All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
Acts of the Apostles 2:42 NLT
The Book of Acts records the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the believers in Jesus and describes the events that followed. It is a description of what happened, not a prescription.
However, as the Holy Spirit led the early church, and leads individual followers of Jesus today, we can glean the heart of God from the events described.
All the believers devoted themselves
They were devoted. They chose for themselves what they were dedicated to. The Spirit led them all to continually engage in four activities on a daily basis.
- The apostles’ teaching
- Fellowship
- Sharing meals (including communion) in homes
- Prayer
As they continued in this new pattern of life, the Lord added to their fellowship daily those who were being saved.
What did the apostles teach? That Jesus is the Messiah and to obey his commands.
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20 NLT
Fellowshipping around common meals and praying bring the Body together. It’s what a spiritual family does. We gather, we share, we minister one to another with compassion. We pray together. There is no law against these things.
If the early church experienced such rapid growth upon being baptized in the Holy Spirit, what makes us think this is not possible today? What’s getting in the way of our relationships with God and each other? Are we too busy pursuing the things of this world? Things that perish?
Let us pursue eternal things. Let us pursue souls for the Kingdom. Let us welcome them into our families of faith and share with them the love of Jesus in word and in deed.
Lord, lead us to do Your will. Let us return to the pure expression of God’s heart towards humanity. Help us to welcome new believers into our lives of faith. May we be one glorious Body of Christ, to the glory of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
Acts of the Apostles 2:46-47 NLT
Recommended reading: Acts 2.
Igniter Ministries 