Christian Community

Scripture – Acts 2:42-47: ⁴²They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. ⁴⁴All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. ⁴⁶Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Reflection: – There is great confidence found in trusting Christ to be in charge. I don’t have to figure things out. I just have to be sensitive to His direction, trusting He already has things figured out.

As the story in Acts continues, there’s no sense of panic or confusion after these thousands of new people joined the Christian community. An order, of sorts, was put into practice rather quickly it seems.

The people devoted themselves to “the apostle’s teaching.” That was the closest they had to a New Testament. The apostle’s teaching had the authority we give scripture today. That’s why we devote ourselves to daily Bible reading and reflection. That’s where I usually encounter God’s word and direction for my life. It feeds me in ways beyond description.

They also devoted themselves “to the fellowship” – eating together, sharing their stuff together, praying together. There is no substitute for Christian community. That’s part of the nature of the church. That can be one of the great strengths of smaller churches. In light of their devotion, “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

How have you experienced the confidence found in trusting Christ to be in charge? Who makes up your Christian community? How does that community impact your daily life?