August 18 | Acts 2:42-47

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DAILY READING

Acts 2:42-47

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REFLECTION

Four Ways to Spiritual Formation

By Dave Mann

The early church is often considered the best model for the church in our day.  However, I am not sure that the early believers would be comfortable being held in such high and unmitigated honor.  They had their personal failings as well.  Keep reading the book of Acts to learn about the challenges that they faced in their relationships and ministry.  Nevertheless, at least in the early days of the formation of the church, they seemed to be on the right track.

In verse 42, we read of four things the early believers did as a group.  As for the other parts of their experience, such as what God did (providing signs and wonders) and what the rest of society did (holding the church in high esteem), we will let the Lord manage those.  If the Lord chooses to send them our way, I am all for it!  😊

What did the church do?  Look at verse 42, to identify the four actions that are in the control of individual believers, both then and now.

1. They were “devoted to the apostles’ teaching.” 

   We no longer have the twelve apostles living among us, but we do have their teaching.  Where?  In the New Testament.  We also have the Apostles’ Creed.  Though we do not believe that the historic apostles themselves wrote it, the early church gave this creed the title The Apostles’ Creed because they were convinced that it represented a short summary of their teaching. 

   
   

2. They were devoted “to fellowship.”

   This means that they enjoyed being together, listening to each other, caring for each other.  This action certainly means coming together weekly for worship and preaching, but it also includes conversation and a heartfelt attitude of seeking to know fellow believers well enough to share concerns with each other.

   
   

3. They shared in “the breaking of bread.”

   This means not simply the sharing of regular meals together, but also the celebration of Holy Communion as a community.  In this sacrament, we have a real and valuable connection with the Lord Jesus and with each other.

   
   

4. They were also devoted to “prayer.”

   Gathering as a community who study the Word, who have fellowship together, and who celebrate the Lord’s Supper, leads us to know a portion of the community well enough to be vulnerable together in prayer for our personal needs.  This happens most usually in the formation of small groups.

Let’s imitate the early church and true believers of all eras.  When we grow in these four activities, we will experience a deep and noticeable spiritual formation.

PRAYER

Thank you, Lord, for this four-fold description of the community of the early church.  Would you help us to grow in all of these areas to experience your presence even more than we do now, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of six. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.