How the church expresses itself in 2025 differs significantly from how it did in the first century.
Hebrews 10:34, You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.
However, the main ingredients of the church haven’t changed, as we see in our text:
Text: Acts 2:42-47
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 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, 47 praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
What an incredible beginning to Jesus’ mission. He proclaimed, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18), and this marked its inception.
In Acts 2:42-47, we discover the main ingredients of a thriving church, and the first thing I want you to notice is that They devoted themselves:
Devotion (Gk): “To continue to do something with an intense effort despite difficulty and to stay in a fixed direction.” (Tenacity, endurance or steadfastness). That’s a great definition of a devoted life.
The first-century church began with believers leading lives devoted in various ways. They dedicated themselves to:
Main Ingredient 1: The Apostles’ Teaching
What the apostles learned from Jesus, they passed on to others.
Jesus - Apostles - Church - Two Millennia later
2 Timothy 2:2, The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
Main Ingredient 2: The Fellowship
Greek: Koinonia is a noun, NOT a verb (THE fellowship)
(It was the Identity of a community of people).
However, as members of this community, they were active rather than passive. They dedicated themselves to the community of believers. They were persistent, remained steadfast in the fellowship, and were committed to demonstrating Christian friendship. We see this reflected in a couple of verses:
(44) All the believers were together and had everything in common.
(46) Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.
I encourage you to be devoted to the fellowship.
Main Ingredient 3: Eating Together
Acts 2:46, 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.
Acts 5:42, Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
They broke bread in their homes and shared a meal that included communion. They devoted themselves to eating together, tangibly expressing Christian friendship and remembering that Jesus was at the centre of their lives. I encourage you to do the same. Join a Connect Group today!
Main Ingredient 4: Generosity
Acts 2:44-45, All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
As we’ll read in Acts 5 this week, the first Christians were generous to their church community and those in need.
Throughout the Gospels, Acts, and the Epistles, we discover persistent encouragement for regular, sacrificial giving. Jesus embraced tithing in Matthew 23:23, and the New Testament authors routinely encouraged their readers to express generosity.
Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Luke 16:13)
Main Ingredient 5: Kindness
Luke ends this chapter with inspiring words: These first Christians were praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
The church flourished naturally when the main ingredients were present, becoming healthy and strong. This is true of any church.
I want to conclude by focusing on the phrase: “enjoying the favour of all the people.”
Favour (Gk. charis = grace)—as in the grace of God. Charis represents God’s kindness, which saves us. It embodies His profound and unconditional love for humanity. But it’s more than that.
In the first century, “charis” was generally understood as a favour or gift given without expecting anything in return. Followers of Jesus were recognised for their kindness, and people outside the church community often reciprocated. I believe the 21st-century church needs to acknowledge this. At times, we’re known for anything but our kindness. We’re frequently seen as judgmental, exclusionary, and favouring some individuals over others—something the Bible strictly forbids. Bayside Church, let us be known for our kindness, just as the first church was and let us enjoy the favour of all the people. AMEN!
Discussion Questions
Read and discuss Hebrews 10:34. If Australian Christians were being persecuted, could you joyfully accept the confiscation of your property?
Share personal examples of when you have demonstrated devotion—tenacity, endurance or steadfastness. What were the results?
The first church ate together in their homes, celebrated communion and prayed. How can you incorporate these qualities into your Connect Group if you don’t already have them?
In what ways can you express kindness (grace) to others? Use personal examples.
Read and discuss Romans 12:10, 1 Corinthians 16:15-16, and Colossians 4:2.
The Scriptures reveal at least three reasons why we should be devoted to the fellowship:
a. It keeps us connected (Hebrews 10:24-25)
b. It recharges us (Acts 1:4-5).
c. It helps us fathom the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:17-19).Discuss: Most of the New Testament was written to churches or their leaders. The New Testament does not entertain the idea of a Christian being disconnected from other Christians for even a moment. (Note that “one another” is mentioned 57 times in the New Testament).