Community and Fellowship: Acts 2: The Pattern of Early Community

The earliest Christian community described in Acts 2:42-47 established a pattern that has inspired every subsequent generation: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts."

The four pillars of early Christian community were teaching, fellowship (koinonia), breaking of bread (Eucharist and shared meals), and prayer. These were not occasional activities but daily practices that shaped identity and sustained commitment. The result was a community so compelling that "the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

Practical application: Evaluate your own Christian community against the four pillars of Acts 2. Which is strongest? Which is weakest? Propose one concrete step to strengthen the weakest pillar. If teaching is weak, start a study group. If fellowship is shallow, host a regular meal. If prayer is neglected, begin a prayer meeting. The early church teaches that vibrant community is not accidental but intentional.