“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.”
I wish I would have been able to experience a house church gathering with the first century church. To partake in communion. To worship without the years of church tradition. To pray for boldness. To see the sold out commitment of each Christian.
Today’s devotion is centered on Acts 2. Below I make a few observations of the early church. These characteristics aren’t a complete list but merely a collection from my own personal devotions and studies on Acts 2. This isn’t an eloquent post but my thoughts on these passages.
12 Characteristics of the Early Church
Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
THE CHURCH WAS DEVOTED TO SCRIPTURE
First was the teaching of the apostles. Just as the apostles had been instructed by Jesus, so they passed along that instruction to the new Christians.
This would have included such subjects as his resurrection, the Old Testament Scriptures, the Christian witness, and surely their experiences during Jesus’ ministry.
The content of the church was centered on God’s Word. They learned spiritual truths.
The church is a place where God’s Word is proclaimed, explained, and applied.
THE CHURCH WAS DEVOTED TO FELLOWSHIP
The second activity to which they devoted themselves was “the fellowship.” The Greek word used here (koinōnia)
Its basic meaning is “association, communion, fellowship, close relationship.”
They were with other believers. They had people in their life who knew Jesus and knew where they were at in their spiritual life.
It is hard to Love God and love people when we are not around people.
THE CHURCH WAS DEVOTED TO BREAKING BREAD
It was either participating in the Lord’s Supper or simply eating meals together.
Either way, they came around the table to remember Jesus and engage in spiritual conversations.
We know that they observed the Lord’s Supper. Remember the sacrifice of Jesus and keep their focus on him.
THE CHURCH WAS DEVOTED TO PRAYER
Praying together in their homes.
Praying individually and corporately.
Prayed for needs, boldness to share the Gospel. Gratitude.
THE CHURCH WAS AWE-INSPIRITING
Acts 2:43
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles.
“Everyone” probably refers to those outside the Christian community who were awed by apostolic miracles
People outside of the faith noticed their faith. Stories of life-change. It was amazing.
Do people notice our faith?
Do people hear about the stories of life-change that are happening?
THE CHURCH WAS DEVOTED TO SCRIPTURE
Acts 2:44
Now all the believers were together and held all things in common.
The gathered community had a strong emphasis on their unity.
This was a unity in theology and oneness. It doesn’t mean that they were uniform.
Uniformity: Remaining the same in all cases and at all times.
Unity: The state of being joined together as a whole.
Unity is different from uniformity.
We can be unified around a goal, mission, idea, or vision while celebrating our diverse gifts, experiences, and backgrounds.
God is glorified when we are unified around the Gospel.
The global church is a powerful picture of unity. Diverse gifts, styles, and cultures unified around the Gospel of Jesus.
Unity can happen without uniformity. Promoting uniformity – that we are all the exact same, isn’t biblical and goes against the teaching of the Body of Christ with it’s diverse parts.
THE CHURCH WAS GENEROUS
Acts 2:45
They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need.
There are times where people sold their property and gave it to the apostles to distribute as needed. Here we see a continual giving.
This debunks the myth or not having enough money to help. Do you have stuff? Are you willing to get rid of what you have so that someone else can eat? Pay their medical bill?
THE CHURCH WAS EVANGELISTIC
Acts 2:46
Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts,
Peter does this in the next chapter. Peter went into the temple, met a man couldn’t walk begging for money and he healed him. As a result, many heard about Jesus.
The early church wasn’t separate from the community. They were around people – ministering, praying, and serving in an effort to share about the Gospel of Jesus.
THE CHURCH WAS JOYOUS
Acts 2:46
Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts,
Why is it that church people seem so worried and fearful about everything. Can we relax a little?
We can lose sight of the torment, pain, and persecution the church is experiencing and has experienced.
We get upset when we have a flat tire when the majority of the world doesn’t even own a car.
We get upset when we have to wait for 20 minutes for a meal when millions of people around the world don’t know when their next meal will be.
When Jesus is our focus our lives will be joyous. The first church understood that life with Jesus was always better than life without Jesus.
We have nothing to worry about if Jesus is leading our lives.
We have nothing to worry about if Jesus is leading the church.
We have nothing to worry about if Jesus is our one and only King.
We have nothing to worry about if Jesus is our redeemer and Savior.
Let’s not make such a big deal about the problems we face and start to make a bigger deal about the Jesus that we follow.
THE CHURCH WAS WORSHIPFUL
Acts 2:47
praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Their joy was connected with their worship.
Worship provided them with praise, centered them on Jesus, and express gratitude.
THE CHURCH WAS REPUTABLE
Acts 2:47
praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Their lives were attractive to those outside of the faith.
Know what the statistics say is the biggest hindrance when it comes to sharing your faith with others? The way that we live.
Do your actions point other people to Jesus?
Do your words point other people to Jesus?
Do your social medias point other people to Jesus?
They enjoyed favor with “all the people” which includes people outside of the faith.
THE CHURCH WAS GROWING
The Lord added to their gathering daily.
Jesus is the one who will grow the church. This is not a step-by-step manual for church growth.
The people were faithful to God and their numbers increased because others were coming to the faith.
Chase Snyder
Writer, Pastor
