Leviticus 19-20

Matthew 27:51-66

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place….They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:1, 42

In Acts 2, on the Day of Pentecost, Peter and all the disciples gathered together when the Holy Spirit came and clothed them with power. Peter preached a Spirit-filled message that cut to the heart of people and 3,000 people were added to the church on that single day. Then, we are told, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).

The three words, “They devoted themselves” is a loaded statement. The word “devoted” has multiple meanings: to be steadfastly attentive, to give unremitting care, to persevere and not to faint. When the 3,000 people came to faith in Jesus Christ, they did not sit there idly. They took ownership of their own growth and discipleship. They hungered and thirsted for more. This led to them to devote themselves to healthy spiritual disciplines. They did not ask Peter or the apostles to do this for them; although the apostles were teaching them, they owned their own growth and formation. This is one of the evidences of the Holy Spirit at work when a person has tasted and seen that the Lord is good and cannot help but hunger and thirst for more because it tastes so good.

These people were filled with a newfound joy and love of Jesus. The disciplines that they practiced consisted of four things. Firstly, “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching.” For us, the apostles’ teaching is the Bible, where we learn about the goodness of Jesus, what He has done and what He wants to do in our lives. Secondly, they devoted themselves to fellowship, gathering together to worship God through singing songs, praying and reading the Word. While God reveals Himself to us personally in our own devotions, He also reveals Himself to us in a more fulsome way corporately. Thirdly, they devoted themselves to the breaking of bread, to the Lord’s Supper, which was instituted by Jesus on the night He was betrayed when He took bread and wine and gave it to His disciples declaring it to represent His body broken and His blood poured out for them. Paul tells us, “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). Lastly, they devoted themselves to prayer, to intimacy, to wanting to be in His presence and commune with Him through personal times of prayers and corporate prayers.

As we consider how the first believers took ownership of their own growth and discipleship, how are we devoted to Jesus?

Precious Jesus, I want to live a life devoted to You. May I never grow tired of Your teaching, coming together with Your body, partaking in the Lord’s Supper and prayer. Thank You, Lord.