Devoted to The Apostles’ Teachings

By Andrew Williams – March 21, 2021

Scripture

So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to the prayers. Then fear came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude, praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved.
Acts 2:41‭-‬47 HCSB


Introduction

Many years ago I used to wonder what was it that the apostles taught. From the little that I understood I thought that what they taught was what our churches currently teach, using the same methods that we currently do. But now, I’m thinking about it again and wonder why it is that what I see in the book of Acts is different from what I see in our churches today.
Today we will look at this passage with new eyes as we seek to find out what the apostles taught and why it impacted the early church the way that it did, and ask some probing questions to try to figure out why we don’t have the same impact that they did.

What was the apostle’s teaching / What exactly did they teach?

So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to the prayers. Acts 2:41‭-‬42 HCSB

This quotation comes after the 3,000 people accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and savior on the day of Pentecost. The verse says that after this they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching. So the question is: What did the apostles teach?

In our churches today, after someone accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and savior, they are taught the doctrines of the church and then are expected to attend the various church services to be continually preached to, to take part in various auxiliary groups, to attend prayer meetings and bible studies. This is what we have been taught to do, and all these can lead us into fellowship with each other and give us well needed teaching.

I do not believe that the apostles, who were obedient to their Lord and Master Jesus Christ did only this. I believe that they did exactly what Jesus told them to do. What is this? I believe the following verse says it very clearly.

Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18‭-‬20 HCSB

The command is to go and to make disciples. The command is to teach them everything that Jesus taught them which includes both His teachings and His lifestyle.
So in the days/weeks/months/years after they accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and savior, the disciples were teaching the new converts what Jesus Christ had taught them over the three-year period that He was with them. This teaching was not only of the things that Jesus said to them, but also of the things that Jesus did with them.

Notice what the verse says: And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to the prayers. Acts 2:41‭-‬42 HCSB

They fellowshipped with one another, they ate with one another and they prayed with one another. In other words they lived a life that was consistent with what Jesus taught his disciples to do. It wasn’t primarily about going to meet with each other at the temple/church, it was about living in fellowship with one another.
So they we’re taught the words of Jesus, the lifestyle of Jesus, and how to relate to God and others in a lifestyle of fellowship.

The Acts

Then fear came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. Acts 2:43 HCSB

The apostles also performed miracles ,signs and wonders among the new disciples. They did this in the authority and power of Jesus’ name, having been empowered by the Holy Spirit. This demonstrated that they also were acting just the way that Jesus did, and soon these new disciples were also doing the same.
The new disciples were taught and commissioned by the apostles just the same way that Jesus taught and commissioned them. As disciples they were patterning their lives after their master Jesus, and soon they were going about and doing good, just like Jesus did because they were infilled and empowered by God’s Holy Spirit.

Many Christians today are not living like this. Could it be that they are not truly disciples of Christ? Are they just persons who are converted but have never been discipled to live like Jesus?

The Lifestyle

Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude, praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved. Acts 2:44‭-‬47 HCSB

The lifestyle included the following:
1.They shared everything with each other.
2.They sold what they had to help those who were in need.
3. They met in the temple.
4. They had fellowship meals from house to house.
5. They had favor with all people.
6. People were being saved every day.

Conclusion

I will now ask the following questions in an attempt to stimulate you to think deeply on your life as a disciple of Christ.

1. Whose teaching have you devoted yourself to?

2. As you look at your lifestyle as a Christian and as you look at your churches teachings / doctrines, have they lined up with what the Bible says that the apostles taught?

3. As you look forward to teaching also, how can you be like the apostles and be obedient to Jesus command that is in Matthew 28:18-20?

4. Is there anything that you need to adjust in your understanding of God’s word, your actions, your fellowship with God and man, or your stewardship to others?

As you ponder these questions, my prayer for you is that the Holy Spirit will give you the understanding and wisdom that you need to live your life just as Jesus Christ did. God bless you.