Untitled Sermon (16)

“One faith” refers to the body of truth called the apostles’ doctrine (see Acts 2:42). When this is denied, there are divisions. There must be substance to form an adhesion of believers. This substance is correct doctrine.

J. Vernon McGee

Apostolic authority is enshrined in the Scriptures, in the canon. The Scriptures constitute our sole and final authority, and the teaching of the apostles is preserved in the scriptural witness (Acts 2:42).

Thomas Schreiner

And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved: This is God’s prescription for church growth. If we take care to follow the example of Acts 2:42–47a, God will take care of growing the church Himself.

David Guzik

The most fundamental duty Christians have in relation to the congregation is the duty to regularly attend gatherings of the congregation (see Heb. 10:25; cf. Ps. 84:4, 10; Acts 2:42).

Mark Dever

Some church leaders evidently think the four priorities of the early church—the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42)—make a lame agenda for the church in this day and age. Churches are allowing drama, music, recreation, entertainment, self-help programs, and similar enterprises to eclipse traditional Sunday worship and fellowship. In fact, everything seems to be in fashion in the church today except biblical preaching.

John F. MacArthur

Recall the shape of apostolic church life and growth in Acts 2:42, where believers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Often today, devotion to the apostles’ teaching is subordinated to a wearying regimen of entertainment. If adults have come to believe that doctrine is unimportant and that nothing in the Christian life is worth investing in unless it can be measured in terms of fun, they may have learned this in their youth group.

Michael Horton

The fact that we share social activities with other Christians does not of itself imply that we have fellowship with them.

J. I. Packer

Christian growth cannot be self-centred and individualistic, for it occurs in the context of fellowship, a fellowship which must deepen and remain for all eternity.

Wayne Grudem

You do not start with fellowship, you must start with doctrine. There is no fellowship apart from the doctrine. The order is absolutely vital.

Christian Conduct, 193

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones

No, this is the message, the message that was given to John and his fellow Apostles; I have entered into fellowship with the Apostles and I am repeating their message. But the mystic says he has received a new and fresh message and that he is in a state of direct inspiration.

Fellowship with God, 94

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones