Luke the physician wrote how Peter, “with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles, and all that believed were together, and had all things common, and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need, and in chapter two and verse forty-six of the book of Acts Luke shared how the believers were, “continuing daily with one accord in the temple” where we read:
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house,
did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
The verse begins, “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, ...” Luke began with the words, “and they” which means “and the believers in Jesus Christ”, “continuing daily with one accord” or “steadfastly adhering to, devoted and persevering every day with one mind and passion” “in the temple” which means “within the sacred worship place located in Jerusalem”, “and breaking bread” or “and eating of food and the Lord's supper” “from house to house” which means “from one home to another”. Luke shared how the believers in Jesus who were part of the first church assembled together with one mind and passion in the “temple” or “sacred worship place” , and they “ate” food and had communion with one another in their homes.
The verse goes on to say, “... did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, ...” Luke continued with words, “did eat their meat with gladness” or “and the people in the first church consumed and devoured food together with extreme joy and exultation” “and singleness of heart” which means “and simplicity in their souls”. Luke shared how the believers in Jesus “ate together” with “extreme joy” and simplicity in their souls.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the people in the early or first church of believers gathered together in the “temple” located in Jerusalem as well as in their homes. In other words, they met corporately and in smaller groups. The “temple” became the place for “collective worship” of God, and many people were assembled there. The “homes” became places where intimate relationships were built with fellow believers. This is a great model for the present day church. “Home groups, small groups or whatever a church today calls them” are perfect for smaller venues to allow people to get to know one another and fellowship together. The larger venue, the public gathering, is where people collectively worship the Lord. Both are important, and those who yield themselves to Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord” are to be involved in each of these ways to gather together with fellow believers to worship Jesus.
Next time Luke shares how, “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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