“They devoted themselves to…the fellowship,” – Acts 2:42
Koinonia – participation, sharing, with a close bond, in a two-sided relationship, both giving and receiving
Sharing with someone one. Sharing in something.
They were devoted to sharing this spiritual journey.
Context – people saved by grace through faith in Jesus form a community, following Jesus’ instruction
These Jesus followers formed a community. They became active learners.
“They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.” – Acts 2:42 The Message
Devoted – to continue to do something with intense effort, despite the difficulty
“to devote oneself to, to keep on, to persist in,”
Salvation is a community-creating event.
Jesus’ followers formed a new community where their relationships to each other were just as valuable as their relationships to anyone else.
Value, purpose, sense of identity, all that were collective in nature far more than individualistic.
In almost every reference to Jesus as Savior, in the New Testament, it is set to a specific plural grammar: “Christ our Savior”. Titus 3:6 John 4:42 53 times plural by Paul
1 Peter 2:9-10
“We are not saved only to enjoy a personal relationship with God. We are saved to community. We are saved to God’s group.” – Joseph H. Hellerman When the Church was a Family
The whole of Scripture has a lot to say about how we should relate to each other.
“brother” “sister” “family” terms repeated over and over regarding our relationships with each other.
1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:8 Philippians 2:27-28 2 Corinthians 2:12-13
We read about a strong commitment, emotional attachment, solidarity, unity, and loyalty toward each other.
Acts 2:42-47
1 Corinthians 12:13-20
Ephesians 4:2-6
What should we do?
- We share the spiritual journey of following Jesus together.
- We encourage and support each other.
- “We stay, embrace the pain, and grow up with one another.” – Joseph H. Hellerman When the Church was a Family
- We find the spiritual strength, practical help, grace, and love from Jesus for our new life and these new relationships.