They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)
More and more it seems that people are seeing past the mirage of superficial relationships and longing more and more for deeper community. This leaves many people searching for community, a place to belong, a place to be real. But what does a community look like? Well, the first church experienced true community through the gospel of Jesus Christ. And in Acts 2:42 we see things that are markers of a gospel community.
The first is that a community of believers are united under the gospel. Acts 2:42 says, “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching.” That means that there is a common devotion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel also meant they were committed to “the fellowship”. This means they gathered regularly. They were committed to the “the breaking of bread.” This is a reference to the Lord’s Supper. This means there was a commitment to remembering Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross as well as the anticipation of his return. And they were committed to praying together.
Now that devotion led to a community that was meeting one another’s needs. People “sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need.” If you had a need they wanted to meet it. They not only worshipped together, but they “broke bread” and ate together. Imagine a community where if one person was struggling the entire community came together to help meet that need. I think that’s a community all of us would love to be a part of. But that begins first with God. It begins with a devotion to the gospel because in the gospel there is no barrier that can keep God’s people a part. A community that is loving one another is a community that sees the gospel as the unifying power that breaks down all other distinctions that may divide people.