Church Update
September 30, 2026
Dear Church of the Open Bible,
There’s a difference between talking about something and experiencing that something. We went on a hike this past weekend, and there were a few younger hikers who were quite confident in their ability to casually stroll up to the summit and down again. But they had never been on this particular hike, or had hiked much at all. The reality of elevation, distance, wind, and lots of snow gave them the experience they had talked so easily about before.
We notice this in other ways as well. The increased wisdom of someone who has personally experienced grief or loss, compared to someone who hasn’t. The calmness of someone who has been through the many seasons of being a parent, compared to someone in the thick of the toddler years. There is a difference between mere talking about something and having experienced that something. And people listening can tell the difference.
In Acts 2, Peter preaches to the Jews in Jerusalem. He tells them that by virtue of His resurrection and ascension, Jesus is both Messiah and Lord. And twice Peter tells the crowd that they are blameworthy for His crucifixion (2:23, 36). Listen to the following interaction.
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” - Acts 2:37-38
Peter not only tells the crowd about the guilt of their sin; he tells them that if they repent, they will also receive forgiveness through Jesus. But this wasn’t a street preacher with a script. This was someone who had experienced what he was preaching. Peter had been cut to the heart in denying Jesus (Luke 22:63). No doubt he had despaired about what he could do because of it. Then Peter received forgiveness from Jesus (Jn 21:15-19). Peter had experienced what he was talking about.
When we live as witnesses of Jesus Christ, we are inviting others to experience what we have experienced. This should cause us to reflect on two things: 1) What is it that I have experienced? 2) And is it worth inviting others to experience? Peter and the rest of the disciples sure thought that what they had experienced was worth sharing. Do you?