Fellowship

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. .

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.  All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Context

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 

Therefore, the Christian needs another Christian who speaks God’s Word to him. He needs him again and again when he becomes uncertain and discouraged, for by himself he cannot help himself without belying the truth. “The Christ in his own heart is weaker than the Christ in the word of his brother; his own heart is uncertain, his brother’s is sure. –Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“According to the bible the entire Christian life, including spiritual growth, battling sin and Satan, and serving God, are intended to be done in community. The passages in Ephesians, for example, that describe these things are all in the plural, suggesting that we do them along with others.” Fernando

The Fellowship Hospitality and Generosity With Glad and Sincere Hearts Mediated by the Lord

Hospitality and Generosity “All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods they gave to anyone as he had need.” (v. 44-45)

“Mother Teresa used to say, “We can do no great things, just small things with great love. It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into doing it.” I heard many a volunteer scolded for not putting enough gravy on the rice, since the plate was being served to Jesus himself. Shane Claiborne

With Glad and Sincere Hearts The Acts community devoted themselves to eating together in their homes with glad and sincere hearts (v. 46)

Mediated By the Lord “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (v. 47)

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach… (Acts 1:1)

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. …

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4: 3-7, 11-13)