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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Devoted to the Apostles' teaching

Acts 2:42-47 gives an incredible picture of the church's desired model:"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
The first thing in this passage is they were devoted to the apostles' teaching.  Notice apostles is plural.It wasn't only one person led the whole group. All of them had something to contribute and they all learned from each other. Intergenerational mentorship was huge back then. They valued their elders as well as those younger than themselves. They taught each other how to live Godly lives and they depended on each other.  No one was immune from being used to edify the group. This is very different from today, where everyone expects the pastor do all of the work. When their expectations are not, they go to the next church with the fancier service. What ever happened to being " devoted"? Yesterday I mentioned it means to take a vow. In other words you were linked with these people for the long haul. 
Are you " devoted" to your church body? 


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