This Pastor’s Notes entry was written by Ronald Kunselman, who is serving as a pastoral intern at EBC through this summer.
…
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:42-47).
The first two chapters of Acts are striking to say the least. The Bible recounts the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the church, which implemented the transition from nationalism to universalism. Many strange and astonishing things were afoot in these times. Signs, wonders, miracles, tongues, prophecy, and mass conversions all point to the fact that God was advancing his plan in a very extraordinary way. Much of this seems foreign to us who live under an ordinary and regular ecclesiastical arrangement.
Nonetheless, on the very heels of this breathtaking (or should I say, breath-giving) day of Pentecost, we see the church gathering to do those things which are familiar to us: teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. Yes, the church, even at its most militant is also at its most affable. Paul describes to us a genial scene where the saints are meeting with one other to share of themselves and their resources.
Of all the ink spilled regarding the officers of the church, the purpose of the church, the mission of the church, and the organization of the church, very little is ever noted about the fellowship of the church. Much of what the church does regarding fellowship seems to come quite naturally to us. It is easy to establish and maintain strong bonds with those of who you share a unity of mind and purpose. Fellowship often becomes so familiar to us that we forget its great value.
Fair or foul, churches are oft built by those who come seeking friendship before they come seeking truth. Whether it be a new family looking for a safe place for their children, an overwhelmed college student seeking a steady shoulder, or an old time Bay Stater searching for a break from his boredom; when all else fails people know that church is the place to go. A small, loving church on Chapel Street can be the best medicine for the ails of a large, lonely Boston.
Despite its value, some aspects of church fellowship seem quite difficult. We all have rough edges and rouge attitudes. Even the most charming of interns can become a burden. It often takes a concerned effort to approach that new visitor, to make small talk with the children, or to invite a new couple for dinner. But note, verse 42 indicates that the saints had to devote themselves to these things. Just because a thing is common, does not mean it is effortless.
What is more, if we deem this aspect of church fellowship difficult, we find the next part mildly distasteful. Not only did the early saints share their time, their table, and themselves, but they went a step further. They shared their trust funds. Now, lest my bourgeoisie readership should fear, the Bible does not (nor certainly do I) advocate a socialistic theology. The Bible unequivocally upholds individual, personal property rights (Exodus 20:15, Acts 5:4). But we must realize; God imputes these rights to us for a reason. So that we, like the early church can, with glad and generous hearts, rather than with compulsion and guilt, share with those in our covenant community who have genuine needs. Sinful selfishness needs to be replaced by gracious generosity so that all members of the church might be become industrious and glorify God by their work.
Indeed, an encounter with the second chapter of The Acts of the Apostles should leave us awestruck and excited. We should pray and work for those times when God brings great repentance, reformation, and revival to His church. But we would be remiss to overlook those simple and serene blessings that the church partakes of during all times of her up building - the fellowship of the saints. The Westminster Confession of Faith, as it so often does, states the matter nicely:
“All saints, that are united to Jesus Christ their Head by His Spirit and by faith, have fellowship with Him in His graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory: and, being united to one another in love, they have communion in each other’s gifts and graces, and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man” (WCF XXVI/i).
Post a Comment