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8. Spiritual Life in the Early Church (Acts 2:42-47)
ACTS 2:42-47
42 They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer. 43 Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 All who believed were together, and had all things in common. 45 They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. 46 Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.
In earlier reports, Luke, the evangelist, had clarified how Jesus had arranged for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and how this fatherly Spirit had been poured out, like a tempest of love, joining joy, truth, and holiness together with love. From now on Luke, the physician, will show us how and why the Holy Spirit worked. The promise of the Father had been fulfilled; Christ’s power had effectually worked, triumphed, and is, in fact, still working even today. A new age of grace had entered the world. The love of God made supermen out of those who had believed in Christ, after the selfishness in them had been broken. Through their faith they were filled with the goodness of God.
How does the work of the Holy Spirit appear in practice? Luke gives us information in a brief, beautiful, and rhetorical way about both the essence and the working of the Holy Spirit. Very importantly, He leads believers into the fullness of the word of God, especially regarding the apostles’ teaching. There is no life from the divine Spirit without a continuous, deep penetration into the Gospel, through which Christ teaches His students every day. Without the apostles’ doctrine there is no foundation for our faith.
This deep penetration into the will of God, which daily draws spiritual nourishment from the word of God, does not take place in an isolated manner. Early believers in the church lived together in their fellowship of love, with each one esteeming others higher than himself. There is no Christianity without fellowship, for the Spirit of God is love.
The first Christians not only continued in their salvation and mutual fellowship of affection, but also in partaking of the Lord’s Supper. They believed that the Lord Jesus Himself dwelt in their bodies through the symbols of the bread and the wine. Thus they were revived and strengthened in pleasure and thanksgiving.
Through these basic Christian elements there rose up prayers, songs of praise, supplications, confessions of sin, and invocations. The banner over their meetings was not worldly thought or philosophical wisdom, but their direct relationship with God, their Father, and their constant communion with Him. Do you, dear brother, pray continually in the fellowship of believers?
The faith of those who were filled with the Spirit was not superficial, for they had experienced God’s holiness in its glory. They were shaken before Him. They loved the Lord with all their hearts and trusted Him. Humility, reverence, and fear of His greatness were ever present with them. The Holy Spirit creates in us both the fear of and the love of God, which become the solid foundation for our living faith.
He who is so indwelled by the one, Holy Trinity experiences a heavenly power in the communion of the saints. Our Father answers the every day prayers of His children, and blesses with salvation, protection, healing, sanctification, and guidance, all from the fullness of His mercy.
The love of the saints does not end with their purse or their wallet, for the Holy Spirit guides us to give cheerfully. As the Lord said, “it is more blessed to give than to receive”. The first Christians sold their possessions, became free from the love of mammon, and put their income into the common fund of the church. Thus they all lived as the family of God and trained themselves in willful cooperation, where Christ is the manager and head. The Holy Spirit freed them from stinginess, envy, and covetousness, and guided them in carrying out practical love.
They all waited for the coming of Christ, and were certain that they would see His glory while they were still living. They loved their Savior inasmuch as they thought of Him day and night, awaiting the kingdom of His glory. They did not discuss whether or not their faith was true, their love strong, or their hope was living. Instead, they were happy in the simplicity of their hearts. They rejoiced over the truth of the Holy Spirit, and praised God without growing tired or weary.
Having begun in grace, they did not leave off meeting in their houses. They met everyday to hear the apostles’ doctrine and to offer up common prayer in small circles. They did not despise the temple, which had been made with hands, but became a temple not made with hands, made of the Spirit.
Such a church is very pleasant and attractive. Many asked those who had been filled with this love: “How were you transformed?” “How did this happen?” They answered by testifying that Jesus, the living Christ, had given them the gift of the Holy Spirit. As a result of this testimony, the church grew, and new souls were added daily in a great spiritual revival.
In reading these words, we encounter the word “church” for the first time in the book of the Acts of the Apostles. The explanatory points we have offered represent a true description of this living body, the church. The end of the work of the Holy Spirit is not merely individual faith, but the fellowship of saints. Since our God is love, His love is only realized in the communion of brethren.
PRAYER: O heavenly Father, we praise You that Your Holy Spirit unites men. Your love helps them to forgive one another, and enables each one to esteem others greater than himself. Revive us, together with our church. Let Your Spirit overcome the problems between us, and deliver us from loving the money in our pocket. Amen.
QUESTION:
- Give an essential word describing the essence of the living church for each one of the explanatory points we have mentioned.
QUIZ - 1
Dear reader,
Now that you have read our comments on the Acts of the Apostles you are able to answer the following questions. If you answer 90% of the questions below correctly, we will send you the next part of this series, written for your edification. Please do not forget to write your full name and address clearly on the answer sheet.
- What were Luke’s purposes for writing the book of the Acts of the Apostles? What do you know about Theophilus?
- What was the content of Luke’s first book? What was the content and purpose of his second book?
- What is the promise of the Father?
- Who is the Holy Spirit? What is His design?
- According to the statement of the two angels, how will Christ come again?
- Who were these men and women that met together for continuous prayer?
- What did you learn from Judas’ death?
- What are the conditions for joining Christ’s service?
- How did the Holy Spirit manifest Himself at Pentecost?
- What did the Holy Spirit teach the apostles to speak?
- What were the main points of the first part of Peter’s sermon?
- Why did Peter have to tell the Jews that they were Jesus’ murderers?
- What did Peter want to clarify to his hearers in mentioning David’s prophecy?
- Why did Christ ascend to heaven?
- How do we receive the Holy Spirit? What are the conditions for His indwelling believers?
- Who is worthy of receiving the Holy Spirit? Why?
- Give an essential word describing the essence of the living church for each one of the explanatory points we have mentioned.
We encourage you to complete the examination of the Acts of the Apostles, for by so doing you will receive an everlasting treasure. We await your answers and are praying for you. Our address is:
Waters of Life
P.O.Box 600 513
70305 Stuttgart
Germany
Internet: www.waters-of-life.net
Internet: www.waters-of-life.org
e-mail: info@waters-of-life.net