The history of the Christian church began 2000 years ago in Jerusalem. Though it was conceived by Christ and formed embryonically around His disciples, the church launched in Jerusalem during the third decade of the first century A.D. with the arrival of the Holy Spirit.
The second chapter of Acts tells us this incredible story which takes place during the annual Feast of Harvest (or Feast of Weeks) in Jerusalem. According to Luke, the author of Acts, the Holy Spirit came down on the day of Pentecost with “a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind” and descended upon Jesus’ followers as “cloven tongues like as of fire.”
Once “filled with the Holy Ghost,” these believers in Christ began to “speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
And soon Peter, the lead apostle, stood up in the midst of those gathered in Jerusalem and proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was the first evangelistic message given following the resurrection and ascension of our Lord.
The response was incredible. Three thousand souls embraced Christ, were baptized, and were then added to the church. And what did they then do?
According to Luke, the answer is…
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in the breaking of bread and in prayers.” (Luke 2:42, KJV)
What does Acts 2:42 mean? Let’s take each activity in turn.
“the apostles’ doctrine”
In a previous article, we looked at the first item in that list. If you want a more comprehensive explanation, I encourage you to follow this link. But, in brief…
The term “apostle” is a variant of the classical Greek word ἀπόστολος (apóstolos), which means “one who is sent off.” And in Acts 2:42, the reference is to those men directly “sent off” by Jesus Himself. We see this in the Gospel of Mark:
“And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils.” (Mark 3:14-15, KJV)
Thus, in Acts 2:42, Luke is talking about the core disciples Jesus chose (i.e., the original Twelve Disciples) – minus Judas, plus Matthias (see Acts 1:15-26). Later, of course, Paul is added to this group by direct call of Jesus on the road to Damascus (see Acts 9:1-31).
(Note: There are some professing Christians who even today dispute Paul’s apostleship. I am not among that group. There is no reason to doubt God’s call on Paul’s life and the blessing on his ministry).
The Greek word behind “doctrine” is διδαχῇ (English transliteration: didachē). Other English translations render the word as “teaching” or “instruction.” In Acts 2:42, Luke is specifically referring to the teachings of the Lord and His apostles — authoritative exhortations and instructions that are binding on followers of Christ.
“fellowship”
We think of “fellowship” as eating together. But there’s more to fellowship than potluck or covered dish church meals. (Though, for the record, I have no objection to those meals. Indeed, I’m quite fond of them).
The Greek term is κοινωνία (English transliteration: koinōnia). It means “to have in common” or “to share.”
We see a dramatic example of this spirit in the latter part of Acts 2, when those first church members “had all things common” and “sold their possessions and goods” and “parted them to all men, as every man had need.” (see Acts 2:44-45).
The Holy Spirit may not lead Jesus’ followers today to routinely sell all their possessions and empty their bank accounts to give to all those in need. Nevertheless, we should always hold everything we have with an open hand — an open hand before the Lord. And we should be willing to part with anything we have as He leads, because sometimes, He does lead us to give things up. Some believers over the years have been called upon to give their very lives.
Sacrifice is the currency of love and the sign of true commitment.
It’s also at the heart of genuine fellowship. To love is to give. And fellowship isn’t possible without love.
“the breaking of bread”
The Greek behind this phrase is τῇ κλάσει τοῦ ἄρτου (English transliteration: tē klasei tou artou), and this is where context as well as hermeneutical precision (right down to the grammar) matters.
Typically, the phrase “breaking of bread” refers simply to having a meal together. Indeed, The Amplified Bible chooses to render it just that way. And many scholars and theologians believe this is the best way to understand “breaking of bread” in Acts 2:42.
Why? Well, the phrase “breaking of bread” was based on the dividing of the bread cakes or loaves used commonly in that part of the world during ancient times. This was a part of most prepared meals, and so the phrase came to describe eating together — as family and friends would do.
But Luke didn’t just write “breaking of bread,” he wrote “the breaking of bread.” And, in this case, I believe the “the” matters. We’re not just talking about any “breaking of bread.” We’re talking about “the breaking of bread.”
Therefore, I join with those pastors, theologians, and Bible scholars who believe Luke (in Acts 2:42) is talking specifically about Jesus’ Last Supper with the disciples, when our Lord actually used the breaking of bread as an object lesson for His upcoming sacrifice on the cross.
“And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19, KJV)
This was not the only time Jesus “broke bread” with His disciples. He had meals with them all the time. But this was the only time He intentionally and emphatically used the breaking of bread so pointedly — and He did it on Passover!
Likewise, there are many times we, as Christians, will share meals together. And, in that sense, we “break bread” with one another often. But we don’t always observe the Lord’s Supper.
“prayers”
This one is self-explanatory, but don’t let the simplicity lull you into overlooking its importance. Without prayer, we are lost at sea in a troubled world.
Paul says we are to pray without ceasing (see I Thessalonians 5:17). And we should. But the Bible doesn’t just say we should pray individually. It also says we should also pray corporately.
Here are just a few verses where corporate prayer is encouraged or exemplified:
- Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the Lord, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. And the children of Israel enquired of the Lord… (Judges 20:26-27a)
- And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord. (II Chronicles 20:3-4)
- Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord. (Joel 1:14)
- Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:19-20)
- Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. (Acts 12:5)
- **After the angel breaks Peter out of jail** And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. (Acts 12:12)
I could go on. The Bible calls us to prayer – not just individually, but corporately.
And prayer is therefore one of the four things the church should be doing regularly.
So, there we have it…. a breakdown of Acts 2:42. Now, we know what Acts 2:42 means. The question is: Will we continue steadfastly in the same things the early church did?
