Read Your Bible

Four definite articles changed the world

The earliest description of the earliest Christian community was simple: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). “Devoted themselves” translates a Greek term that means to be “focused exclusively and passionately upon.” These four commitments were their highest priorities.

Note the definite articles: “the apostles’ teaching,” “the fellowship,” “the breaking of bread,” and “the prayers.” Each is present in the Greek original. They show us that the Christians’ unity was not found in individualistic experiences but in collective spirituality.

• “The apostles’ teaching” was the public exposition of the first Christian leaders.
• “The fellowship” refers to the larger, public community of faith.
• “The breaking of bread” refers to a public communal meal; in the context of teaching and fellowship, it points to the Lord’s Supper and worship.
• “The prayers” refers to public times of confession, thanksgiving, and intercession.

These four commitments, made in public community, empowered the first Christians to change history.

“All tribes and peoples and languages”

Such unity reflects the nature of our God and of the humans he created. Our Lord experiences eternal internal community as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (cf. 2 Corinthians 13:14). And so he said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). Not “men” but “man,” referring to humanity as one.

Such unity in community was at the heart of Jesus’ ministry as he called Jews, Gentiles, Samaritans, lepers, prostitutes, Pharisees, priests, and men and women into his movement. It was at the heart of the church’s expanding ministry as it included Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female (Galatians 3:28).

It will be at the heart of our eternal worship in heaven, where we will gather with a “great multitude” from “every nation” and “all tribes and peoples and languages” (Revelation 7:9).

A coal must touch other coals

It is therefore urgent that Christians resist the consumeristic, individualistic Christianity that reflects our consumeristic, individualistic culture. There are no solos in the book of Revelation. Jesus promised: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20). Such community empowers our witness, our service, and our souls.

With whom are you sharing unity in community? With whom are you studying Scripture in an accountable fellowship of worship and intercession?

If you take a coal from the fire, it goes out. If it touches other coals, it stays lit.

How aflame is your soul today?

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