Continually Devoting Themselves

Several years ago in a Sunday School class, we got off onto a discussion of the early church as described in the book of Acts. We all agreed that the modern-day church scarcely resembled the first church. In my humble opinion, churches have grown even further away from that early model.

My sister and I are in the early stages of plotting a novel about a recently-converted ex-convict, now on parole, who attempts to start life afresh in the small community in which she grew up. The only problem? Both the town and the local church have a hard time getting past her past.

As is always the case when I write a new book, I delve into relevant scripture passages in an attempt to immerse the story in scriptural accuracy. For this study I intend to look at the New Testament churches and at the problems they confronted. This first passage from Acts has enough meat it in for several devotionals, so over the next few weeks, I hope to touch briefly on what made this church successful. I also hope to spur on thought and conversation around this one question:

Can the model of the Acts 2 church be reproduced today?
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They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. -Acts 2:42-47 (NASB)

Continually…

The grammar of the Acts 2 passage above frequently uses an active tense, which shows that the actions of the members of the early day church were something they did continually. And what was it that they did continually?

Devoting…

Here’s the continuous action again with the -ing suffix, with the word ‘devote’ attached in front. To devote means to: To give or apply (one’s time, attention, or self) entirely to a particular activity, pursuit, cause, or person; to set apart for a specific purpose or use: land devoted to mining; to set apart by or as if by a vow or solemn act; consecrate.

All throughout God’s Word we see examples of people devoting themselves to God, which is a committing of their entire beings and lives to Him and for His purposes. The Greek word here means “persevering,” in the sense of not giving up and staying committed to Him.

What did they devote and keep on devoting?

Themselves…

Though this is self-explanatory, I think the following verses also help when it comes to understanding our individual roles as members of the body of Christ.

And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” -Luke 9:23 (NASB)

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. -Romans 12:1-2 (NASB)

Part of devoting ourselves to Christ is to sacrifice ourselves. If we don’t carry out this crucial step, we’ll end up serving self instead.

Conclusion

If we truly desire to transform our churches, it must start with us as individuals continually devoting ourselves to Christ and allowing Him to transform us from the inside out.

Discussion

Why does our personal devoting of self to Christ need to be a continuous action?
Do you think the model of the Acts 2 church can be reproduced today? Do you think we should even try? Why or why not?

 

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