Acts 2:42-47
42 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.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 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— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
They devoted themselves to 4 things:
Learning more about Jesus the apostles teaching
Fellowship
Sharing in meals (& communion)
Prayer
The word fellowship is derived from the Greek word koinonia (coin-o-nea). Koinonia can be defined as “holding something in common” and is specifically used 20 times in the New Testament (e.g. Phil. 2:1-2, Acts 2:42, 1 John 1:6-7).
Koinonia describes the unity of the Spirit that comes from Christians’ shared beliefs, convictions, and behaviors. When those shared values are in place, genuine koinonia (biblical fellowship) occurs. This fellowship produces our mutual cooperation in God’s worship, God’s work, and God’s will being done in the world. Because of the importance of Christian fellowship, it is essential to distinguish biblical guidelines to govern our interactions with other professing believers. This is especially true in a world such as ours, where there exists tremendous diversity in the beliefs and behaviors among those who call themselves Christians.
Fellowship should be joyful and generous.
Prayer is mentioned in one form or another 10 times in Matthew, 12 times in Mark, and 5 times in John. Luke mentions it 19 times in his gospel and—32 times in Acts!!
What happened after the church prayed?
1. Pentecost (1:14)
2. Earthquakes, followed by Evangelism (4:31; 16:25)
3. Resuscitation of a girl, Tabitha (9:40)
4. Miraculous Release from prison (12:5)
5. Healing of a chief officials’ father, and then many more (28:8)
What did the church pray for?
1. Its leaders (1:24; 6:6; 14:23*)
2. The manifestation of the Holy Spirit (8:15)
3. Sinners to Repent (8:24; 26:29)
4. Missions (13:3*)
5. Physical safety! (27:29)
6. Healing (9:40; 28:8)
When did the church pray?
1. In times of Crisis (7:59; 12:5, 12; 16:25)
2. When making decisions or establishing leaders (1:24; 6:6; 14:23)
3. When repenting (8:22; 9:11*)
4. When saying "Goodbye" (20:36; 21:5)
The church prayed habitually:
1. The whole church (2:42)
2. The Apostles (1:14; 6:4) & Leadership (13:3*)
3. Peter (3:1; 10:9; 11:5)
4. Paul (22:17)
5. Cornelius (10:2, 4, 30–31)
6. Jewish Women (16:13, 16)
7. Actual prayers (1:24–25; 4:24–31)
* Accompanied by fasting