ACHIEVING THE UNITY OF THE EARLY CHURCH:
AN EXEGESIS OF ACTS 2:41-47
By: Daniel McMillin
PURSUING NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANITY
When I look at the Bible and I investigate the early church and see how incredible they were in their devotion to the faith in their fellowship, worship, and evangelism, I would hope to find that this church still exists today. If the words of the Bible are true, that this is an eternal kingdom that will never fall or be destroyed, then I would expect this kingdom to still stand. But if I were to walk into any building that said the word “church,” had Bibles in the pews, and claimed to follow Jesus, I may be disappointed that by the time I walk into the doors of this building and get to know the people and worship with them, that they do not closely align with what the New Testament says. Sadly, so many people claim their allegiance to Christ and fail to worship Him properly. They claim to be Christians but do not follow the New Testament. They call themselves a church but are structured in a way that does not resemble the early church. What about us? What do we do? Who are we as a Church? What do we look like? Hopefully, our answer will look something like this: We just want to follow God and be New Testament Christians, and we look to the Bible for guidance. Hopefully, what I would find at this Church is that the things we do and the people we are closely align with the New Testament. But if it doesn’t then we need to change. Because our aim should be to pursue and retrieve New Testament Christianity today.
THE DEVOTION OF THE EARLY CHURCH
The early Church did not take their salvation and discipleship lightly. They were eagerly and earnestly invested in this new life as “they devoted themselves” to the work and worship of Christ. Greg Allison says, “This inaugural church of Jerusalem was characterized by hearing the gospel, a response of repentance, and faith, baptism, instruction, community, the Lord’s Supper, prayer, sacrificial giving, hospitality, worship, and missional fruitfulness.” (The Church, 47) The four things mentioned by Luke are not used carelessly, but are concisely employed to illustrate the flourishing, faithfulness, and fellowship among the first converts to Christ. “If they devoted themselves to these things, then these must have been a regular part of their meetings together.” (Schreiner, Acts, 142) Luke mentioned them because they are significant. To illustrate how these are particular activities being highlighted, notice how Luke uses the article “the” before each event: teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, prayer (Wallace, Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics, 225) It is not just any sort of doctrine being taught, but it is the testimony of the apostles themselves. It is not just any sort of fellowship enjoyed by friends or family when they hang out together, but it is the intimate communion of God’s family. It is not just any regular meal that is being enjoyed for one’s nutritional value, but it is a meal that represents the sacrificial Lamb of God’s body and blood. It is not just any normal prayer being experienced in private, but it is a richer experience enjoyed by God’s people through the newly found mediator, Jesus Christ. Notably, Luke’s descriptions are not meant to be isolated for the first century as thought this was what the early Church did on the day of Pentecost and should not be replicated again. Rather, as we see with these early Christians, they not only did these things on that monumental day but every day since. Luke is describing the activity of the universal church in worship, fellowship, and charity. These are not just things the church did in the first century, but every century since. The reason this is so important is that if we want to call ourselves “New Testament Christians” and desire God to be our final authority for the Church so we may retrieve New Testament Christianity today, then we need to do what the early church did. We do not want to imitate the twentieth-century church; that’s not far back enough. We do not want to imitate the second-century church; that’s getting closer, but that’s not far back enough. We want to imitate the first-century church because they were guided and taught by the apostles through the Spirit. If we want to do what God wants us to do, we need to ask: What has God said and what did the early church do?
APOSTLES’ DOCTRINE
By devoting themselves to the apostles’ doctrine, they are devoting themselves to the activities the apostles taught. Why are they so important? The apostles were the “witnesses” of the risen Christ, empowered and led by the Holy Spirit, who passed down their testimony and teachings to the church and the world (Luke 24:44-48; Acts 1:1-8). The apostles were dedicated to the ministry of preaching and prayer (Acts 5:28, 42; 6:4). Their primary message was the gospel of Christ (cf. Acts 2:14-36), which was shaped by their witness of the resurrection of Jesus (Acts 1:8, 22). In Acts 4:2 and 33, we read about the controversial message of the apostles being presented by Peter and John. “They were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead…with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.” Notably, the book of Acts concludes with a summary of the message of the apostle Paul in Acts 28:31, “proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.”
“Teaching in Like-Acts is a broad term encompassing much more than the offer of the gospel, whereas preaching in Luke-Acts tends to be limited to the salvation message. As Luke-Acts progresses, Luke’s presentation of the gospel message becomes more focused on Jesus. That message is still one message and one hope because of its link to God’s promise, but the center of the promise residing in Jesus emerges most clearly after his resurrection. Prior to that, the kingdom and the salvation that came with the new era formed the key topic. But Jesus and the kingdom are still being preached in Acts right up to the end; thus, the difference is one of emphasis, not of substance.” (Bock)
It is the teaching of the apostles that formed and formulated the New Testament Church. “Teaching therefore not only birthed their community; it became a staple of their life together.” (Schreiner, Acts, 142) Here, we are given a reference to what is called “apostolic succession.” Ferguson defines it as follows: “Doctrine that ministry in the church derives from the apostles in historical continuity.” (“Apostolic Succession,” 94) In other words, the words and teachings of the apostles are being passed down to the body of Christ as the foundation of their faith and doctrine. This confirms the New Testament church was founded on the teachings of God and not merely the words of man. This is why doctrine is central to the identity of the Church; it is the teachings of God that shape the people of God. This is why preaching or teaching is crucial to worship in the assembly; it is the words of God that are being spoken to the people of God so they may hear and heed His message. “Acts stresses the priority and centrality of preaching and teaching to the church’s life together. The early church did not simply gather to consider a weekly sermon; they were constantly committed to hearing and heeding sound teaching.” (Tabb, “Worship in the Acts of the Apostles,” 391) Likewise, when we gather together, we are not simply gathering to just listen to a sermon and go about our business as usual. Our lives are meant to be convicted and guided by the words of our God, who is to be Lord of our lives, who directs our paths, passions, and purpose.
WORSHIP IN THE EARLY CHURCH
What would it have been like to worship in the first century? What would they have done? “We are told nothing about what a worship service looked like, how long it was, or what kind of hymns were sung. It is bare bones in terms of such detail. Luke is far more interested in how the church engages their calling to take the message of the gospel into the world.” (Bock, A Theology of Luke and Acts, 387)
How are we to worship? Luke says the church was “praising God” in verse 47, but what does that look like? Notably, “Acts does not prescribe set times and forms for Christian worship; rather, it presents us with a compelling narrative of God’s people submitting to Jesus’s lordship and offering true worship marked by biblical teaching, God-centered prayer, and radical fellowship in Christ.” (Tabb, “Worship in the Acts of the Apostles,” 393) We are not given this instruction manual that outlines all the things we need to do in worship as tightly in a bow as we would like. But we are given a pattern that is displayed in the New Testament that records the activity of the early church as they praised God. Much of the New Testament takes these acts of worship for granted and does not necessarily prescribe the activity, but assumes this is what Christians do when they glorify their God, and mostly addresses the attitude of one’s worship. For example, the Bible may not command us to pray or sing, but it does talk about how Christians ought to pray or sing.
Now we keep using that word worship, but what does the New Testament mean by “worship”? In many ways, this term may be taken for granted in our minds and be a form of Biblish where it is a term used by the church but not in our every day language. But it is also very foreign to our present age that is resistant or antagonistic to worship. But worship is a term that denotes one’s inferiority and the elevation of another’s superiority. Peterson says, “Worship in New Testament terms means responding with one’s whole life and being to the divine kingship of Jesus.” (Engaging with God, 144) It is to devote one’s entire self to the glory of Christ. “Believers’ whole lives are marked by a commitment to worship and serve the Lord Jesus, and they regularly express their devotion to and dependence on Christ by meeting together. According to Acts, such worship gatherings should be marked by (1) commitment to apostolic teaching, (2) constant prayer and praise, and (3) radical unity, love, and joy.” (Tabb, “Worship in the Acts of the Apostles,” 391) Christians are fundamentally worshippers meant to praise a being who is mightier, holier, and more glorious than ourselves.
FELLOWSHIP
The New Testament Church was very diverse. They experienced one of the most radical and polarizing difficulties of bridging barriers since the downfall of the Tower of Babel. But they not only dealt with language divisions but also ethical and ethnic issues that generated tension among God’s people. There was a historical divide between Jews and Gentiles that made it very difficult to bridge the chasm of differences. Yet, they said to be united to one body in Jesus Christ to experience the beautiful fellowship in the Spirit. “The new Spirit community was forming an alternative society within the larger society, and Christ called them out as a group, not merely as individuals.” (Schreiner, Acts, 142) God was forming a community where individuals could commune and fellowship regardless of their gender, ethnicity, or social status. And while the world around them may make a big deal out of those sorts of things, they found their true identity was in Christ. “Luke points to fellowship to underscore the personal interactive character of relationships in the early church at all levels.” (Bock, Acts, 150) This fellowship was not just something that grew over time, but was immediate. It was their unity that characterized the entire community. This fellowship was seen in a variety of ways. Whether it was their common goals, beliefs, activities, or the fact that they spent so much time together, we see that they were all one. “The focus on the activities of teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer signals a group with a robust community life. This diverse group has emerged untied.” (Ryan, “Acts,” 229)
“The believers in Acts are constantly ‘together,’ meeting at the temple, in homes, or wherever there is available space.” (Tabb, “Worship in the Acts of the Apostles,” 393) Christians were always together. “Their fellowship was marked by daily meetings in the temple together and breaking bread from house to house (gathering and scattering).” (Schreiner, Acts, 144) They welcomed their brothers and sisters into their home as though they were their blood. They ate together, worshipped together, and suffered together because they knew that they would always be together. We can see “their unity, love, and commitment to fellowship by regularly eating together and sharing their resources.” (Tabb, “Worship in the Acts of the Apostles,” 393) Christians need to spend time together often. If we have a problem being together now, then it’s difficult to imagine what eternity will be like. We should want to spend as much time together now in anticipation of heaven. In fellowship and worship, we experience something that barely scratches the surface of what heaven is going to be like because we are with the souls that will be with us for eternity. We are kind of stuck together, so we might as well get used to one another. If we have problems with others, we may need to reevaluate them and see how insignificant they are in comparison to the glories of heaven.
GIVING
One of the ways their fellowship was expressed was through their giving. “In the context of Luke’s summary, the term ‘fellowship’ describes the harmonious unity of the believers and the willingness to sell possessions and give the proceeds to needy fellow believers.” (Schnabel 179) Their fellowship was not just some superficial kinship, but was a selfless, caring, and compassionate relationship that was expressed through giving to those who were in need. “This sharing was clearly a practical expression of the new relationship experienced together through a common faith in Christ.” (Peterson, 160) Notably, “not only were they devoted to meeting together, but they were devoted to sharing their goods with one another, and especially those who had need.” (Schreiner, Acts, 143) Just like with our family, we not only show up at the house and hang out, but we also help out when we are needed. Likewise, if we are the family of God, we not only show up to worship and fellowship, but we also aid our brothers and sisters in need.
“The fellowship of the Jerusalem believers was anything but shallow. They were willing to use their material possessions for the needs of their fellow believers” (Schnabel 181) This is the kind of people that Christians are supposed to be. They are meant to be a family, as Mason said this morning. They are the kind of people who would take the clothes off of their back to give to those without any, they would give the food on their plate to those who do not have food themselves, they would give anything to care for their fellow human being and, most especially, their brother and sister in Christ. The fellowship that is enjoyed by the family of God is so special and truly beautiful.
Christians ought to have the spirit of the good Samaritan as Jesus taught in Luke 10:25-37 as they care for their neighbors who are in need. “Everything Luke says about this indicates that he sees such provision as a very positive act, an act of genuine care.” (Bock, Acts, 152) This is a good thing the church was doing. They are a newly formed community that truly cares for those around them with a newly found purpose for giving. “Community members are moved to sell what they own, both possessions and goods, and give the proceeds to those in need.” (Bock, Acts, 153) They gave essential resources to aid those in need, but they also sacrificially gave their land (Acts 5:1, 3, 8). These brethren were not swindled, coerced, or even commanded to do this, but they were compelled to help those who needed their assistance. As Peterson notes, “It is important to note that this sharing of possessions was voluntary and occasional. Their needs were related to the physical and social environment in which they found themselves. Their progressive isolation from unbelieving Israel must have made the economic situation of many quite precarious.” (Acts 163) Now, this does not entail that they viewed their physical possessions very lightly or loosely, but it illustrates their generosity and kindness. In light of their unity, they viewed their stuff as something that the community possessed and not merely the individual. That is, they “had all things in common,” which means that what is mine is yours and yours is mine. Bruce says:
“The members of the new community, living together thus with a deep sense of their unity in the Messiah, gave up the idea of private property and ‘had all things common.’ Those who had landed property, as well as those whose belongings were of a more portable character, began to sell their assets and divide the proceeds among the community, according to individual need.” (Acts, 80-81)
THE BREAKING OF BREAD
The central expression of fellowship that Christians enjoy is found in sweet communion with our Lord as we break bread. Now, there is some disagreement about what kind of meal Luke is describing here. On the one hand, Luke could be talking about a sort of fellowship meal where people are eating and breaking bread as Luke describes it elsewhere (e.g., Lk. 9:16; 22:19; 24:30, 35; Acts 27:35). On the other hand, it is possible, and I believe, more likely it is a description of the Lord’s Supper. “On the surface means eating together. However, in a formal list like this, it means more and points to the Eucharist.” (Schreiner, Acts, 142) While “breaking of bread” may refer to regular meals of fellowship among early Christians in Acts, the clearest allusion seems to be Acts 20:7. Additionally, this title functioned as the earliest description of the Eucharist or Lord’s Supper. Alternatively, Luke could be referring to the Lord’s Supper in verse 42 and regular meal in verse 46. Regardless of which option one may choose, it is an obvious allusion to their fellowship and unity since “to ‘break bread’ was to eat together.” (Peterson 160) The point is that they were together eating the meal and not divided. “Table fellowship denoted intimacy and trust.” (Keener 325) Just as a family gathers around the dining table to eat and fellowship, the family of God assembles to eat the body and drink the blood of Christ in fellowship when they partake of communion. “These communal meals are occasions for joy and express their unity and common devotion to their risen Lord.” (Tabb, “Worship in the Acts of the Apostles,” 393) When the people of God celebrate the sacrifice of Christ each Lord’s day, their relationship grows closer to Christ and one another. “It is over these meals that true community building and cultural formation can take place.” (Ryan, “Acts,” 230)
When the people of God partake with one another, the Lord’s Supper is more meaningful as it acts as a memorial and fulfillment of Christ’s sacrifice. We gather to remember our Lord’s death, but we also commemorate the fulfillment of His mission as the recipients of salvation and unity through Jesus Christ. Waters aptly stated, “The Lord’s Supper is a covenant sign, a visible representation of the cross of Christ for the remembrance and profit of the church. The Supper has meaning and significance in light of the apostles’ teaching in the New Testament. Just as the early church devoted itself to the apostolic Word of God, so also it devoted itself to the accompanying new covenant sign of the Lord’s Supper.” (The Lord’s Supper, 97-98)
PRAYER
The early Church constantly dedicated time to prayer. Prayer was pivotal to the faith of the first-century church (Acts 1:14, 24; 4:31; 6:4; 8:15; 9:11, 40; 10:2, 9, 30; 11:5; 12:5, 12; 14:23; 16:16, 25; 20:36; 21:5; 27:29; 28:8). If there were ever a time in history where prayer was most important, it would certainly be the first century. Imagine the turmoil that our brethren went through to stay united. Imagine the persecution that our brethren had to suffer through to stay hopeful. Imagine the temptations that our brethren had to wrestle with to stay faithful. Our brethren needed God more than ever, and God faithfully preserved, provided, and populated the early church. The church flourished and grew because God empowered His people in spite of all exterior circumstances. “A community at prayer is something Luke emphasizes about community life. It seeks God’s direction and is dependent upon God because God’s family of people do not work by feelings or intuition but by actively submitting themselves to the Lord’s direction.” (Bock, Acts, 151) “Luke points out repeatedly that the prayer of the church was a significant factor in the life and ministry of the earliest Christians.” (Schnabel, Acts,180):
• 1. The disciples waited in Jerusalem for the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise of the Spirit while praying (1:14).
• 2. They prayed during the election of a twelfth apostle (1:24–25).
• 3. The healing of a lame man at one of the temple gates happened in connection with the prayer routine of the church leaders (3:1).
• 4. The reaction of the Jerusalem church to external pressure and to God’s intervention was to prayer (4:23–31).
• 5. Prayer belonged to the fundamental priorities of the leadership of the church (6:4).
• 6. The mission in Samaria was accompanied by prayer for the Holy Spirit (8:15).
• 7. The conversion of Saul was linked with prayer (9:11).
In the early church, “prayer was a part of all religious activities, both public and private.” (Ferguson, “Prayer,” 938) Most notably, prayer was a normal part of the early church’s worship on the first day of the week (Tertullian, Apol. 39). According to Tabb, “Acts presents constant prayer and praise as hallmarks of biblical worship. Jesus’s followers pray to express their devotion, gratitude, and dependence on God, who consistently and powerfully acts in response to these petitions.” (“Worship in the Acts of the Apostles,” 392) If we want to be like the early church and be blessed in the same ways they were, we need to be a people of prayer. Prayer is our superpower, it is our weapon against the forces of evil, it is the instrument of our communication with God, and it is the greatest source of comfort for the righteous who recognize that God listens and answers their prayers. We would be foolish not to pray. Prayer is one of the riches forms of fellowship because we are talking to our Father as a family with one voice. It is not something we should take lightly, but something we should use regularly.
CONCLUSION:
“The church is to be a place of spiritual growth and spiritual praise, a place that is relational enough to meet needs, engage the culture, and share Christ.” (Bock, Acts, 155) Hopefully, if this is what may be found at the Mt. Pleasant church of Christ. The church is a family that is united in their devotion to the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, and worship as they give, pray, and partake of the Lord’s Supper for the glory of Christ. It is possible there is someone here who is not a New Testament Christian but sees that Christ is the only way to be saved. You want to be added to the body of Christ like the young man this morning by repenting of your sins and being immersed into Christ. We can help you do that and will rejoice in your salvation! Or maybe you have been thinking about what the New Testament says about worship, the church, and salvation, but aren’t ready to take the next step just yet. We would love to study with you. You can talk to me, one of the elders, ministers, or members. Everyone here wants to glorify God and be with Him in heaven. If we can help you with that, then please do not hesitate to reach out. I am sure there are those who are struggling, suffering, or sincerely convicted by the word of God and may need their names brought before the throne of God, if that is you, we love you and will pray for you and embrace you. If there is anything we can do for you, come forward now as we stand and sing.
