Four Keys to Christian Fellowship

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Acts 2: 42

Have you ever wondered how the fellowship of believers in the New Testament might differ from our churches today? Even a cursory study of the book of Acts can fill us in.

Blueprints for the modern church

The disciples and all the followers of Jesus (new and old) habitually practiced four specifics steps. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching. They were in close fellowship with one another. They consistently practiced Communion (the breaking of bread in remembrance of Jesus). They prayed unceasingly.

As we ponder these four key principles which the early church made the center of their lives we must ask ourselves a few questions. How devoted are we to biblical teaching from our pastors and teachers? Do we read and listen with discernment to those who teach so that we are confident they are faithful to instruct what is in the Bible?

Christians are not to be loners

How important do we value fellowship with other believers? Do we make it a once in a while add-on to our already hectic lives? Or do we take seriously Jesus’ command to not forsake the assembling together of the church? And to make it even more pertinent – do we even know those we go to church with intimately enough so that when someone is hurting or in trouble we can spot it?

Communion is a holy act

When we take Communion, do we hold a high reverence to God during what can sometimes become a perfunctory tradition? Or do we make sure we come to God in humility and reverence by confessing our sins before we partake?

Finally, what place (or priority) does private (and public) prayer hold in our lives? Are we faithful to pray for others when we say we will pray? Or do we forget our promise to intercede for another as soon as we part company? Jesus tells us to pray unceasingly. Just as He sits at the right hand of the Father and lives to intercede for us, so should we follow His example in praying for others.

Are we complacent?

When we review these four keys to dynamic Christian living, where might we find ourselves living complacently or lacking?

Luke writes here in Acts a few more descriptives about what the life of a true believer looked like…and what we should emulate in today’s body of Christ. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. they broke bread in their homes and ate together  with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Questions for Personal Reflection:

1. How might I become more diligent in seeking out faithful biblical teaching in between Sunday morning services? I might listen to podcasts and expository teaching in my car or at home.
2. What priority do I make fellowshipping with other believers outside of my Sunday church gathering? Do I make room during the week to see other believers and invite them to my home?
3. When I take Communion, do I rightly prepare my heart for the elements? Am I sensitive to the imperative of confessing my sins (in the heart and my actions)?
4. What does my prayer life look like? Do I devote specific portions of my day to talk to God and intercede on behalf of others’ needs?