Acts 2:42- And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. NKJV
We’re still in chapter 2 of Acts, and a lot of things have happened. First, the Spirit of God comes in like a mighty rushing wind baptizing the disciples and they speak in new tongues. Then, those nearby hear the tongues, and many of them recognize their own language. Peter stands and delivers the gospel message causing 3,000 people to receive Jesus as their savior, get baptized, and become a part of the fellowship. And we now have the Early Church.
Verse 41 is considered by scholars to be the verse that argues the pattern for establishing a community of believers as a church: the apostles’ teachings, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayers (Keener, Acts an Exegetical Commentary, vol. 1, p. 1000). Each of these elements is thought to result in evangelism outreach and church growth. But in today’s blog, I would like to explore how these same things can result in our personal growth and development as believers.
The apostle’s teachings are none other than the teachings of God’s word. As the apostles began to share the teachings they heard from Jesus, they acted as a sort of bridge from the ministry of Jesus, to the ministry of the Holy Spirit through God’s people. As a foundation of the newly formed church, there was a high value placed on the learning of God’s word. They were so interested in learning the word that they met regularly to hear the apostles teach about Jesus!
As believers, if we are to grow and become all that God has called us to be, then we must be like-minded as the early believers. We must realize there is great value in the learning of God’s word. There are a variety of ways in which we can demonstrate that we value God’s word: reading it, studying it, allowing it to be the roadmap of our lives, attending church services and bible studies, and sharing it. Not just once, but as the early Christians did, continuously. With the technology that we have access to, we can listen to the Bible on demand, read it at will, and pull up great sermons on a variety of platforms! We are without excuse.
The word for fellowship in this text is koinōnia and it refers to a shared purpose. The disciples gathered consistently with a shared purpose to demonstrate the love of Jesus with each other. In verse 45, we read the disciples:
..sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
They took care of one another, distributing goods and partaking in the love of God in a spirit of unity. But koinōnia also conveys the thought of communication and participation. The disciples shared their faith in the Lord Jesus and a love for God. They shared their struggles and victories. They shared the joy of living for Jesus and carrying the message of the truth (www.blueletterbible.org). They truly had all things in common.
As believers, we want to make sure that we are fellowshipping with others in a way that we share what is common among us. As we hope to grow in the Lord, it is important that we have the type of fellowship with others that demonstrate our love for God, that we believe in the same Jesus, that we also have struggles and yet we enjoy many victories. These are some of the ways that we can ensure that our fellowship is with believers who have like precious faith (2 Peter 1:1).
The breaking of bread can reference two different things. Keener believes it could simply be the sharing of a meal, or possibly the partaking of communion. Other scholars believe it to be a sharing of communion. Whichever, is the correct rendering of the phrase, they are both good things for us to practice today. Sometimes we need to get with other believers in the Lord and just eat together. I’ve had a lot of great discussions about the Lord over a meal. I’ve gotten to know others in the church community over dinner. And therefore, I certainly agree with the value of spending time with other believers to simply enjoy a meal.
If, however, it is about partaking of the communion elements, which reminds us of the price Jesus paid for our salvation, I can also see how this was important. Jesus told His disciples that as often as they shared the communion table together, to do it in remembrance of Him. Keeping Jesus’ sacrifice before us assists us in our personal growth and development because it keeps Him at the forefront of our minds and the center of our lives.
And of course, there is the practice of prayer. Because the disciples started their journey after the ascension with prayer and experienced Pentecost, it is understandable that they would continue in prayer. Throughout the book of Acts, there are numerous occasions where the disciples gathered for prayer. And as a result of their prayers, they saw God move on their behalf. Whether Luke was referring to corporate prayer times which could have still been a part of their worship experience, or individual prayer times, we understand that they placed a high value on prayer.
Many people focus on the fact that unanswered prayer is a big hindrance to the practice of prayer. I can understand that. But that happens when our focus is on getting things from God. When we pray with the sense of communing with the God who created the heavens and the earth, who delivered us from the kingdom of darkness and placed us in the kingdom of His Son, and gain audience with the only true God who desires to spend times of intimacy with us, it’s a game changer. Just as corporate prayer causes the church to grow, it causes individuals to grow in their personal relationship with the Lord.
If I could only use one word to describe each of these elements that Luke made note of, it would be koinōnia. I believe that communing with God happens in each of these situations. As believers, our hearts should be to enjoy koinōnia with God’s people, but also with Him. As we do so, we will find ourselves growing as Christians and desiring to experience each of these phases of growth more and more! Wonderful Jesus!
Wonderful Jesus! 