Sunday: Teaching and Fellowship
After Pentecost, Luke shifts the narrative to a general description of the inner life of the church in Jerusalem. “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42, NKJV). The four items noted appear to be basically teaching and fellowship. According to verse 46, the teaching was carried out in the temple, while the fellowship was in private homes.
Image © Lifeway Coll. Goodsalt.com
The temple court was surrounded by roofed porches that were frequently used for rabbinic instruction. That the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching shows that the gift of the Spirit did not lead them to a contemplative religion but to an intense learning process under the apostles, whose authoritative teaching was authenticated by wonders and signs (Acts 2:43).
Spiritual fellowship was another distinctive mark of early Christian piety. The believers were constantly together, not only in the temple but also in their homes, where they shared meals, celebrated the Lord’s Supper, and prayed (Acts 2:42, Acts 2:46). By having such daily celebrations, the early Christians expressed their hope in Jesus’ soon return, when His fellowship with them would be restored in the Messianic kingdom (Matt. 26:29).
Private homes played a key role in the early church’s life. The believers still attended the temple’s daily ceremonies (Acts 3:1), and on Sabbaths they presumably were in the synagogues with their fellow Jews (James 2:2), but the distinctive elements of Christian devotion were performed in homes.
Read Acts 2:44-45; Acts 4:34-35. What was an important aspect of early Christian fellowship?
Believing that the end was near, they decided that their material possessions, “private property” (to use a more up-to-date term), were not that important anymore. A common use of their material resources, therefore, seemed appropriate. There was no reason to worry about tomorrow, as the Messiah Himself would provide for their needs in the Messianic kingdom (Luke 22:29-30). This sharing allowed them to experience a deeper sense of unity, besides becoming an extraordinary example of Christian generosity.
| How generous are you with what you have been given from the Lord? |
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Remember the early church did not have the New Testament.
The people had to rely on the teaching of the Apostles.
The apostles talked about the life of Jesus.
Unlearned, uneducated, unwise suddenly became theological experts.
While we are arguing about ordination, God is calling, ordaining irrespective of race, color, national origin, sex or age. God is still in the business of saving soul. Animate and inanimate all will be used in testifying to the God of Love.
The greatest evidence of New Testament is the transformation of the twelve disciples.
The greatest evidence of the latter day saints living now are to show unity in the midst of diversity.
Three times the text mentions they ate together.
Fellowship of one another is crucial in our walk with the Lord.
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Christ is interested in fellowship not an hour on Saturday.
A key element of the early church was the "gathering together" for meals and meetings. We sometimes, in our quest for theological purity, ignore the importance of the social aspect of the Gospel. In fact, we often use the term "social gospel" in a pejorative sense.
The Gospel is best preached in a socially active environment where we can support and encourage one another. How many times do we read in the New Testament that they gathered together to break bread? This wasn't the celebration of the communion service with token food items, but for full-on meals together (a bit like a pot-luck meal). The early church was formed using social interaction.
In our modern world, we tend to be much more isolationist. How many of our churches operate on a few meetings on Sabbath only? I know we live in a different world now, but providing the social context for the sharing of the Gospel is something that deserves more of our attention. Too many of us are socially isolated and that leads to spiritual isolation - not a good environment for spreading the gospel.
I must ask: are we really in such a different world today? Before Pentecost, there is no mention of sharing daily meals or property/means with all believers, so perhaps they were no different than today prior to preparing their hearts for the Holy Spirit.
So does this sharing of meals signify a fundamental change that follows genuine conversion and reception of the Spirit? Why make note of it otherwise? Notice also what came along with it, in how they shared their property/means for the common good of all. There was first a oneness among them before the Spirit could be received, and it was shown in tangible ways once the Holy Spirit came, and not just a sentimental chorus sung at camp meetings before everyone goes back to business as usual.
Today we observe many divisions in the church, with their debates and selective gatherings that often disparage the opposition while strengthening their cause against the other opinion.
Also, generally speaking, churches seem prone to take care of all "business" on Sabbath, leaving the church without any activity for the 6 other days(with exception of the tiny group at prayer meeting), thus crowding the worship service with many preliminaries and distractions from the purpose of that sacred hour. Some call it "the King's Business". (Where is the scripture [or EGW] support for this practice?)
So, what makes it different now? Why the great lack of oneness or zeal for the cause of God and one another? Where is the earnest study of scripture(please don't suggest SS, don't we all know better?)with it's observable blessing of individuals growing in grace and knowledge of Jesus?
I'd like to suggest that God will have a people with a similar experience as the apostolic church as well as what was experienced in the early advent movement that founded the SDA church. Will/do we find ourselves among those seeking this experience?
We can't experience oneness and coldness at the same time. What did Jesus say that will cause love to "wax cold"?
There are quite a few difference, and yes a lot of similarities as well. The trick is to work out how to apply the fundamental principles to the modern environment.
Robert Whiteman
I tend to disagree with your point in the 4th paragraph "leaving the church without any activity for the 6 other days(with exception of the tiny group at prayer meeting), thus crowding the worship service with many preliminaries and distractions from the purpose of that sacred hour. Some call it "the King's Business".
In my Local Church in Nigeria, Wednessdays are for evening worships, Fridays for Bible Studies, Sundays for Home Fellowships. Probably Thursdays or any of the free weekdays for one program or the other.
Though it's true that Saturdays are sometimes choked with programs which is high time the church leadership from the GC sits into it. Let the Sabbath Day be a day of worship and communion with the Lord, a day of rest and not a day to be burdened with activities.
Sarah, glad to know the "general rule" is not followed in all places. I am aware of this possibility, and my statement refers to the general practice in nearly every congregation I have been a member of over the years. Yes, efforts have been made to change that, but little to no response has been the case. The reactions have been very revealing, as expected unfortunately. But there has been times of encouragement as well. God is still gathering all who will be gathered in harmony with His will.
Bros. Ashton & White- I'm on this with you! I picked the beam out of my eyes first. I recalled when we used to bring home others for lunch and share the word and hastily return for Bible Class & AY. My family and a few others decided it would be best to bring our meals as well as prepared meals for our church families every Sabbath. The main reason was to make sure visitors as well as members stayed after fellowship for Spirit of Prophecy Reading & Bible Class and or Prayer Walk and all other programs Sabbath afternoon. This was our main motive. However, after awhile we realized members would either take the food or eat and would leave just the same. We still continue to serve lunch every Sabbath and continue with the above; even though only a few stayed back and are in support.
I believe we have become so deficient that we have been managing without the aid of the HolySpirit and still call our feeble effort the work of the Spirit. Personally, I've been asking God to take me back to the place I first believe because the church as well as myself is destitute.
Thanks again for your insightful contribution.
Yes, the early church DID have the New Testament, as it was being given over the days/months/years of it's initial growth. And it always pointed back to the OT scriptures as the source of truth, which these NT scriptures highlight.
Besides, how accessible and complete were the OT scriptures at that time? It's not like there were Christian book stores in every community.
it is our duties to preach the gospel and it is the chance we have got to participate and work in the vineyard of Jesus Christ!
You are right Ishimwe, but how did the early church do this? What are the elements of the first church approach that are relevant today?
I believe that sharing what we have in love is one way we can demonstrate our willingness to selflessly serve in God's vineyard. As long as one has in store countless material riches while there are destitutes in the same church, it remains a sign we are still far from Home. Lets think carefully about it brethren!
The assertion that there are those in the church who hold material riches while others are destitute is a broad statement that really needs some qualification. I have seen people in real need being helped by others who have material wealth in the Church. And it happens much more often than we see or hear about. Some people, in spite of all the help given, remain destitute because that is simply the way they want to be. it is not always easy to help people. (Incidently, the sisters need to think about it too! {grin})
Also, some people tend to be destitute because they have very bad habits of industry and of how they manage their material goods also. I know of a Christian brother that never seems to have enough money for gas for his vehicles or for food because one of his bad habits is to gamble his money at times and another one is that he sometimes does not show up to finish a job and someone else has to finish it for him.
In the early church the Holy Spirit was an integral part of the receiving and giving. In our materialistic culture we are often concerned about how money and goods are used by those who receive assistance.
I'm not saying there should be no criteria for giving. I would like to suggest that when we allow the Spirit to move us individually to give and we pray for wisdom, God has promised He would give it James 1:5-6. God decerns the hearts of men Jeremiah 17:9-10.
As humans the temptation to base our refusal to help someone on our understanding and evidence making them unworthy of help, I believe, is often even unintentional.
Without the help of the Holy Spirit we can be unaware of the fact that we judge from appearance or cultural norms stating who is deserving verses who isn't. Sometimes we do it without even recognizing that we've made our decisions based on bias rather than on principle.
The early church even with conflicts that may have arisen had a sure guide in the Holy Spirit. We also have access to the wisdom of God thru Him. We have the promise that He will be given in even greater portion in our times as this world history comes to an end.
The question is: "What was an important aspect of early Christian fellowship?"
The focus will generally be on the sharing of meals and means/property, yet these are only the outward views of the "important aspect" aren't they?
They had achieved "one accord" prior to the receiving of the Holy Spirit, without which there would be no Holy Spirit in their midst due to the lack of one accord as they were prior to this. What does that say about our condition today?
As I have come to understand this, the "one accord" can only come among those who, like Jesus, become "meek and lowly of heart". This is from the absence of pride and self-esteem that comes as standard equipment in the fallen nature. Without repentance, this selfishness will remain unchecked. We might say that the early church had finally taken to heart the path laid out by Jesus in the Beatitudes of Matt 5:3-12. Jesus'prescription for the sinner becoming a partaker of the Divine nature, and being filled with the Holy Spirit, is just as effective today as back then.
I think the assertion that people choose to remain destitute is a broad and hurtful assumption. I have seen many a church member struggle to break the cycle of poverty and it is statements like that that caused them to feel judged and alone in their struggles.
To clarify: I did not say that every person who is destitute chooses to be that way. But some people make poor decisions by refusing good opportunities. We are currently helping such a person, not with financial help - that would be a disaster, - but ensuring they have a place to live. I cannot give details because it would identify the person but it is a lifetime project. You don't throw away friends because they make bad decisions but support needs to be carefully thought about.
Fellowship is also a means of "Walking the walk" or displaying the means of the Gospel to those who may not fully understand the hearing of the Word. As those more experienced Christians interact with the unlearned (baby Christians) they can learn by example what the Word of God means as they see the Word displayed in the "actions" of the more experienced. There are many people who do not easily learn from hearing a teaching or reading it but as they "experience" it, they gain a better understanding.
This is why it is so very important to "Walk in the Spirit" so that our character and actions do not offend, hurt, wound the reputation of the Gospel. Example: We are to walk in love preferring our brother over ourselves. If there is a line to get the last of the meal, do you step in front of another to get it or do you allow your brother to go first? This is "Walking the walk". Knowing how to love and forgive and difficult for some in certain situations but as newcomers see and hear us talk about the many things in our own lives and how we had opportunities to love and unlovely person or to forgive the unforgivable, it will help those others to see that it is the Lord's way to do things. As Christians, we need to also remember that our actions can HINDER the work of the Lord if we act contrary to His instruction.