Learning from the early church
The lessons of the first days since the church was formed are instructive in what we should be doing as a congregation of believers in this new year
“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.”
Acts 2:42-43
Acts chapter 2 records the birth of the church on the day of Pentecost. 10 days after Jesus ascended on Mount Olives, about 120 disciples join together in prayer in the upper room of a building in Jerusalem. They were in there in one accord in one place. The Holy Spirit descended on them with the sound of a rushing wind and what looked like tongues of fire on each of them. And the disciples started speaking in different languages. People from across the world who came in to see the commotion heard the disciples who were all from their speak in their languages in a miraculous occurrence. Peter rose up and shared a powerful message that led the hearers to respond by asking how they could be saved. 3000 people were added to the church that day. I want to speak about the next few verses of what happened after the first day of that revival meeting.
1. Apostolic teaching
Apostolic teaching or as some translations call it, the apostle’s doctrine. It's basically what the apostles taught the early disciples. And today we have it in written form. The instructions for life and living that came to them in the form of spiritual concepts and practical instructions for life. The apostles taught that the prophecies of God about the Messiah were fulfilled in Christ and what the Kingdom of God meant and how our lives out to be. These teachings are recorded in the writings of the new testament: the historical books: the gospels and The Acts, the letters and the book of prophecy — Revelation. We need to have a zeal for the word of God. Read more, study more, and meditate on it more.
2. Fellowship (communion or koinonia)
What is described next is true fellowship; the true sharing of lives. Not saying "hi" or having a rushed cup of coffee together. Not a 10 min chat and a smile. True sharing of lives. Does your fellow brothers know of your struggles? Do you know theirs? Do they know your challenges? Do they know your desires? Do they know what the Lord is speaking to you about? Do they know enough about you to pray accurately for your biggest needs? Do they know enough about you to provide any help you may need appropriately? Do you know details about their lives and their walk with God?
When we grow in fellowship with one another, we will know all this and more. Our lives will be deeply intertwined. We have different personalities and these are easier for some than for others. However, as we grow in relationship with God, he desires that we grow in deep relationship with one another as well. Let us continue meeting one another and spurring them on in the faith. Let us recognize the body of Christ as being made of all blood-bought children of God, not those from this church alone.
3. Breaking of bread
This probably meant both sharing a meal with your brother and sisters and the spiritual partaking of the Lord's Supper. It is a deeper level of the sharing of lives between Christian believers. When we come together in a simple meal together, it becomes a blessing. Don't wait till there is an opportunity to put together a major feast. Invite other believers to share in whatever you'd eat. Spend time praising God over your table. This glorifies God.
4. Prayers
Since the Bible specifically mentioned this in plural. Many types of prayers are recorded in the Bible: supplications, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving.
“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,”
1 Timothy 2:1
“praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—”
Ephesians 6:18
Our Christian life and ministry is built on the foundation of prayer. What we need is more love and more power in our life. Without prayer we become loveless and without love we become a clashing symbol or a sounding gong: we make sounds, but there will be no life in us. God wants us to pray with prayers of confession, prayers of consecration, prayers for healing, prayers for others (intercession), prayers of adoration, prayers of thanksgiving, prayers for specific requests. We ought to pray more and pray more deeply. This year, we will be encouraging everyone to pray more, first individually and then as a body.
5. Sharing and Charity
“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 anyone might have need.”
Acts 2:44-45
This part of scripture speaks about the early church in Jerusalem selling all they had, believing the Lord's coming was imminent, and sharing with those that were in need. The Jerusalem church that followed this soon ended up being the poorest among believers and the worldwide church at that time was encouraged to make collections on behalf of those in Jerusalem, clearly showing us that God wants us to be wiser. He does not expect us to share everything we have and give to the poor in this age.
What we should learn from this incident is that we ought to also be aware of the needs of our fellow saints and share with them, helping them as God enables us. Do not close your eyes to those that are in lack, especially your brother or sister in the Lord. This is pleasing to God.
6. Unity
“Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,”
Acts 2:46
They continued with one mind in the temple. They broke bread from house to house.
It is very important that we be of one mind. It also seems to be very difficult in practice since people are different; they have different priorities, preferences, and personalities. The way to accomplish this is to have the same mind that was in Christ, who humbled Himself and did not seek His own. (Phil 2:5 onwards). Often we divide ourselves with minor doctrinal differences. God wants us to focus on His bigger plan, His purposes, His commission while being charitable to one another. That will help us move forward in unity.
7. Outreach
“praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:47
They maintained connection with one another, without breaking their relationship with those outside the body of Christ. Seeing the love in their lives, the joy in the midst of suffering, the peace in the midst of trouble, chaos, and persecution, those outside wanted to be a part of it. Our purpose is to reach out to those outside. Maintain connection with those outside Christ's body and seek to reach out to them.
This new year, let us commit to these goals. To grow in the study of the Word of God, fellowship, prayer, sharing and charity, unity, and reaching out. May that help initiate a fresh move of the LORD in our midst. Praise the Lord!