It’s the second time I’ve encountered the phrase as I’ve been reading through Acts, but this morning it popped.

There were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

(Acts 11:20-24 ESV)

Added to the Lord . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning. That’s what’s sourcing some awe (and some joy and some encouragement) within this soul.

This isn’t the first “report card” found in Acts. Luke has repeatedly provided “status updates” concerning the growth of the church as the gospel is preached, people believe, and the gatherings of Christ followers get bigger. Back in Acts 2, as a result of the Spirit’s falling and Peter’s preaching, at Pentecost “there were added that day about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41). And as those who were added to the number of disciples continued together as the church, “the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).

But the nature of the “math” changes in Acts 5 and here in Acts 11. In these updates the addition is not just to a group of people. Rather, “more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women” (Acts 5:14) as a great many people were added to the Lord.

Added to — literally “put to” or “joined to. And not just to a roster, not just to a roll, but added to the risen, reigning, one day returning Lord of creation.

Put to Christ. Joined to Jesus. Tell me that doesn’t have a “next level” ring to it. Sure, it’s great when someone joins the church. But it is wondrous to think of someone being joined to the Lord.

Added to the Lord so that, because He is a Son and we are added to Him, His sonship becomes our adoption. Added to the Lord, so that we are made members of His body. Added to the Lord, so that His righteousness becomes our righteousness. Added to the Lord so that His life becomes our life and our life is hidden in His.

Added to the Lord, so that our union with Christ changes everything and makes everything new. A new identity in Him and new possibilities through Him — even the promise of being conformed to His likeness. Added to the Lord, so that “it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).

This morning, this guy, despite his weariness, his weakness, and sometimes feelings of worthlessness . . . apart from any past merit . . . independent of any on-going performance . . . is part of the divine addition only and wholly by God’s loving, gracious, and patient determination.

Rejoice, O saint, in your salvation.

Be in awe of the addition.

By His grace. For His glory.