Devotion

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42

In just one day, attendance at First Church Jerusalem jumped from 120 to over 3000. The New Members’ Class must have been highly effective because immediately the brand new Christ-followers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer”(Acts 2:42). Faith in Jesus changed their focus. Instead of life being about them, life became about Him, and they dedicated their time, energy, and resources to learning about Him, caring about those who were His, spending time with those who were His, and praying to Him.

Some would say these new believers were very involved, but that word is too weak. Involvement alludes to activities, and the prospect of a busier schedule was not what ignited such intense passion. These Christians weren’t just involved; they were devoted—devoted to Jesus and everything about Him. Since Jesus is about relationships, they lived in community. “All the believers were together”(Acts 2:44). If one had a need and others had the means, they shared willingly. “Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need”(Acts 2:45). When God’s people assembled, they showed up. “Every day they continued to meet in the temple courts”(Acts 2:46). While there, they listened and learned about their Savior from those who had heard His teachings and seen His life. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching”(Acts 2:42). When they weren’t meeting in public, they were spending time together in private. “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts”(Acts 2:46). In all this, they were fervent in prayer, calling on the One who had called them and praising Him for His goodness and grace(Acts 2:47). “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved”(Acts 2:47).

In a day where volumes endorsing and explaining the latest ideas and initiatives on church growth abound, the answer is still found in one Book. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer”(Acts 2:42). Open hearts. Open hands. Open homes. Open mouths. People in place of a program. Relationships instead of rituals. Devotion rather than involvement.

And the Lord will add to our number daily those who are being saved.