ETB Acts 2:41-47

Session 3 - p.28 - United

Christian unity and fellowship are unique marks of the church. Of course, various groups throughout history have created societies for support and cooperation. But at its core, the community of faith is very different. While all humans are communal creatures and need contact with other people, the work and ministry of the church is based solely on the unique and finished work of Christ. Biblical Christian fellowship consistently and constantly encourages others to seek Christ, to forsake self-reliance, and to trust Him in all things. [LifeWay Adults (2024). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Spring 2024]

Understand the Context

Acts 2 shares how the church came into being. Rather than being the brainstorm of some human, the church was established by the purposes of God, the promise of Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit. This was a new day for those who followed God.

God’s people have always been formed by God’s words, and the early church embraced the words of God as they began the mission of sharing the gospel with others. At Pentecost, some three thousand people accepted God’s words through Peter (Acts 2:1-41).

After Pentecost, this core group then started living out their faith in tangible ways as they understood God’s direction (2:42-47). They experienced unity in Christ, which strengthened both their fellowship with one another and their witness to the world. As a result, Christ continued to multiply their efforts and draw people into a relationship with Himself. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

What commonalities can you find between the early church and your congregation?

Explore the Text

Acts 2:41–43 ESV

41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 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.

Received the Word were baptized

The people we looked at last week that were asking honest questions about “what does this mean” and “What shall we do” heard Peter’s plea of repentance and they took it to heart and accepted Christ as the Savior and Messiah. As an outward display of that commitment, they followed Peter’s words and were baptized. Like today, there may have been a number of people who heard the message and mentally gave accent to it, but did not “receive” it into their lives and allow it to change them for eternity. Baptism is just a public bath if their is no commitment to Christ.

Baptism, or religious cleansing was not some new to the Jewish culture. They had practiced purification rituals with bathing or immersion since the Mosaic law had been enacted.

Lexham Theological Wordbook Concept Summary

The condition of ritual uncleanness was not sinful but part of being human, and hence, the cleansing effect of ritual washing was not moral in nature. In the OT, the act of immersion is primarily expressed through the terms טָבַל (ṭābal, “dip”) and רָחַץ (rāḥaṣ, “wash”), and the washing is related to both ritual purity and physical cleansing.

Lexham Theological Wordbook Concept Summary

In the NT, the concept of washing for ritual purity continues, but the baptisms or immersions connected with John the Baptist and Jesus are related to spiritual purity, involving repentance and confession of sin (Matt 3:4–6).

Like many of the rituals used by the Jewish people, Jesus did not change the means and methods of these rituals, or their motive and intent. Baptism or ritual public cleansing was still needed, but as a testimony of spiritual cleansing by God instead of personal purification to approach Him.

added that day about three thousand souls.

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary Chapter 2

When the law came down, three thousand men died (Exodus 32:28). When the Spirit came down, three thousand souls were saved.

MacArthur had a note in his commentary that could answer the question posed last week about how they could baptize 3000 people.

The MacArthur Bible Commentary B. The Founding of the Church (2:1–47)

Archeological work on the south side of the temple mount has uncovered numerous Jewish mikvahs, large baptistry-like facilities where Jewish worshipers would immerse themselves in ritual purification before entering the temple. More than enough existed to facilitate the large number of baptisms in a short amount of time.

Ask: How can mature believers help new believers grow spiritually? (PSG, p. 32)

The same way that equally mature believers encourage each other, pointing them to God’s Word and letting Him show them their shortcomings. That is what studying each week does for me so that I can hopefully do the same for you when we gather in this room.

devoted themselves

The Moody Bible Commentary e. The Salvation and Fellowship of Three Thousand (2:41–47)

(proskartereo) means “exerting great effort to persist in doing something.” It indicates action that is continuous and habitual.

There were not “one and done” activities, this was the beginning of character changing habits. Paul uses the same Greek word to the Colossians.

Colossians 4:2 “2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”

Christ expressed a similar concept to the disciples:

John 8:31 “31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,”

My readings this month in my devotional by MacArthur as from the book of James who writes about being a “doer of the Word.”

Drawing Near—Daily Readings for a Deeper Faith June 12

When you have that level of commitment to the Word, you will be an effectual doer—one who is in union with God’s will and seeks to obey it above all else. As you do that, God will bless you. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be successful in the eyes of the world, but your priorities and perspectives will be right, and the Lord will honor what you do.

We see that truth coming out of the Scriptures here at the very beginnings of the church.

apostles’ teaching - some versions say doctrine

They did not have the benefit of the written word yet, so their teachings were all oral. Today we still have “the apostles’ teachings” because of the canon of Scripture. We can be even more devoted to its study since we have the completed Word of God instead of only the Old Testament. Our only disadvantage is that we do not have access to those who wrote these words down that we may question them, but we do have access to the original Author and Inspiration just like the apostle’s and the first disciples.

Another way they had access to the apostle’s teachings is by hearing it proclaimed, not just from Peter but all 12. We are blessed to have 3 pastors that are dedicated to rightly presenting the Word of God to us as much as the disciples were.

Romans 16:17 “17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.” (doctrine) same Greek word as teaching in our verse today.

As we go other places we must rely on the Holy Spirit to help us discern the truths that other say are from God’s Word. There are many who force their agenda’s through the words of Scripture instead of letting God speak for Himself through His word. Devoting ourselves to teaching is good, but only if it is sound and theologically correct. When we find this kind of teaching, we will find others that also equally devoted to it, which lead the gathering together around a common ideal.

fellowship

When you hear that word “fellowship” in the Bible, what do you think of?

Luke used the Greek word koinonia, which involves more than simply meeting at the same place at the same time. It emphasizes sharing life together and actively participating in the experiences of others.

This fellowship is possible because we have been united in Christ, and our love for one another will demonstrate to the world that we belong to Him (John 13:34-35). By loving and caring for one another in practical ways, Christ followers nurture unity within the church, which produces true fellowship. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

Being devoted to the “fellowship” means more than just showing up to be with the group to worship, they also did what was necessary before and after the time together to make the fellowship time the most fruitful. They did what was needed to help protect the unity and safety of those in the congregation. With over 3000 people now there were administrative as well as practical items that needed attention. All of this was a part of the earthly devotion to the fellowship.

What about spiritually? How would a individual be “devoted” to the congregation spiritually?

1 John 1:3 “3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

Each person is gifted by God both naturally and spiritually for believers. Using both of these for the “edification of the church” is why God gave us those abilities. When “devote” ourselves to the Lord and His church by actively using, practicing, and honing those skills to be the best “tool in the Master’s Hand” that we can be.

How are all these aspects represented in our modern world?

breaking of bread

The Moody Bible Commentary e. The Salvation and Fellowship of Three Thousand (2:41–47)

It probably included both the Lord’s Supper and a common meal (2:46; 20:7; 1Co 10:16). At the meal they celebrated their communion with one another. At the Lord’s Table they celebrated their communion with the risen Christ.

The Greek word for “breaking” here is used only one other place in Scripture and it is not surprising that it is in Luke’s gospel. When the men on the road to Emmaus told Peter how they saw the risen Lord, they mentioned is was after he “broke bread” with them. The English phrase is used again in our passage today down in verse 46 but there is a key modifier on that one which tells us that those events happened “in their homes” which helps us understand that this “breaking of bread” did not happen there and was probably in the Temple grounds or during larger gatherings. Because of the “devotion” aspect and that this list is all spiritually linked, most scholars attribute this reference to the particular ritual we call the “Lord’s Supper.” When Christ instituted this, it was during the Passover week, so for these first century, first hand witness, there were probably some of those elements tied in with the ceremony.

I like that this is mentioned between “fellowship” and “prayer” and how it links the corporate parts with the individual. Part of their devotion would be to help everyone participate who could - which would be the fellowship aspect. But this is also a solemn occasion for reflection as well and the need for confession - that would be the prayerful individual part.

Different denominations have different views on how often this should be done. What are your thoughts about frequency?

How often do you think these believers were doing it?

Believer’s Bible Commentary D. The Day of Pentecost and the Birth of the Church (2:1–47)

From Acts 20:7 we learn that the practice of the early Christians was to break bread on the first day of the week. During the early days of the church, a love feast was held in connection with the Lord’s Supper as an expression of the love of the saints for one another.

I think it is possible that they did it less frequently as a complete body of believers than they did in their homes. Part of that is probably just practical and not being able to provide and coordinate something like that at every meeting. But the fact that they also did this in their homes is intriguing.

Have you ever “broke bread” in this spiritual context at your home? Would you consider doing it?

Maybe if we did take more of our church routines home into our family lives, they would be less encumbered by things of this world.

the prayers

They were devoted to “the prayers”, not just praying but the active petitioning for the fellowship and the apostle’s teaching to them. Notice how important it was to this group. It was equal to eating, gathering, and preaching. It is done by individuals but it benefits both individuals and fellowships. It is the only part they can do away from the group but for the group at the same time. It can be done during the teaching, the encouraging of others, and during the rituals. Not only were they active in praying, they were “devoted” to it. It was vital for the other “devotions” to be profitable spiritually.

So this leads us to the question, how devoted to prayer are you?

One pastor I had asked, “if everyone else in this church had the same prayer life as you, would we still be a church?”

Another one put it differently, “have you ever met anyone who prayed too much?”

I think one of my favorite concepts about our prayer life is a counter to the worldly adage “Life Happens.” Instead of offering up prayers when difficulties come up in life, let life interrupt your prayers.

Romans 12:12 “12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

Acts 2:43–45 ESV

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.

awe came upon every soul

Look at the results of these devotions

Awe/ phobos/ fear (of the Lord) continued to come upon every soul.

many (not a few) wonders and signs by the apostles.

People shared what they had because greed and coveting were removed.

They continued to get together and invited people into their homes.

They “found favor” with the community at large.

God worked.

Acts 2:44 “44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common.”

These last 4 verses are all one sentence in the Greek, meaning they all complete one thought focusing on the way God was working through all of them “in common” and for the benefit of the fellowship. The “all things” is this verse may be a summary of the items and blessings listed throughout our passage and may not be about possessions only.

selling possessions… distributing… any had need.

Difficult to tell from only this verse the extent too which their possessions were sold.

Luke 18:22 Jesus tells the rich man to sell all and give to “the poor” which in that context was those outside of the disciples.

In this verse it is difficult to tell definitively if those in need were other believers or those less fortunate in the community. If non-church members then the “all the people” in verse 47 has the broader context as well.

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary Chapter 2

You see, the early church didn’t arbitrarily say, “Wow! Here’s a groovy idea: Let’s live communally!” No, the believers in Jerusalem pooled whatever resources they had for the express purpose of allowing the new believers to remain in Jerusalem rather than having to return to the lands from which they came.

Probably another case where if two options are available, both are probably true in part.

Exalting Jesus in Acts Radical Generosity, Especially within the Church (2:45)

But while the church clearly displayed kindness and mercy to those outside the community, they gave particular attention to the needs of their brothers and sisters (cf. Gal 6:10).

Galatians 6:10 “10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Acts 2:46–47 ESV

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.

Attending the temple

The temple was still a logical meeting place for the early church. They understood that Jesus was the fulfillment of all the Old Testament promises, prophecies, and sacrifices, so their trips were not intended to continue the Old Testament practices. Instead, they focused on prayer and witnessing. The temple was the heart of Jerusalem, so Christ followers were obeying Jesus’s command to be His witnesses in Jerusalem by being present in this community hub. In addition, the temple offered plenty of space for church members to gather. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

having favor with all the people.

The writer of Acts used very similar wording in his gospel account when he described Jesus growing up.

Luke 2:52 “52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.”

We see the blessing and “favor of God” in the rest of these verses as He continues to increase and bind the group together in His ways. This makes me think that the “and man” and “all people” are the same group as well. It is a better testimony and gives God more glory in gaining favor with non-believers than only the believers.

Lord added to their number

Very clearly stated that it was not the apostles or the the disciples that added “numbers” but it was all the Lord’s work.

The Moody Bible Commentary e. The Salvation and Fellowship of Three Thousand (2:41–47)

Christ had promised, “I will build my church …” (Mt 16:18), and He kept His promise.

I also like that in the list of all the things that the disciples and apostle’s were dedicating themselves too, no where is evangelism mentioned. I am sure that it happened, but in the course of do all the other things out in the community and as the interacted with the public. They focused on doing God’s work and hearing God’s Word, and that drew people in and the Lord saved them. No knocking on doors, crusades, mass mailings, or public announcements, just focusing on that which God had called them too, and He did the rest.

Opening Up Acts The First Christian Church Is Formed (vv. 42–47)

This attitude of daily worship in all things and love for one another overflowed into evangelism as a part of everyday life (see John 13:34–35).

Maybe to be more effective we need less programs and to get back to this simple basics of the Christian faith: focus on God’s Word - both spoken and written; gathering together around God’s Word and encouraging each other through it; sharing meals both physical and ritual to strengthen both body and spirit; and praying over every aspect of life, every decision, every possession, and every needy soul we encounter. There is more than enough work to be done just in these areas to keep us busy for many years. Lets get back to the basics so God can do His work more readily through us.

Apply the Text

The early church did to doing these basic tenants of Christian living, and it made a difference. It drew people into their ranks. We need to live out our faith toward God and toward others in a way that also reveals Jesus as He is. Then because our obedience and “devotion” God can continue to build His church through us.

Suggest another class fellowship before the end of summer.