Fellowship in the Early Church

ACTS 2:42-47

TODAY’S international lesson introduces us to the newly formed church immediately following the exciting and stimulating experiences of Pentecost. In view of what occurred on that memorable day—the miraculous manifestations of the coming of the Holy Spirit such as the ability to speak with tongues which it gave to the apostles and the eloquent and persuasive preaching by Peter resulting in the conversion of 3,000 Jews—that little band of disciples who waited in the upper room had much in which to rejoice and for which to give thanks to God.

But the real test of Christian fortitude is the ability to remain steadfast after the excitement is past and when it becomes necessary to face the common tasks of life; and, in this lesson, we have an opportunity to look in on the Early Church as they began the long and hazardous journey along the strait and narrow way. What we see is both revealing and encouraging. The first verse of the lesson tells us that “they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

Steadfastness in doctrines is mentioned first, as though to imply how very essential it is for consecrated believers both to know the doctrines and to be firmly established in them. The fellowship of the Early Church was based upon the pure doctrines of the apostles. This was as it should be. It is a mistaken notion to suppose that Christian fellowship is based upon emotion and friendship, and that what one believes has little bearing upon it. There may be a certain friendship among those who disagree on the teachings of the Scriptures, but there cannot be full Christian fellowship. The Early Church enjoyed a blessed fellowship because they continued steadfastly in the doctrines of the apostles.

Their fellowship included the breaking of bread and communion in prayer. This breaking of bread should not be confused with the Lord’s Supper. The account reveals that these early disciples sold their possessions and turned all the receipts into a common treasury, and from this treasury the needs of all were supplied. Naturally, however, they did not all live in the same house, and verse 46 indicates that they visited one another and frequently ate at one another’s homes. Under the circumstances they would feel free to do this, inasmuch as in every case the food was provided out of the common treasury. Thus as they ate together, from house to house, they became the more closely knit together in the bonds of Christian love. So it was that the breaking of bread became a symbol of their fellowship in the doctrines of the apostles.

ACTS 4:31-35

Brethren in the Early Church did more than fellowship and pray, important as are these privileges of the Christian. They were also faithful in bearing witness to the truth, using every opportunity of this nature that presented itself. Of necessity this brought persecution upon them, but they did not refrain from preaching the Gospel on this account. Chapter three outlines a wonderful experience enjoyed by Peter and his associates along this line, and the beginning of chapter four tells us how it resulted in persecution. But those early believers were not discouraged. They were, in fact, more determined than ever to show forth the praises of their God.

Verse 31 tells us that they prayed, and that the place where they were assembled was shaken. In this again we have an example of the miraculous manner in which God manifested his blessings during those beginning days of the church’s experience. The disciples needed this assurance at that time. After all, they were just a little band of unpopular men and women, with a message that was hated by the religious rulers, hence they needed to have the assurance that they were overshadowed by the mighty power of God, and therefore did not need to hesitate to declare the glad tidings.

Yes, they prayed. In the same verse we are also told that they “spake the word of God with boldness.” When the fact that God heard their prayers was evidenced by the shaking of the building in which they were assembled, it gave them the needed courage to speak the Word with boldness. But even so, there was no guarantee that they would not get into serious trouble as a result of letting their light shine. Many of them did pay with their lives for the honor which was theirs of being “ambassadors for Christ.” (II Cor. 5:20) In view of what it has cost some in the church to bear witness to the truth, it is well to search our own hearts with the view of determining whether or not we would be willing to pay such a price. It is comparatively easy now to serve the Lord to what it was in former periods of the church.

In this passage also we are told that those early disciples were of “one heart and one soul.” This unity of the spirit was supplemented by the fact that they shared their temporal blessings on a common ground. Here was an experiment in true communism. The Scriptures do not indicate how long it lasted, or just why it was given up. In the beginning, however, it apparently was a blessed experience, which seemed to work for the general good of the cause.

QUESTIONS

What was the basis of fellowship in the Early Church?

What was the breaking of bread practiced in the Early Church?

What has always been one of the results of faithfulness in bearing witness to the truth?

How well did Communism work in the Early Church?

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