Introduction and Scripture Reading
Acts chapter 2 and this evening we’re looking at verses 42 through verse 47. And so I’ll begin reading at verse 40 and read through the end of the chapter. So Acts chapter 2 beginning in verse 40.
And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, Be saved from this perverse generation. Then those who gladly received his word were baptized, and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Let’s seek the Lord’s blessing on this, his word.
Gracious God in heaven, we do praise you and thank you again for this opportunity that we have to study your word. And we pray that you would open up our hearts and minds to hear this truth that is here and that we would be able to apply it in our hearts by the power of your spirit to bring about great and abundant fruit for your glory. We ask now for your blessing upon your word. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
The Exciting Beginnings of the Church
Well, if you think about it, it must have been a pretty exciting time as the church in Jerusalem grew from 120 persons to several thousands in just one day. And yet that initial growth on the day of Pentecost was, of course, just the beginning. The church continued to grow day by day, and as the Lord added to the number, those who were being saved.
Well, in these next several verses, we are given a glimpse into the life and the ministry of the early church.
And I want to say at the start, though, that it should be noted that though what we’re given here, it’s more descriptive than it is prescriptive. That is, there’s no command that is given here that this is how we should do church, but rather it simply describes how this particular body of believers functioned in the current context and in the situation of their particular time. Everything was all still very new.
That said, though, there is much here that the Church today would do well to strive to imitate as we seek to live as the Church today in the 21st century.
The Four Marks of Early Church Worship (v. 42)
And so in verse 42, we see that those who believed made a habit of gathering together.
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Now, though these could be distinctive activities, most throughout history have seen here the particular activity of worship being described. And so the early church gathered regularly for worship.
And what did they do in worship? Well, there are four key aspects.
1. Devoted to the Apostles’ Doctrine
First, they devoted themselves steadfastly to the apostles’ doctrine and teaching.
The word doctrine simply means instruction or teaching. And so the apostles, who had been taught by Jesus and now empowered by the Holy Spirit, taught and instructed the people in what they were to believe concerning God and the duty that God requires of them.
And this kind of doctrine and teaching, of course, is critical, a critical part of worship and the ministry of the local church. We need to know what it is that we believe.
The word of God, of course, is spiritual food for us, that we must feast upon it regularly.
Teaching the apostles would include, for example, all the things that Jesus said and did, teaching them to observe all that Jesus commanded them. Remember Jesus, when he gave the Great Commission, that’s what he told the apostles and the church to do.
The apostles had been gifted, of course, with wisdom and understanding by the Holy Spirit to teach and preach these things. Again, this was according to the promise that Jesus had made in John 14:26.
But the helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
At this point, nothing in the New Testament had been written down yet. And so this doctrine was passed on orally by speaking. But they were guided by the Holy Spirit.
In time, the Holy Spirit would then guide the New Testament writers to faithfully write down all that would be necessary for our understanding of the gospel. And this written word and teaching would then become the infallible standard by which all other teaching would be measured.
The Apostle Paul even anticipates this in Galatians 1.
But even if we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
Eventually, the church wavered on this and began to rely more on tradition than on the written word. It wasn’t until the time of the Reformation that Sola Scriptura, scripture alone as the final authority, would be recaptured.
We acknowledge that the written word is the final authority in all things. But the written word doesn’t discount the need for continued doctrinal teaching and preaching, as long as that teaching and preaching is rooted in the Word of God, the Bible, and not based in the imaginations of men.
2. Devoted to Fellowship
The second thing we see the early church doing here is devoting themselves to fellowship.
The following verses will show that this fellowship wasn’t restricted to gathering for worship, but was continual in a variety of ways throughout the week.
When the believers gathered together for worship on the first day of the week, they enjoyed a great fellowship—with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit because of their new identity in Christ, and also with one another as a group of people united together by a common faith in Christ.
Our time of worship on the Lord’s Day is a time given to us to regroup and recharge. This is why the charge to not forsake the assembly of ourselves together in Hebrews 10 is so critical for us.
3. Devoted to the Breaking of Bread
Another thing we see the early church doing here is that they were devoted to the breaking of bread.
The context seems to be about worship, and it’s literally “breaking of the bread,” so it’s very likely that this is a reference to the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
4. Devoted to Prayers
And finally, they were devoted to prayer.
Prayer is a key means of grace, intended to encourage and build us up as we learn to depend fully upon the Lord.
Signs, Wonders, and Awe (v. 43)
Verse 43 mentions something else that is rather extraordinary that marked the life of the early church.
Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
The purpose of these signs and wonders was to confirm the teaching and preaching as truly being from God. In a time before the New Testament was written down, signs and wonders helped to authenticate the message.
We don’t go seeking after the signs and wonders. We go seeking after the God who enables the signs and wonders.
Through the ordinary means of grace—prayer, the reading and preaching of God’s Word, and the sacraments—God is still the source of fear and awe.
Mercy Ministry and Sharing (vv. 44–45)
Another aspect of church life was basically what amounted to mercy ministry.
Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all as anyone had need.
There’s no command here to sell all that you have and live in a commune. What’s clear is that these believers did share what they had—openly and freely, and willingly.
This sharing wasn’t forced or compelled. Everyone did it willingly to show their love and gratitude for what God had done for them.
The key emphasis here is sharing from a heart transformed by the gospel that is truly sensitive to the needs of those around you.
Daily Life and Witness of the Early Church (vv. 46–47)
So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Key Characteristics:
- Unity of mind and purpose (“one accord”)
- Gathering daily—in the temple and from house to house
- Hospitality—opening homes gladly and simply
- Constant praise and thanksgiving to God
- Favor with all people because of their joyful, faithful living
They weren’t running any programs. They weren’t seeking to entertain people. They had committed themselves to living simply, faithfully devoted to the truth of the apostles’ teaching, being compassionate toward one another, and God graciously chose to bless them.
Application and Closing Prayer
All this ought to be an encouragement and a challenge to us—that we would demonstrate such a wonderful witness to the community around us of the simplicity of worship: the Word faithfully preached, the sacraments and prayer, a great fear and reverence for the holiness of God as we steer clear of gimmicks and entertainment.
A community committed to caring for one another and being active in mercy ministry to those in need around us.
And as those who truly delight to be with one another, loving one another, sharing with one another, praying for one another, and serving one another—all in chief service to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
So beloved, let’s be challenged to show the world that we are a faithful part of the body of Christ, serving and glorifying Him in all things.
Gracious God in heaven, we do rejoice and give thanks for your continued blessing upon us, upon your people gathered together here in this place, upon this particular body, this particular branch of your church.
We just rejoice and give thanks for the peace, the unity that you have blessed us with. And we pray that we would continue to grow in that peace and unity, that we would continue to show our love for one another and how we can serve one another, how we can be reaching out to those in need around us as a great and wonderful witness of the glorious transformation, the power of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
And so Father, we just pray that you would richly and abundantly bless us. That we would be content with how you have called us to worship and to serve you and to be here in your presence. And that you would be pleased to even add to our number daily as you would see fit—all to the praise of your glorious name.
Father we just again praise you and thank you that you give us such a rich privilege to gather together here one day in seven—that we have this day to rest from our usual labors and activities, that we can come, we can worship, we can fellowship, we can be built up and encouraged, refreshed and recharged and even equipped as we prepare to go into the week that lies ahead.
But we pray that we’ll be remembering these things that we’ve considered on this day. And we would be faithfully equipped to be those witnesses all for your praise and your glory.
And so we ask now for your blessing upon our time and be with us and watching over us until we return again on the next Lord’s Day. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.