Acts 2:42-47 (NRSV)
Read Acts 2:42-47 on biblegateway.com
Verse 42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Verse 43Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. Verse 44All who believed were together and had all things in common; Verse 45they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Verse 46Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, Verse 47praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Devotion
Most preachers would be thrilled with a response anything like that Peter received. After his rousing sermon, 3,000 people were baptized in one day. The spirit had ignited a fire and Peter’s words cut straight through to the minds and hearts of his listeners.
Now what were the new believers to do? We are told that they gathered in community. They shared all things in common. Those who had much sold their property to provide resources for those who were needy. They ate and worshiped together and new converts kept coming.
What can we who wish to follow Jesus learn from those first Christians? We can affirm the importance of community, the sharing of nourishment for body mind and spirit. In our highly individualistic western cultures we may not like the complete sharing shown in this text. Nevertheless, it is a reminder that we are called to find ways in our own day for sharing the gifts God has given us with those less fortunate.
Prayer
Gracious God, all that we have comes from you. It is not ours to keep, but to share. Give us a portion of the fire that burned among those first Christians. Amen.