"DEVOTED"

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers."

Acts 2:42

If I may ask you today,  why do you go to church? Is it because of the fellowship? Is it because of the preaching? Is it because of something else?

In my years of being a Christian, I have seen people come and go. I have witnessed people go spiritually high that they were “ready to die for Christ” one Sunday but fail to attend church the next because they were invited to a feast. I have also noticed those who only come to church when there's free food. I’m not here to judge them; I’m just sharing my observations.

But the believers in Acts 2 were different. Luke, the book's writer, tells us that Peter delivered a sermon on the Day of Pentecost, and three thousand people committed their lives to Christ that day. Most of them were pilgrims (Jewish converts who did not live in Jerusalem). They were there because of the Pentecost, which was one of the major festivals in Israel.

Because of their commitment to Jesus Christ, these new converts decided to stay in Jerusalem, where Christianity was rapidly growing. The city was not prepared for the influx of people, causing the need for Jewish Christians to accommodate their new brothers and sisters in faith. As a result, they had to sell their possessions and properties to provide for everybody's food and lodging.

In Acts 2:42, Luke records that the believers continued steadfastly in the Apostle's teaching. Since they didn't have the whole Bible yet, they had to listen closely to the Apostle's sermons and committed themselves to those doctrines.

The word "fellowship" does not only refer to being together. Instead, it means "having in common." The believers shared the common faith, listened to the same teaching, and even shared everything they owned. This collaborative relationship among the early believers was voluntary and motivated by love. The term "breaking of bread" could mean either the usual meal distributed to the people or their participation in the Lord's Supper. "Prayers," on the other hand, could be personal or corporate prayers.

This was a particular time in Church history when Christians literally were together every single day. They decided to leave their old lives behind and live in a foreign land because they have found their real spiritual family. To them, trading what they had in Christ would be foolish. They may have lost their biological families for a time, but they found the family they would spend eternity in heaven with.

Perhaps, the most critical word I'd like to emphasize is "devoted." The Greek word “proskartereō” means “to persevere and not to faint.“ The early believers set themselves apart and dedicated their lives to the Lord and the community of saints. This is one word that every Christian needs to take seriously.

If you have devoted your life to Christ, there is no turning back; you shouldn’t have any reason to move away from Him and His family. We may have different views on some matters, but if the blood of Christ connects us, we have more reason to stay than leave.

Are you devoted to Christ and His Church?

Pursue the Savior today!