Acts 2:42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
What is the mark of a healthy and growing church? There are three things we notice from the early church when they experienced explosive growth.
1. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching
As believers, we do not live by bread alone but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. The word of God is our daily bread. And we see that early believers devoted themselves to nourishing their spirits as they committed their times to the apostles’ teaching
2. Fellowship
Not only receiving the truth thru the Scripture by the apostles but also, early church believers devoted their time to fellowship. In this time and age, we either isolate ourselves our surround ourselves with those whose interest is very far from God’s truth. However, the early church believers made an effort to gather and held fellowship with fellow believers who shared the same dream and passion for God’s Kingdom and Righteousness.
3. Breaking of bread and to prayer
The worldly fellowship or ‘club meetings’ can revolve around what people find interesting. Whether it’s golf or shopping, there are many reasons why people gather. But believers gathered to break bread, the ultimate bread that gives life, Jesus Christ with one another. Meaning, their gatherings revolved around meditating and deepening their faith to Jesus Christ as they received nourishment from His truth and love. Also, this was done through corporate prayer where they united their hearts and minds together toward Jesus Christ.
4. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need
This is not communism but the love of Christ bearing fruit through a life of generosity. Believers were committed to each other’s need and did what they can to help others in need, even up to the extent of selling their property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. When Christ’s love touches our hearts, we are enabled by the Holy Spirit to become generous and caring.
May God’s grace let the Holy Spirit powerfully work in all of us. Let us be reminded of Christ’s love through the working of the Holy Spirit so that we too may live the life of faith, hope and love like our Lord Jesus Christ.