The Early Church
All those who were saved at Pentecost, along with the original disciples, constituted the New Testament church. Luke recorded how the earliest church operated. They devoted themselves to: (1) the apostle’s teaching; (2) the fellowship; (3) the breaking of bread; and (4) the prayers. (42)
Apostles Teaching
The Apostles taught what they learned from Jesus. They taught the Old Testament as it related to Jesus. Jesus had promised them that the Holy Spirit would teach them all things and bring to their remembrance all that he taught them. (John 14:26) This explains how Peter was able to preach the great Pentecost sermon.
And they taught the Old Testament as it related to Jesus. Jesus had “opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45) Just as he did on the road to Emmaus. (Luke 24:27)
It is the same thing Paul did in the synagogue. (See Acts 13; 17)
The lesson for us is that we do not study or teach the Old Testament as a collection of unrelated stories. Rather, we teach it as leading to Jesus.
After Pentecost, the Apostles met with groups of new believers and taught them. That is part of making disciples, according to Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20: teaching them all that Jesus taught and applying it to their lives.
Today we have the teaching of the apostles in the New Testament scriptures. We continue the instruction of Jesus to teach his teachings to others, making them disciples.
The Fellowship
The believers were devoted to gathering together and sharing what they had. The word for sharing, in Greek, is “Koinonia”. They shared themselves, befriending and caring for one another. All of them were together. (44) They met at the temple and ate together in homes. (46)
They also shared their material possessions. They had all things in common, meaning they did not consider their property and possessions to belong to themselves individually, but to all. (44) Some even sold possessions and gave the proceeds to those believers who were in need. (45)
The Breaking of Bread
There is debate about whether this means simply having a meal together or participating in the Lord’s Supper. It could mean both, however. Looking at the example of Corinth, it appears that they had a meal together and also observed the Lord’s Supper. (1 Corinthians 11:20-22)
The Prayers
When the church gathered together, it prayed. We will see prayers in later chapters for specific needs. It could also be that they recited prayers from the Psalms.
There was a prevailing sense of awe among the believers as they did these things. First, because of the awesomeness of Jesus’ resurrection. In addition, the the Holy Spirit did signs and wonders through the Apostles. (43) Remember the prophecy of Joel 2, as quoted by Peter, said there would be signs on earth when God poured out his Holy Spirit. (19)
As Jesus’ signs showed his deity, these signs showed the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the Apostles. They were empowered to accomplish the mission that Jesus gave them. They were thankful (46) and they praised God. The signs were also, as Jesus said, signs that the kingdom had come, that a new age was beginning.
All of this lead them to have favor with others, even non-believers. And it led to others being saved daily. (47) Generosity is attractive. A loving attitude toward others is attractive. These attitudes draw people to you and allow you to lead them to Jesus.
This week, try to capture the sense of awe, the sense of gladness and the spirit of generosity that possessed the first believers. Then speak the gospel to those who are drawn to you.
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