The Book of Acts ~ Study Eleven

"Devotion"


Acts 2:42-47 (NLT) All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.


Many people met Jesus that day of "Shavuot" (Pentecost) on the Temple Mount. This was the beginning of the Church that many of us take for granted here in the United States and in many other free nations. The nation of Israel was not a free nation. It was under the control of Rome. The Jews did have freedom to worship God, but now this new belief in Messiah Jesus would be a challenge to their faith and their very being.


In the infant stages of the Church, the members met together everyday and devoted themselves to four things:
     1. The Apostles' teaching.
     2. Fellowship.
     3. Sharing meals.
     4. Prayer.


What is the significance of these four things? Describe what you think was their reasons for devotion. Do you see this kind of devotion in the Church today? Why or why not?


The Greek word used here for "devotion" is "proskartereo" and means "to remain steadfast; to stay close." The believers in the early church wanted to be close to one another. They desired to learn from the Apostles. Fellowship and sharing meals helped create a close bond adding to their united front. Prayer strengthened the deal as each person sought to know what Christ wanted for them by remaining in constant communication with Him.


Is the Church like this today? Are we as devoted as they were? What could we learn from this early church?


Today's church has some reflections of the early church. Of course it has grown and reached many millions of people over the centuries and that is to the praise of our God. However, I wonder, are we are as devoted to one another as we should be? What does the Bible teach us about how we should conduct ourselves and live as a unified church?


Psalm 133:1-3 (NLT) How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.


When we live in unity as brothers and sisters who love Jesus, we are blessed. So often we run out of church to avoid others because our lives have become too "busy." (I'm totally guilty of that). We are angry at the way someone has acted toward us and don't seek to smooth the waters with this person. We don't give to the church because we may need that money for something else instead of giving our first 10% back to God. We don't do "potlucks" anymore because that is the way the old school church did it and its not "cool" anymore. What's happened to us? Where is the Church as a whole going? What does Jesus think about it?

Romans 15: 5-6 (NLT) May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.


Complete harmony? You've got to be kidding me! How can we do that? Why should we have to? Doesn't God see how "those people" are? I'm called to do WHAT?!!!


God has called us to live in complete harmony! Complete harmony is the rich full sound of an orchestra or the soulful sounds of a southern hymn or spiritual. It sooths the soul and fill us with the energy required to do as Jesus says.


Revelation 1:12-18 (NLT) I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man,"dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
     When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.


Revelation 2:4-5 (NLT) “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches."


When I read these portions of Revelation I get chills. It speaks of our Christ walking among the lampstands. These "lampstands" represented the churches that were about to be described in the next few chapters of Revelation. Each church had its own personality. Some had good things that Jesus approved of and some were doing things against the very nature of Christ's commands. Jesus walks among the churches judging the light each produces. I don't want Jesus to remove any church. I want us to be unified in our love of Jesus and each other.


Churches today are still "lampstands" and Christ still walks among them. Some are huge lampstands with little light. Other lampstands are small with a brilliant roaring fire in them. Some are small and their light is almost out because someone had covered them in trying to keep out others. The descriptions can be endless. What is important is that one day Christ sees the lights they produce and will deal with each one as He sees fit ~ reward or discipline. 


Our aim, our purpose as a the Bride of Christ ~ the Church ~ is to bring honor to Him. We need to go back to our roots. We must become more and more devoted to one another. Let's bring prayer back as the foundation on which we stand. Let's meet together often, sharing a meal or a cup of coffee. Let's share! Let's give as God has asked us to! Let's do it!! Let's watch the blessings flow like "oil on Aaron's beard." 


What are we waiting for? Let's stoke the fire. Let's get it burning bright so others will see the light and know where to come for salvation, love and support. Let's do it!

Harmony in the Church brings
 delightful blessings 

from the One who walks
 among the Lampstands.