And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, the breaking of bread and the prayers. – Acts 2:42
You may wonder what it was like in the early church, being able to devote yourself to the teachings of Peter, James, and John. How wonderful it would be to learn from those who had been personally discipled by Christ! The apostles’ teachings were not only for the first believers but also for the people of today, through their writings.
Know this: the same Holy Spirit lives within current believers. As in today’s verse, people today benefit greatly from inspired teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. You may study the Bible with the help of sermons, books, podcasts, et cetera. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Involvement in the local church helps today’s believers thrive. The Bible says, “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25). Holy Communion is a vital practice for those who are devoted to the Lord and to His people (Luke 22:19-20). And prayer accesses the same intimacy with God’s Spirit and His power for contemporary Christians as it did back then.
Devoting yourself to God leads to a devotion to the disciplines that draw you closer to Him, the way the early church did. Intercede for pastors and teachers in the United States to be inspired by the Holy Spirit and the Bible. Pray for the Church in this nation to be united in the Spirit of God.
Today’s Verse: Acts 2:42
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:8-22
8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
