Acts 2:42-47 New International Version (NIV)
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
In these verses, Luke describes the people in the first church; what their daily life was like and how they treated each other. Christians today can learn much from what he writes. Church was not just a Sunday morning affair or even just a Sunday and Wednesday event. It was a daily connection.
In verse 42, The apostles continued to teach the new believers. As Christians, we must continue to learn about our faith always. We have the Holy Spirit to teach us. But we must also listen to those God appointed teachers. It is also very important to have regular meetings with other Christians.
‘ the breaking of bread ’. Jews did this before they ate a meal. Jewish people did not cut their bread. They broke it into pieces and then they shared it. On the night before Jesus died, he ate a meal with his disciples. He broke up the bread and he gave it to them. He said, ‘Take this and eat it. This is my body.’ Then he gave to them a cup of wine. He said, ‘This is my blood in the new covenant. It is poured out for many people.’ So, to break up bread has a special meaning for Christians.
The first Christians always prayed before they did anything. They spoke to God about everything. They asked him to help them. And they asked him to guide them. Today. we need to do the same. Bring everything yo God.
Miracles happened in the first church. Miracles still happen now. When people expect God to do wonderful things, he will do wonderful things.
in some translations the word “Ewe” is excitement and fear. In the Old Testament, writers often used the words ‘the fear of the Lord’. This does not mean that people were afraid of God. (The reason for such fear would be because he might hurt them.) ‘The fear of the Lord’ meant that people respected God. They respected him because he is good, powerful and holy.
The first Church sold land and possessions. The Christians showed that they were taking care of each other. So, no Christian was rich and no Christian was poor. Each person had what he or she needed.
Verse 46 tells us the first Christians met together every day. It is very important for us now to meet often with other believers. They met in a public place to worship God. They also met in their homes as friends. The people who were richer provided a meal for the poorer people. They ate together. They broke up the bread and they worshiped God.
The first Christians were kind and generous. They were happy and they showed God’s love in their daily lives. People wanted to come to be with them.
Have we strayed from the example of the first Church? Christians should be the most joyful, loving, caring and friendly people on the planet. Are We?