Saturday, May 29, 2010
Acts 2:42-46 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.
DEVOTED TO THE BREAKING OF BREAD AND PRAYER
The early church was devoted to the "breaking of bread." Because this is listed here in Acts 2:42 alongside other spiritual activities such as listening to the word, fellowship, and prayer, it seems clear that it is a reference to the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, or at least to the meal that was traditionally connected with the Holy Supper in those days.
As the believers gathered around the gospel word, they also gathered around the visible expressions of the gospel, Baptism and the Lord's Supper. These are still features of our church gatherings today. We celebrate the Supper often because through it we receive forgiveness of sins, peace and joy of heart. We leave the baptismal font out in the open near the front of our churches to remind us of our own baptisms each time we enter the buildings. These special ceremonies instituted by Christ are precious to us for through them He nourishes our souls.
When one gathers around the word, hears it, and receives the sacraments, he is led to respond to God in heaven. Thus after the day of Pentecost those Christians at Jerusalem also returned words of thanksgiving, utterances of praise, and requests of all sorts to the throne of glory. So do we.
Notice how the Spirit who came to the hearts of the 3,000 on Pentecost also led those same to continue in various activities which focused on the good news of salvation in Jesus. Therefore come to us, O Holy Spirit. Gather us together around the cross and empty tomb; around the word of the forgiveness of sins and eternal life; around the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper. Lead us to glorify our Savior in thought, word, and action. Amen.
