January 20, 2023 | Be On Mission
How the First Christians were Devoted
Scripture: Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who 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.
Devotional
Christianity grew from about one hundred twenty people to three thousand in an instant. Praise God! It is interesting to see how these first Christians formed their lives. As you read through these, ask yourself how you are doing in your devotion to God.
OBEDIENCE
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, which encompassed the life of Jesus, the entire Old Testament that preceded it, and the rest of the New Testament as it was unfolding in real time.
COMMUNITY
They spent time in fellowship and shared meals in one another’s homes. Nobody thought that religion was a private thing.
PRAYER
Yes, prayer was a foundational part of their newfound faith. They couldn’t imagine trying to be a follower of Jesus without a deep prayer life.
MIRACLES
These thousands of new believers lived in the awe of signs and wonders being performed regularly in their midst. The Holy Spirit was thick!
SELFLESSNESS
Those who had more than they needed gave of their excess to provide for those in need. Possessions were seen as gifts from God to be shared.
WORSHIP
They met in the temple courts for corporate worship, and their public praise of God earned them the favor of the broader community.
WITNESS
As they enjoyed the favor of the surrounding community, people continued to get saved and the Church continued to grow.
Poem
Basic Tables
Acts 2: 46-47
There are patterns
One must learn
From counting
One to ten
From writing
Numbers
Straight, curves
Soon tally
Add this to that
Then take away
Subtract fractions
Learn how to
Multiply
Divide the primes
Learn by rote
Keep in mind
Basic tables
There are devotions
One must practice
From dawning
Hours twenty-four
From gathering
Together
Teaching, fellowship
Soon number
Add prayer to praise
Then take away
Subtract hoarding
Multiply
Divide the bread
Learn by love
Keep one mind
Basic tables
