TEACHING NOTES Introduction Last week we began a new series focused on Acts 2:42. In this study of the early church we learn that the they were devoted disciples. They were devoted to their relationship with Jesus, but Luke tells us they were also devoted to four specific things. These four things showed their devotion to Jesus and each other. ‌ Acts 2:42 ESV 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. ‌ Devoted = Grk. proskarterountes - to stick close with, be faithful, hold fast to, continue in, persevere. This word is also used in Acts 2:46; 6:4; Rom. 12:12; Col. 4:2. In Acts, the early church is described as a family of devoted disciples. This means that they remained close with one another and gathered regularly to learn the Word of God and take care of each other. ‌ The teaching = Grk. te didache - teaching, instruction. Luke uses the definite article “the” before each of the four things to which the church was devoted. “The apostle’s teaching” refers not to just any teaching, but the specific teaching of the apostles. The church did not gather to listen to “self-help sermons” but to learn what Jesus taught the apostles about Himself and about the Old Testament. Later, the apostles wrote down their teaching which became what we call the New Testament. This is why our ministry is focused on teaching Scripture. ‌ The Fellowship = When most people think of fellowship they usually think of hanging out together at an event (usually with food). While that can be a kind of fellowship, that is not what Luke meant. Fellowship in the Bible is not about an occasional social event, but is about being devoted to others like family. In order to get the full picture, we need to review the storyline of the Bible. ‌ The Biblical Storyline: ‌- God creates the earth (Gen. 1). ‌- God starts a human family (Gen. 2). ‌- His family rebels (Gen. 3). ‌- Humanity becomes corrupt (Gen. 6). ‌- God starts over with Noah’s family (Gen. 9). ‌- Humanity becomes corrupt (Gen. 11). ‌- God starts a new family with Abraham (Gen. 12). ‌- Abraham’s descendants become Israel (Gen. 35). ‌- Israel ultimately isn’t devoted (rest of the OT). ‌- God starts a new family with Jesus (John 1:12-13; 3:3-8). ‌- God’s new family is devoted and spreads (Acts). ‌- God’s family lives eternal in a new creation (Rev. 21-22). ‌ The story of the Bible is the story of God seeking a devoted family. ‌ A Devoted Family Shares: ‌1. Resources ‌2. Responsibility ‌3. Accountability ‌ Acts 2:42 ESV 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. ‌ The Fellowship = Grk. τῇ κοινωνίᾳ (te koinonia) - sharing, relational participation. ‌ While koinonia was a common Greek word, Luke uses the definite article “the” to indicate that the church’s koinonia was unique. In Greco-Roman culture, people would only share resources with those of preferred social status or for personal gain. For example, a Roman citizen shares with a person of higher social status in order to gain more status or wealth. Christian koinonia was unique because Christians shared with each other regardless of social status and doing it for personal gain was considered selfish and sinful. ‌ The early church didn’t merely hang out together, they took care of each other and held each other accountable. The entire church practiced mutual responsibility and accountability. Luke goes on in the next few verses and later in Acts to describe “the fellowship.” ‌ Acts 2:44–45 ESV 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. ‌ All who believed = This phrase provides the context that is vital to understanding this passage correctly. Luke is describing how believers treated each other. This passage is not about how believers cared for unbelievers. This is all about the practices within the church family. ‌ Had all things in common = The Greek word translated “things in common” is koinos, which is the root of koinonia. This means that the church was communal and shared their resources with each other. Luke will use koinos again in Acts 4:32-37 to further describe this concept. ‌ Selling their possessions = The early church would sell belongings they didn’t need in order to provide for other believers who were in need. This does not mean that they sold everything they owned, but that they sold what they could live without to care for those who had nothing. ‌ Distributing to all = This does NOT mean that the church cared for all the needy in their city. The context of this passages shows that they were devoted to the group of believers. Verse 44 says that this was practiced with “all who believed.” They did not take the money of believers and distribute it to unbelievers who were not part of the church family. ‌ Acts 4:32 ESV 32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. ‌ Those who believed = Again, Luke makes it clear that he is describing the practices within the church family. ‌ One heart and soul = This refers to a deep level of unity within the church family. In the Bible, the heart (Grk. kardia) is the source of desire and emotion. The soul (Grk. psyche) refers to our inner self, the mind, or the source of life. To have one heart and soul means that the early church was united in their beliefs, practice, and mindset. ‌ No one said anything was his own = The early church viewed their personal property not as their own, but as something to be shared with other believers. This was something they did willingly, not coerced or demanded. This was not socialism, because socialism takes from one to give to others. The early church did not force anyone to share their resources. It was mutual and voluntary. ‌ They had everything in common = This is the same phrase from Acts 2:44, meaning that they shared their resources within the church. ‌ Acts 4:33 ESV 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. ‌ Great power = This refers to the miracles mentioned in Acts 2:43. The power behind the miracles and the teaching of the apostles was the Holy Spirit. Jesus had told them in Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” ‌ Giving their testimony = The Greek word for “testimony” is martyrion, which is also the word for “witness” in the New Testament. Therefore, a martyr is a person who gives testimony or witness to what they believe to be true. These apostles lived with Jesus and witnessed Him resurrected. The resurrection was the main selling point in the sermons in Acts. ‌ Great grace was upon them all = The word for “grace” is charis, which refers to a gift. The apostles were given the gifts of the Holy Spirit to teach and even to do miraculous signs to prove the authenticity of their testimony. Even those who were disciples but were not apostles were given certain gifts of the Spirit. Still today, every believer receives certain gifts of the Spirit to use for God’s glory. ‌ Acts 4:34–35 ESV 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. ‌ Not a needy person among them = Again, the “them” here refers to those within the church family. There were still needy people in their city, but not in the church. ‌ Brought the proceeds to the apostles = Here we see the first example giving within the church family. Believers would give the money to the church leaders and those leaders would manage it responsibly. Since the apostles were part of the church, this money also helped to provide for the needs of the apostles as well. Today, we give to our local church in the same way. Our giving provides for the needs of the church family and its leaders. ‌ Acts 4:36–37 ESV 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. ‌ Barnabas = While his given name was Joseph, the apostles gave him the nickname “son of encouragement.” Joseph/Barnabas was a Jew from the tribe of Levi, which was the priestly tribe of Israel. Since he was a native of Cyprus, it is likely, but not certain, that the land he sold was in Cyprus. Barnabas had family connections in Jerusalem because the mother of his cousin John Mark (Col. 4:10) had a large home in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12-16). Barnabas introduced the apostle Paul to the other apostles after his conversion and also brought Paul to Antioch. Luke describes Barnabas as “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts 11:24). He was a prominent member of the Jerusalem church and was sent to Antioch to observe the new Gentile church there (Acts 11:20-22). Barnabas remained in Antioch for a while before going to Tarsus to bring Paul and they ministered together in Antioch for a year (Acts 11:25-26). The Gentile church in Antioch trusted Barnabas and Paul to deliver donations to the Jerusalem church who had been persecuted and many believers there had become poor (Acts 11:27-30). Barnabas later accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey (Acts 13). ‌ Extrabiblical References to Barnabas: An early church writer, Clement of Alexandra (AD 150-215), believed that Barnabas was one of the 70 disciples sent out by Jesus in Luke 10. Tertullian (AD 155-220) believed Barnabas was the author of the book of Hebrews. There are two ancient documents called “The Acts of Barnabas” and “The Epistle of Barnabas” which still exist today. The Acts of Barnabas claims to be written by John Mark, who also wrote the Gospel of Mark. The Epistle of Barnabas claims to be written by Barnabas himself. However, it is unclear whether the authorship of these documents is authentic. Regardless of who wrote them, they do give us a window into the beliefs and practices of some group of early Christians. ‌ The early church lived like a big family sharing resources, responsibility, and accountability. ‌ Under intense persecution for centuries, the church succeeded because they lived as a devoted family—devoted to Christ and each other. ‌ Conclusion ‌Today we respond with repentance and dedication to Christ. While we worship and take Communion, let’s also pray that God will draw us closer to one another. Here is our prayer, “God help us to be your devoted family. Bring us closer to you and closer to each other.”