Unstoppable! 'Devoted to Genuine Fellowship' — Acts 2:42-46

Friday, February 9, 2024

A Year with Jesus - Holy Week

Spend some time with Jesus this week preparing for Resurrection Sunday.

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All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper), and to prayer.

A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity...

— Acts 2:42-46 NLT

Key Thought

Luke used several simple phrases to implant an idea in his readers' hearts about the early disciples' fellowship (Acts 2:44; 4:32). He used those phrases to emphasize that the early disciples were not only in one place physically; they were also melded into having a heart for each other. Their devotion to genuine fellowship meant that they practiced radical togetherness as Jesus taught (Matthew 18:1-34), and they sacrificed their time and property for each other. They sold their property to take care of those among them in need. They met both publicly and in homes. They shared meals in public and in private as a sacred breaking of bread — a phrase Luke uses for the Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7 NIV, cf. Acts 20:7 NLT). This radical and genuine fellowship was threatened by sin, persecution, and ethnic transgressions. But none of those threats were allowed to derail the growth of the church family or bog down their fellowship in something less than devotion to genuine fellowship across every barrier and helping each other through all sorts of challenges. How are we at practicing that radical and authentic kind of fellowship with Jesus' people? We cannot be an unstoppable family of faith without this devotion to genuine fellowship!

Today's Prayer

Loving and righteous God, I confess what you already know: I cannot begin to fathom how Father, Son, and Spirit are ONE. The fellowship you have within yourself as God and the love you have for each dimension of yourself, as displayed by Jesus, is truly amazing. I know that Jesus prayed that we, his followers, will be one as he and you, Father, are one. Stir the longing in our hearts to be one as YOU are ONE. May the world see Jesus because of the love and fellowship we have with each other. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 18:1-34; John 17:20-23
  • Matthew 25:31-46; Hebrews 10:32-39

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 2:42-46 NLT — All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper), and to prayer.
A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity...

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.