They devoted themselves to the
apostles' teaching and to fellowship,
to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Bible Rank: 25
What is the church supposed to be like? My biblical compass comes from today’s verse in Acts 2.
On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came with a rush like a mighty wind and empowered the previously confused (and even cowering) disciples. Indeed, just fifty days after local authorities had crucified their master, the disciples were still secluding themselves behind locked doors. Suddenly -- and by the power of the Spirit -- Peter was able to stand with boldness in the midst of the same murderous crowd and proclaim … their guilt … God's forgiveness … and a life-transforming kind of faith in Jesus Christ.
That day, three thousand people embraced the Gospel, and the church began!
According to today's verse (and a few of the verses immediately following), here's what the Apostolic church looked like (and see if this doesn't paint a glorious picture of how churches today ought to aim their ministry too) ...
42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching ... We don't have Jesus' twelve apostles still with us, so how can we devote ourselves to the apostles' teaching? The apostles were the ones who wrote the New Testament; therefore, a good church must devote itself to Bible Study.
42They devoted themselves ... to fellowship ... Church must be a family. And family takes – among other things – a lot of forgiveness.
42They devoted themselves ... to the breaking of bread ... Good churches are sacramental, obeying Christ's command to "do this" … to be continually "in remembrance" of God’s saving acts … to embrace Christ's method for linking us in communion (community) … and to receive Christ’s blessings through this meal like "the forgiveness of sins."
42They devoted themselves ... to prayer ... Prayerlessness is pride. It's assuming we can do life without God's help. Prayer, however, is humble submission. It is intentionally placing ourselves under God's leadership and care. And it is a vital and personal link to God’s awe and power.
43Awe came upon everyone, [as] many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. Good churches should see manifestations of God’s presence and power. And do you know how and where that starts? It starts with people who expect the living God to actually show up!
44All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Church is family. And family shares. This is stewardship. It is generosity. It is communal care. It is being the church.
46Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple. Church wasn’t a Sunday activity. Church was the center of their lives. Everything revolved around this adventure of God, faith, and (church) family.
46Day by day, they broke bread at home. As much as each Christian home was brought in the church … the church was brought back into each home. Modern people too often “put things into boxes.” This is my church box and I do church things at church. This is my home and family box and I do home and family things at home. This is my job box and I do work things at work. This is my recreation box and leave me alone and let me play!
No! That’s not the secret to life.
God is all. And everything about God and faith should occur at church and home and work and even when we play. Christ should be our life. Indeed, we should have one box – the faith box and all of life should fit into – and then flow out of – it.
47Day by day … they [were] praising God ... Worship was an everyday – indeed, every minute of everyday priority! If God is God, then he deserves our honor and our praise … day by day!
47And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. All churches are imperfect. Why? Because all the people in them are imperfect. Nevertheless, if more churches started aiming toward this goal, try locking the doors and holding back the “number [of] those who were being saved.”
In Christ’s Love,
an Acts 2 guy
(Lord, aim me more accurately
and use me more fully.)
to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
No church ever does anything perfectly. (And that's a confession of sin ... not an excuse for compromise.)
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