Fellowship of Believers

DAILY READING

 Acts 2:42-47

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

A Portrait of Devotion

By Karen Burkhart

Today's Bible reading paints a beautiful portrait of the first century Church. Oh, how I would have loved to have been there sharing in their devotion to the Word of God, true fellowship, and prayer, and witnessing the daily addition of new believers. Clearly, the Lord was at work among them, unifying them, and giving them favor with everyone. It doesn't get any better than that! 

I'll admit that when I consider the Church in America today, and even the little Church that lives at my address, I can't help but see a less attractive picture. Don't get me wrong--the picture can look pretty good on Sundays, especially if there's a potluck after the service. But what about the rest of the week? There's no shortage of devotion, that's for sure; but sadly, in our home that devotion often is not directed toward the One who matters most.  Could it be that the difference between us and first century believers is that we've lost our first love for Christ, or worse--never really loved Him? Or could it be that we've pulled ourselves away from the fire of Christian community and that's why our love has grown cold?

One might argue it was easier to live a life fully devoted to Christ in the first century than it is today. Under the constant threat of persecution, there was no social advantage to being a Christian. Early Christians counted the cost of discipleship and were willing to die for Christ which made their faith more robust. Constant opposition moved them to keep close-at-hand the lifelines of the Apostles' teaching, each other, and prayer. I would love for Christian devotion to increase without opposition or suffering, but I suspect for many of us, those are often the pushes we need to set our priorities straight. Though my flesh hates to suffer, I'm thankful that God has graciously given me enough to keep me clutching Him.  

Today, if you reflect on the scene in Acts 2 and it feels a little foreign, let me encourage you: you don't need to wait for things in your life to heat up before reconnecting with the Lord and His community. Take the wisdom from the letter to the Church at Ephesus who had lost their first love: "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first (Revelation 2:5)." Isn't it interesting that the prescription for a love that's grown cold is to do things--well, not just any things--the right things? 

I know it feels risky to return to Christian fellowship if you've stepped away for a while, but I promise it'll be worth it--not just to you but to the entire Body of Christ and the watching world. We were made to live in community with each other and fulfill the purposes of God side-by-side.  

PRAYER PRACTICE

Dear Father in Heaven,

Thank you for making us for relationship with You and one another. Thank you for the gift of true Christian fellowship that keeps us loving you and moving forward in the mission you left us with. Please reveal to me ways I may have pulled away from Your Body and how it may be affecting my devotion to You. Help me to move beyond superficial relationships with other believers so that we can experience true Christian fellowship.  

March 2 - The Power of Forgiveness

Acts 2:42-47

The power that flows from a community of forgiven people is a palpable power that leaps off the pages of this passage in Scripture. It’s a unique power and authority that we strain our eyes to see, at least with consistency and authenticity, in our church communities today. This passage paints a picture of Christian freedom lived out in community. This is a freedom that transcends any kind of political or socio-economic system. They felt the Spirit of God at work among them.


There is a unity and commonality that binds a group of sinners together who know that they are a forgiven people. There is an equality felt nowhere else in this world, than at the foot of the cross where humans look up at Christ and know, first, that’s God. And secondly, we killed God. And Christ, in His rich mercy looks down at me and you and makes us a promise with His very life, “You are forgiven.”

Christ’s words of forgiveness produce a freedom otherwise not known in this world. You are freed not from this world but set right back into the world to see your neighbor’s needs and meet them in joy, knowing that your abundance can meet other’s scarcity. And your scarcity is not a problem that cannot be met by God’s provision for you through the freedom of your neighbor. 

So, if you are longing for a community of faith where the Spirit brings this kind of freedom, head back to the cross and hear once again the accusation that you are a sinner. But take heart sinner, the promise of forgiveness from our God and Savior is available again today for you and for me. 

How the Church Works

Acts 2:42-47

I have always found this passage intimidating.  My Christian life doesn't look like this. I don't share everything in common with other believers. And I don't see people coming to Christ in huge numbers.....daily.

I tell myself that, well, it's okay, because that was the experience of the early Church. We can't expect things to be like that in 2020.

Perhaps not. Yes, Acts is a history book - the writer, St. Luke, is telling us what happened in those early days. It's not necessarily prescriptive. But there are definitely things we can learn from these brand new believers.

Fellowship was critical to their growth as a brand new church. They broke bread together DAILY.  They worshiped together DAILY. They saw amazing miracles DAILY. They shared ALL of their possessions.

Is worship an important part of your week? What about fellowship with other believers? Are you experiencing what it is like to share prayer requests, to pray for others, to read God's word together?  I would encourage you that if you are not, that you not delay - go to ualc.org/smallgroups and check out the small group information.  Once you experience small groups, you will never go back.

And take heart that when the first Christians broke bread together, they did so with "glad and sincere hearts" (v. 46). This is not a burdensome task. God will bless you when you make worship, fellowship, and prayer a priority.

Thank you, Lord, for the church, imperfect as it is - that's because it's filled with sinners just like me. Thank you that you long to bless me, and that as I experience your grace and truth, I will be a blessing to others.

ACT.2.42-47 NIV

Fellowship of Believers

Acts 2:42-47 (NIV) They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

This had to have been a great time in history. While deep in mourning, the followers of Jesus were given the gift of The Holy Spirit. They began to move forward, surfacing out of the depths of despair over the great loss suffered and started sharing their gift with all who would listen.

I wonder if these actions helped them find peace. Their new existence, new purpose following the death and Resurrection of Jesus provided a reason to get up in the morning - they had a job to do - just and we do.  "Go therefore and make disciples."

Back up just a bit and read from verse 40, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." These words are pertinent to today's time in history, for we are truly a 'corrupt generation.' How did we get here? What changed to bring us to this point in time, to this place of evil and self-satisfying behaviors? Or better question to ask is how do we return to a kinder gentler era?

It will only happen when we are open to a change of heart. It all begins when we open our hearts to the Spirit and reach out to others in love and kindness - when we practice Discipleship once again.

In Genesis 4:9 God asks Cain where his brother is and Cain responds with the famous line, "Am I my brother’s keeper?"  Today in the second chapter of Acts we learn that Jesus expects us to be just that, our brother’s keeper.'  

As members of a Body of Believers who believe that we are each other's keepers, this body will have an impact on society.  That caring fellowship will be a witnessing fellowship.  Where do I sign up?

 Acts 2:42-47