Acts; Together is Better

June 26

Read: Acts 2:42-47

Acts;

Together is Better

“And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” (v.47)

One of the things that stands out to me regarding the formation and beginning of “The Church” is that it is profoundly marked by community and “together-ness”. The activities of the gathered people of God - The Church - in its early forms lacked the focus open the individual that we seem to have today. The activities that they devoted themselves to were things done “together”… with others, NOT alone and isolated. In short: it was a group effort… a community affair. This was a defining attribute of the people of God as they were set apart. Stop to think about what activities the Lord intentionally had written down here in the scriptures. This represents a living out of the values God gave to The Church… this is the “continued work” of Jesus through his followers. (cf. Acts 1:1)  What exactly were they up to?  Well…

“Devoted to the Apostle’s teaching” (v.42)

Just prior to this, we have an example of one of the Apostle’s (Peter) teaching a great crowd. One thing you will notice is that the Apostles teaching includes passages of scripture as well as declared truth and testimony. They were devoted to both the study of scripture as well as the application of it! At the very beginning we see there are people with authority to teach as well as a dedication to learning and growing. They were doing this together! Remember, they didn’t have a copy of the bible at home for themselves… this sort of “devoted to the teachings”  meant sharing ideas… talking with one another… and being gathered with the Apostles themselves.

“Devoted to…the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (v. 42)

There was an intentional devotion to one-another… this was not just “being friendly” or having friends - no this was “the fellowship” Notice how it doesn’t say simply “fellowship” but rather “the fellowship”. It wasn’t just any-old hangout… it was the specific gathering and relationships within the people of God. This was friendship and relationship rooted in Christ. They would eat food together and pray with one another. This harkens back to earlier in Acts … when they would gather together and pray. (cf. 1:14)

“…awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.” (v.43)

This was a time filled with excitement and powerful work… observable work of the Spirit. The apostles were modeling for the people what life in Christ looks like. It was marked by the work go the Lord in them and through them - “wonders and signs”. Sometimes I am afraid we have lost the “awe and wonder” of life in Christ. Whatever else it may have been… it was not a “boring” time - genuine life in Christ is never boring!

“And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” (v.44,45)

They were marked by generosity and meeting each other’s material needs. This meant looking out for the practical needs of the fellowship… of the people of God. God had worked in their hearts so that they were WILLING to voluntarily sell their possessions to help one another with what they needed. We have an obligation as the people of God to look out for one another… and be willing to use our resources for one another first and foremost.

“And day by day, attending the temple together…” (v.46)

The early church gathered together for worship at the Temple. This makes sense because these early followers were Jewish. The point here is not that we begin going to the Temple - but rather that the Temple was a gathering place for the worship of God. It was “formal” in a way… the closest equivalent for us is “going to church”. What stands out is that they made this a regular part of what they participated in. (cf. Heb. 10:23-25)

“… breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.” (v. 46,47)

This is the second time that we see eating together (“breaking bread”) mentioned as a part of what the people of God do. I believe this also includes taking communion; the reference to “breaking bread” and Jesus’ words at the last supper / passover (“This is my body, broken for you”) are definitely eluded to hear. Spiritual conversation was most definitely a part. These were houses filled with “glad and generous hearts”. They were praising Jesus in their homes. What a joyful picture of life in Christ.

This is what life together ought to look like. This is what we strive for - these values - as the people of God. This is a good template for understanding what it looks like to “continue on” in the sort of ministry that Jesus began and handed to us to continue. (We are his “hands and feet” his “body” now, cf. Col. 1:18, 1 Cor. 12) We do not simply mimic the early church (you and I do not attend the Temple!) but this snapshot should inform how we act today. One thing is for sure - we are in this together. As my friend Ed says, “There are no lone ranger Christians!” Life in Christ is clearly lived out TOGETHER… it has to be. Love you guys! - JDP