Sunday Supernaturally: Signs of Devotion

But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;… So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 

Acts 2:16-19; 41-43 ESV

Peter’s Pentecost sermon was followed by a huge influx of new believers.  The Bible tells us they immediately “devoted themselves” to some things, with the outcome being awe at the presence of God in their midst accompanied by ongoing signs and wonders.  What were they devoted to?

• The apostles’ teaching.  They didn’t have bibles but were probably familiar with the Old Testament.  The apostles were teaching them who Jesus was, how He fulfilled the Messianic predictions of the Old Covenant, and what they needed to do to be His disciples and to live that out in this new world order.
• The fellowship.  The word is koinonia.  It refers to sharing things in common, a relationship between individuals with a common interest and a mutual, active participation in that interest and in each other. 
• The breaking of bread.  This can refer to the Lord’s Table, or to sitting at a meal together.  In this case, it probably includes both.  Their practice was commonly to eat together, then share in the Lord’s Supper. 
• The prayers.  Prayer was a frequent community activity.  They prayed with one another, and they prayed for one another. 

They were diligently and persistently engaged in the Word, one another, the Lord’s Table, and prayer.  If that’s our standard, where are we today?

If the outcome of getting back to the basics of the faith is the presence of God and miracles flowing then I am ready!  Let’s do this.