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And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:42, KJV).
In life, we know that persistence pays. In every endeavor of life, steadfastness, commitment, perseverance is required. The Christian life is no exception. The early church continued steadfastly.
On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached to 3,000 people who were saved and baptized in water. The Church began to grow and the scriptures tell us that the believers “continued steadfastly” in the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer.
When they faced persecution, they continued steadfastly.
When they faced affliction, they continued steadfastly.
When it didn’t seem like their prayers were getting answered, they continued steadfastly. And if you and I are going to be successful in the Christian life, we are going to do the same. There are difficulties, obstacles, contradictions and problems in life. When we get to heaven, all that will be done away with. But while we are here, there is a devil to resist and people that will oppose us. There is a fight of faith to fight. The Christian life is not for quitters, so put on your battle garments and get ready. God will equip you and enable you to face every battle victoriously.
The Apostles’ Doctrine
The scripture says that they continued steadfastly in “the apostles’ doctrine.”
First of all, the apostles doctrine IS the New Testament. The entire New Testament was written by the early apostles or by people that were closely associated with them. So, praise God, we have the “apostles doctrine” (or teaching) available to us in written form.
Many times people get hungry for the things of God and they begin to read the Bible, starting with the book of Genesis. Well, the entire Bible is the inspired Word of God and it’s all beneficial. But as a new believer, you should do most of your reading in the New Testament, beginning with Matthew.
The New Testament records the life of Jesus in the first four books, or the Gospels. It then relates the history of the early church in the book of Acts. The remainder of the New Testament is letters that were circulated in the early church that provided instruction in how to live the Christian life. It ends with the book of revelation, which gives prophetic insight to the fulfillment of all things and the coming of Jesus to the earth again. These beautiful books of the Bible will help you to lay a foundation for your faith that will be with you all the days of your life. Read the New Testament.
We cannot overstate the importance of the Word of God in the life of the believer. When you receive Christ into your life, God does a miracle in your life called the New Birth. In this miracle, you are translated, transformed, and miraculously changed spiritually.
Your spirit (or your inner man as the Bible calls him) is changed. Your mind, which has for years been programed to society’s way of thinking, remains the same. However, through Bible study, meditation and sitting under the teaching of the Word by anointed ministers, your mind can be renewed. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1,2, KJV).
By renewing our minds, we can be progressively transformed to be like Jesus and to demonstrate God’s will in the earth. Just as a baby must learn to walk and do other things, so we must learn progressively to walk in the things of God. Old habits, negative thoughts, speech and actions, must be progressively changed as we come under the influence of God’s Holy Word. He says, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” (1Peter 2:2-3, KJV).
To truly continue in the Word of God, we must be willing to obey the principles of the Word of God, putting them into practice in our lives. This is God’s call to become a disciple of Christ. “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32, KJV).
Another aspect of receiving the “apostles doctrine” is receiving ministry from anointed messengers of the Gospel that are operating in the church today. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11-12, KJV).
If we are to grow strong and mature, we will need ministry from these ministry gifts. Primarily, everyone needs a pastor, and, of course, the other ministry gifts also contribute greatly to the strengthening and building up of Christ’s body, the church.
This is why it is so vitally important that you get involved in a good, strong local church where the uncompromised Word of God is preached and taught. This is God’s environment for learning and without it God’s people become weak, sickly and disoriented.
Find a church that first of all preaches the born again message, that we are saved by grace through faith, not by church membership, baptism or ritual. Find a church that believes in the baptism of the Holy Spirit and miracles, where Jesus is presented as Savior, Healer, Baptizer in the Holy Ghost and the coming King. Find a place where Jesus is exalted as Lord and people are encouraged to live a holy life of obedience to God.
Fellowship
God has not called any of us to be lone ranger Christians. We need fellowship with other believers in order to grow and to remain strong in the Lord. Fellowship (sharing) with other believers serves to strengthen our values and commitment to the Lord and enables us to experience the Lord’s presence in a special way.
God in His wisdom has made us dependent upon one another and He moves in a special way in services involving groups of believers. Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20, KJV).
As you experience fellowship with the Lord’s church, you will soon find that everyone in the church is in a process of development, just like you. You will find problems, troubles and difficulties in your relationships, but persevere, because God has chosen this method to bring growth and development in your life. Not every member of Christ’s body will always build you up. In fact, some will let you down, but learn to walk in forgiveness and pray for others and you will grow in your love walk with the Lord.
Many people have left the church and strayed from the Lord because they have been offended in a church situation. I know of one man that ended up with seven addictions after having been saved because he allowed an offense to dominate his life. Guard your heart from such offenses and try to realize that everyone, just like you, is imperfect until the Lord comes back and we are totally changed. Remember, Jesus is the only perfect one. He died for you. Your relationship with the body is because of Him.
Breaking of Bread
I once read an article by a man that stated that he felt a great deal of the problems in the church today were a result of either neglect or an improper approach to the Lord’s Supper. Jesus said that we are to “do this in remembrance of me.”
The communion table is God’s ordained method or helping us to remember both the benefits and responsibilities associated with the cross of Jesus Christ. The bread represents his body that was broken for us. The fruit of the vine represents His blood. When we partake of the Lord’s supper with an attitude of repentance, humility and thankfulness, it causes a cleansing and empowerment to take place in our lives. It renews us spiritually.
It is also a time of reflection concerning our relationship with Christ’s body, the church. It is a time to let the Lord set our heart right from the disagreements and disunity that might be in our heart towards other believers. It is a time of both releasing and receiving forgiveness and recognizing our unity with all members of the body of Christ.
Prayers
“The continued steadfastly in. . .prayers.”
The Bible tells us that in the garden of Eden after Adam sinned, he hid himself from God. He was afraid, because of his sin.
When God sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross, his purpose was to restore us to fellowship with himself. We were separated by sin, but by the precious blood of Jesus, our sins are forgiven and we now have access to God. In fact, the scripture states, “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.” (1Corinthians 6:17, KJV).
So, we have been joined (brought into close contact) with the Lord. He also states, “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,” (Hebrews 10:19, KJV). The holiest is the place where God dwells. So, by the work of the cross, we can enter into the closest kind of fellowship with the Lord.
Now, if we have been given this great privilege of fellowshipping, spending time with, and talking with the Lord, it really doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to live your Christian life without enjoying intimacy with the Lord. We were created for intimacy, united with Him for intimacy.
Prayer is simply talking to God. It is not necessarily religious. It is not a certain acceptable phraseology that touches the heart of God. It is simply a believer that is willing to live close to the Lord and visit with Him frequently.
It is through prayer that we receive that spiritual interchange and infusion of life from God. We can receive wisdom and strength and courage to live the Christian life. So pray early and pray often. Learn to maintain a spirit or attitude of prayer in your life. I have found it easiest to do this when I spend time with him early in the day. Then throughout the day, whether working or driving or whatever, you can fellowship and live close to the Lord. This constant communion with the Lord will help you to overcome temptation and resist the devil’s evil influence upon your life.
Keep on Continuing
So continue steadfastly in the apostles doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer, and you will find tremendous things happening in your life. Notice the results of their faithfulness in Acts 2:
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 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, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:43-47, KJV).
Signs and wonders, unity, joy, favour and people getting saved all around us. Like the early church we can see a strong work of the Spirit in our lives and in our churches as we repent, are baptized, filled with the Holy Ghost, continue in the apostles doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer. Do it and be blessed, in Jesus name!
Pray this prayer out loud and from your heart.
Dear God. Thank you for Jesus Christ. I believe that He died for my sins on the cross and through Him I have the forgiveness of sins. I turn from sin and unto you today, expecting You to change my life. I believe in My heart that you raised Jesus from the dead and I confess Him as Lord of my life today. I determine today, Lord, to continue on with you, in repentance, in baptism, in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, in the teaching of the Word, in fellowship, in communion and prayer. Thank you for making me a strong Christian, in Jesus name.
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