Many people today treat church as a social club—somewhere to spend an hour each week and call it at that. But Acts 2:42 describes the first church differently: “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” This is a rather simple description, but I think that it shares the core of what makes a church a church.
The apostles heard Jesus teach about God’s plan for the world and what it means to follow him, and they passed these teachings on to the church. Today, this would be a commitment to the Bible. There was also deep fellowship here. They were unified around Jesus and the gospel, they were committed to gathering together, and they shared all things so that any need among them was met (v. 45). They ate together, which even in our culture, is a sign of community, encouragement, and joy. They prayed faithfully and boldly, because they believed in the power of prayer.
This is a beautiful picture of the church. Their commitment to these things impacts those around them and opens doors for many receiving salvation each day. Miracles happen. Needs are met. Prayers are answered. I am thankful to be part of a church that lives like this. I pray that you too are committed to God’s Word and the fellowship of the church. If we belong to Jesus, the church should be a crucial part of our lives. It is the family of God, which cares for us, encourages us, and pushes us to faithfully follow Jesus. The church is the body of Jesus, working together to share the good news of salvation with the lost and needy. If you love Jesus, I pray that you love his church too!
