27:46.

When you think Jesus can’t relate to you, go back and check out those verses again.

II. Peter tells us that Jesus was approved of God.  What does aprove mean?  It means to have a favorable opinion of, or to accept as satisfactory.  Who do we want the approval of?  Who is most important?

Peter says that Jesus was a man approved by wonders, signs and miracles. 

For example: Jesus walking on the water — Matthew 14:22-33.  Nobody else did that, except Peter for a brief time. 

Other examples:

Jesus healing the demon-possessed man — Luke 8:26-39. 

The raising of Jarius’ daughter — Luke 8:40-56.

The healing of the lame man at the pool — John 5:1-15.

There are many other examples I good give.

Jesus proved who he was.

The I AM statements in John. 

I AM the Bread of Life — fed 5,000 – John 6

I AM the Light of the World — Caused the blind to see – John 9

I AM the Resurrection and the Life — he raised the dead – John 11.  

I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life — John 14:6, John 20.  He later would walk out of his own grave.  He says he is the savior and anyone who can walk out of his own grave, is whoever he says he is.

III. Thirdly, Peter tells us that Jesus was crucified – Acts 2:23.  There were two parts to the crucifixion of Christ on the cross. 

There was God’s part – He determined it — Genesis 3:15, John 3:16 and there was man’s part — they killed him.  — I Peter 2:24.  It was because of our sin — man needed God and God gave us His Son.

IV.  Peter continued by saying that Jesus was raised from the dead – Acts 2:24.  That means that HE IS ALIVE! .  That means He still understands.  Did He love little children? Yes, He still does, Did he love old ladies? Yes, He still does.  Did he forgive sinners? Yes, He still does.

V. Finally, Peter tells us that Jesus is exalted – Acts 2:33. Exalted means He is Lord and Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ is not just His name, it’s who He is.  Lord means (Authority) master. 

Just pryor to ascending Jesus said All Authority has been given to Me in Heaven and on Earth.  If that be the case (and it is), who I am to say that my way is better or we have to change with the times.  

The word Christ means Anointed One, King.

Do you believe He is Lord?  If you do, what does that demand?  Are you willing to do what is demanded?  Let Jesus be the Lord of your life by submitting your will to His.

In verse 37 the men were convicted and asked what, if anything, they could do to remedy the situation.  Peter gives the answer in verse 38.  “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness (remission) of your sins.  And you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

3,000 did so and were added to the church.  If you follow that blueprint today, you too can be added to the church just like the folks in Acts 2:47.