Right after the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Day of Pentecost, the church grew rapidly. There was amazing unity in the church that was being formed as was evidenced in Acts 2:42-47.
2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all [men], as every man had need.
2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
The unity of the church was based on the principles of leadership, fellowship and worship, which are still so fundamentally important to the church body. In fact, the night Jesus was arrested, the unity of believers was paramount in His mind as He prayed in the garden:
17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Leadership:
"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching" (2:42). The apostles were eyewitnesses to the ministry, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. That made them uniquely qualified to lead the early church. They had first-hand experience with the Lord and their apprenticeship was under Him.
God is still calling and qualifying leaders for the church:
12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
I have been in a church without solid leadership. Literally, the microphone was turned over to whomever walked to the front of the church and reached for it. The sheep were in charge of the pasture. Sounds good, but remember Paul's warning:
20:27 For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.
20:28 Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood.
20:29 I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock;
20:30 and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
20:31 Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears.
Fellowship:
The Greek word for fellowship in 2:42 is koinonia meaning much more than just a pleasant meeting together, yes, and also more than "dinner on the grounds." It means partnership, benefaction, associate, companion (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible). According to Rev. Adrien Dieleman in his message "A Fellowshipping Church" (preached June 21, Trinity United Reformed Church, Vesalia, California), it is a "coming together" in one mind and accord, as on the Day of Pentecost. "It starts with Christ and it ends with our relationship to and with fellow believers. Don't forget, its focus is our common life in Christ. [Koinonia] means that we act in a certain way toward one another. [It] further means that we do not act in certain other ways toward one another:
Love one another (John 13:34-35, Gal. 5:14)
Encourage one another (Heb. 3:13, 10:24-25)
Be devoted to one another (Rom. 12:10)
Build up one another (Rom. 14:19, I Thess. 5:11)
Be kind to one another (I Thess. 5:15)
Accept one another (Rom. 15:7)
Serve one another (Gal. 5:13)
Have concern for one another (I Cor. 12:25)
Confess your sins to one another (John 5:16)
Forgive one another (Eph 4:32)
Teach and admonish one another (Col. 5:16)
Pray for one another (John 5:16)
Don't judge one another (Rom. 14:13)
Don't slander one another (John 4:11)"
I might add that where there was need, they shared with one another so no one was destitute.
Worship:
"They devoted themselves to . . . the breaking of bread (The Lord's Supper) and to prayer. Everyday they continued to meet together in the temple courts" (2:42, 46a). The KJV says they continued steadfastly. In the Greek that is proskartereo--to be earnest toward, to attend assiduously (constantly, carefully, diligently) all the exercises, to adhere closely and continually (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible). In other words, they took their worship seriously! Paul encourages the church, "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the day approaching" (Heb. 10:24-25). Worship in all its forms should be a way of life to those who love the Lord."I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy ans pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship" (Rom. 12:1).
Strong leadership, fellowship and worship--what did it produce? "Every day they continued to meet together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were saved" (2:46-47). Sounds like a good time to me.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the church. Help us to be a healthy body, designed according to Your plan and for Your purpose. Bless each local body with strong leadership, fellowship and worship, and add to our number daily those who are saved. Amen
2:46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts,
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