Fellowship Around the Table: The First Century Church

Today’s Topic: Fellowship Around the Table: First Century Church
Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Greetings Kingdom Citizens
Now we left off asking the question where did the first century church fellowship around the table? Now we know Acts 2:42 is the four elements of Kingdom culture but let's examine this entire passage because it is loaded and gives us our answer and glimpse into how different we are and have become from the first century church.

Acts 2:42-47: "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine, and fellowship and in the breaking of bread and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things in common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they continued daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking of bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

Now the first thing about fellowshipping around the table is the church should be on one accord (Acts 2:46). This should be no surprise at all because in Acts 2:1 on the day of Pentecost it says they were all with one accord when the church was birthed. Now it says in Acts 2:46 that there were with one accord in the temple. So we need to be in one accord in the temple first. How can the church show the world the Body of Christ and the nature of Christ if the Body is not on one accord. The body is dysfunctional in that sense. Now the next part of verse 46 is they broke bread from house to house and did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.

Now here is the breaking point. The church has become so large and so busy that this aspect of Kingdom culture of breaking bread house to house is rarely visible. I will admit I have not done it because my understanding of fellowship and breaking bread has been boxed to the church (preaching the word only) and having a meal at the church (fellowship). Now that the Lord has revealed the eternal side to this I understand more now than ever the importance of house to house fellowship. Now it is not only the pastor that should do this, everyone in the church should fellowship with each other. If we did that we would likely eliminate some of the problems such as gossip and stereotyping amongst citizens because the fellowship at one's house sets a personal atmosphere and allows Holy Spirit to reveal truths between the children of God. Now in the age of the mega-church to do this would either be too expensive or too time consuming but look at the spiritual costs we are paying for not understandng. Moreover because of the focus being membership size and money, we sacrifice Kingdom culture for personal prosperity and imaged-based growth.

However it stuns me that because the first century church was doing exactly the things instructed of them by Jesus THE LORD ADDED to the church (Acts 2:47). Exemplfying Kingdom culture has a powerful affect because it allows Christ to draw people through the sons of God.

At the Father’s Service,
Elder Calvin Calhoun Jr.