In Acts chapter 2 we find one the greatest descriptions of the early church given in the New Testament. Luke wrote, “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teachings and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). He later goes to say, “And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as everyone might have need” (Acts 2:44-45). As I have been praying and thinking about what it looks like to be the church, I’ve noticed a few characteristics of this early church.
1) 1) They were devoted to the Scriptures. They learned from the apostles’ teachings and let it shape their lives.
2) 2) They were devoted to each other. Church was not a place to attend; it was a group of people among whom to belong.
3) 3) They were devoted to eating together. This is simple sign of sharing life and community.
4) 4) They were devoted to prayer. This recognized God as God as they sought His will and provision as well as His praise.
5) 5) They sold their possessions to meet the needs of their own. The needs of the body were always met.
This is just a short list, but I wonder what would happen if we devoted ourselves to these things. Notice that the action in verse 42 begins with “continually.” This was not something they did at a gathering once a week; it was a way of life. What was the result of this? Verse 47 tells us that “the Lord added to their number daily.” The result of this kind of deep, Bible centered, people valuing community was that people were saved! So the question for us, church, is do we look like this?
For His glory and our joy,
NR
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