Acts 2:42-47 (NIV) [42] They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. [43] Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. [44] All the believers were together and had everything in common. [45] Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he 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.
Acts 4:32-35 (NIV) [32] All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. [33] With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. [34] There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales [35] and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
- Devotion to the Apostle’s Teaching.
- There is a devotion to the word of God. Devotion must include more than just a half hour on a Sunday. There is a giving of themselves to the study and application of the word of God.
- There is also a devotion to an apostolic message – not just a message of good news, but a message of embracing an apostolic gospel as expressed to Abraham in advance: “I will bless you, and all nations on earth will be blessed through you.”
- Devotion to The Fellowship.
- Devoted themselves to participation, to ownership, to the koinonia, the community of believers.
- There is the foundation of the reality of relationships that cannot just be expressed in meetings but must overflow to the joyful gathering together in each others homes.
- There is an organic component to this that is critical for us to pursue and embrace.
Acts 2:46-47 (NIV) [46b] 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.
- Devotion to The Breaking of Bread.
- Devotion to remembering the cross, to keeping the cross at the center, a devotion to worship, to honor the “Lamb who was slain.”
- A devotion to Jesus – this is the gathering point. We gather around Jesus.
- We don’t gather around any man or woman, any gift or any structure. We gather around Jesus.
- Devotion to Prayer.
- In understanding the spiritual nature of the kingdom, prayer stands at the center as the means of influencing and impacting the lives of people.