Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine
and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
This is the first recognition to the first Church. The verse
says that they had continued steadfastly in this meaning that they held on to
these principles and tried their best to not give up. The reason for their strong
hold in the doctrine is seen in the previous verse where they had gladly
accepted the word of God. They were excited because they understood their sins
and their statuses and remission of sins was a real excitement to them. When
they were convicted, they immediately sought for cleansing and the blood of
Jesus was the greatest gift to them. They gladly received the gospel as they
received it. This gladness helped them to strongly hold the message they had
just learnt.
Apostles’ Doctrine:
The doctrine has to come from the Apostles because they had one
important qualification than all the others which we read in 1:21, being a
witness of His resurrection. This responsibility was very important and made
them busy that they had to fully concentrate on preaching this as per acts 6:2.
It was not that they are promoted to higher positions, but it was because they
did not have time.
We can read the purpose of the doctrine in Romans 1:7 where
every believer should obey to the faith. This is the start of the book of
Romans and in the End also Paul concludes with the same statement. The faith
that initiates in us through signs and wonders should bring us towards
obedience where we forsake the world behind us and come forward to obey Him who
is resurrected. The doctrine can be written as “The kingdom of God is at hand.”
(Mathew 10:7) and then (Acts 2:38,39) that only when we repent, be baptized in the
name of Jesus for the remission of sins, we will receive the gift of the Holy
Spirit who teaches and makes us worthy of the kingdom of God.
It is very important for the church to never deviate from
this doctrine. If any other way or method is prioritized more than repentance
and grace, we are in a wrong place. The Church should be steadfast in this
teaching and not anything else. Every member of the church should be motivated
to proclaim that Jesus is Lord. We may have had money, sin and lust as our
lords, but a true repentance is to receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Fellowship:
1 John 1:7 gives the motivation towards fellowship which is walking
in the light. Since Jesus is the light and we walk with Him, our darkness
becomes open and so, we get knowledge about ours and others’ problems also. To
handle this situation that easily brings condemnation, Jesus recommends
Fellowship to us. The word fellowship itself points to equality in the church. We
have fellowship with God means that we want to partner with Him by desiring His
kingdom. Fellowship is clearly explained in Philippians 1:7 where we are
partakers of the same grace that was given to one person. God’s abundance grace
has been shed on all of us so that we all understand the position of ourselves
in sin and so, come to Christ together and partake together in the grace. The
fellowship is clearly demonstrated in the early church where they said that
everything that belongs to me is yours and all that is yours is min according
to John 17:10. The interesting part is that they gladly shared and not forced. Not
a part of the Church shared everything, but all those who believed did that.
Their faith on the heavenly kingdom is so strong that they could open up all
their savings into the Church and shared.
Breaking of Bread:
The breaking of bread is a constant and a steadfast
happening in the church. They broke bread not on intervals but used every
opportunity to break bread. The remembrance is that we all consume Jesus as the
only food we can nourish upon. As per Luke 24:35, we properly recognize Christ
only when we break bread. A church should ensure that Jesus is the only bread
that can give life and keep honoring Jesus in our lives. We do not understand
Jesus if we do not take Him as our food and the church will be a boring place
where we are forced to sit for hours. But if we look at the time as an
opportunity to remember the Lord’s sacrifices in our life, gladness will flow
in our hearts.
Prayer:
Steadfastness in prayer is something the early Church did.
In Colossians 4:2,3 Paul advises them to continue steadfast in Prayer and be
watchful in there also. Prayer at times can be very deceiving and we have to be
careful while praying for things that we do not agree for. If we say Amen to
somebody who seeks evil, we are not vigilant and will lose ourselves. Prayer
should exactly be a format from Mathew 6:9 onwards. Complete selfless
submission to God is expected in prayer. That’s why Paul says, Pray also for my
needs. Since they were already praying, the requirements of Paul should have
been included in the prayer. But Paul says, Pray also for me because that
petition is not part of the steadfast prayer we are expected to do originally. As
a church praying for material needs, security and solutions are not denied here.
But our steadfast prayer together in fellowship should be declaration that
Kingdom, Glory and Power should be His alone.
With these signs, every church will be able to progress well
in the Lord’s will. And as per Acts 2:46, 47 they were all glad and had no
deceit in their hearts. The reason is the above four priorities in the Church. As
soon as people were saved, God Himself ensured they are in this righteous church.
Amen.
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