Read Acts 2:42-47
These verses in Acts tell us about a short time in the very early church when amazing things were happening.
In verse 43, it says that “everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles” (Acts 2:43).
Were the wonders and signs the most important thing about this time? No – the first verse today talks about ordinary things. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). These are ordinary ‘church’ things – the things that people of faith do.
In verse 47, we learn that these early church members “enjoy[ed] the favour of all the people” (Acts 2:47). People outside the community respected them. Was it because of the signs and wonders? Signs and wonders can impress, but they don’t really bring respect. Was it because of their religious practices? Not directly.
We know that these people were religious people before. They were in the Holy City, Jerusalem. They were Jews of Jerusalem, used to being part of the special religious life of that city. In particular, they could visit the Temple, which Jews believed contained the presence of God in a special way.
They continued to meet in the Temple courts (v 46). They continued to be seen in the public worship places. But they had done that before.
They also met in each others’ homes. They had fellowship and ate together. Is that what impressed the outsiders? Not likely. All humans like to do that. We will all be happy when COVID-19 subsides and we can have fellowship and eat together.
They “broke bread in their homes”. Was that just about eating together? No. Jesus broke bread at the Last Supper, and asked to be remembered with that action. Jesus broke bread after the walk to Emmaus, and the disciples recognised the risen Lord. We know what “broke bread” really means.
As Christians, we understand. But is that what caused all the people to favour them? No, this happened in their homes. They wouldn’t see that.
These people were religious before, and they remain religious now. But one thing has changed. “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need” (Acts 2:44-45).
This is impressive. This is a clear shift in values. We can expect that this is a key thing that caused all the people to hold them in favour.
What caused them to sell and to give so radically? They were religious before, and they were religious now.
The difference is the power of the Holy Spirit. This is Acts Chapter 2, the chapter which tells of the coming of the Holy Spirit on the gathered people at the festival of Pentecost. Peter’s sermon at that time told them what was going on with the signs and wonders then. The Holy Spirit brought people together in a new way under Jesus Christ.
The power of the Holy Spirit drove those selfless practices of the early church in Acts 2.They could share, care and praise God as never before.The Holy Spirit of Jesus brought thousands to the church, through what people saw in the lives of the disciples.
Do our life practices mark us as a special people? On our own, our efforts will fail, but one prayer has special power: “Come, Holy Spirit, Come!”
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