Fellowship with Believers
The shining example of the early church
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They were devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Reverential awe came over everyone, and many wonders and miraculous signs came about by the apostles. All who believed were together and held everything in common
Acts 2:42-44 (NET)
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Anytime I think about the early church, these verses paint the main picture.
What a wonderful image of the unity of the believers as they lived life together.
It really looks like a big, supernatural family.
* intentional learning from their teachers
* sharing meals together
* praying together
* living life together and helping one another
The result of this miraculous fellowship?
Wonder, awe, miracles, signs, and growth of the Church.
I don’t think pursuing the wonders and miracles and signs is the right goal here. It looks more like the evidence of the Holy Spirit continuing to work within the early church as they spread the message of the Good News to the world.
We know that the Gospel spread though lay people first, because the very first missionary journey met with other believers in other cities and encouraged them.
That “organic” spread of the Gospel seems to still be the best method of spreading it today.
I think we all wish our own church experience was as picture-perfect as this image.
Don’t forget that the early church had disagreements and fights too.
But that didn’t stop the Spirit from using them to do great work. And it shouldn’t stop us from working with the Spirit today.
The best way I know to get in tune with the Spirit is by spending time in God’s Word and praying.
Simple.
Powerful.
Awe-inspiring.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
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