We get a powerful snapshot into the life of the early church in acts 2:42-47. The text says:
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
We have taken this snapshot as not merely descriptive but as prescriptive practices for individual lives and groups growing in depth of love, obedience, and service to Jesus.
Broken down verse by verse:
42 [Contemplative] They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
43 [Expectant] Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles.
44 [Communal] All who believed were together and had all things in common;
45 [Generous] they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.
46 [Worshipful] Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.
47 [Missional] And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
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