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What the First Christians Had In Common

Part 1

Robin Burroughs

"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42)

The people referred to in these passages had just heard the gospel preached for the first time. What an exciting time in history! For the 3,000 plus people who would believe and obey, this was their day for salvation. Their "like precious faith" created a common bond, and they began to share time together. Many others would follow, desiring the fellowship that these Christians now shared with one another.

"They continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine." They did not depart from the precious truth they had gladly received (Acts 2:42). There was complete unity within the brotherhood. In Acts 2:44, we see that all were "together." The word together here does not refer to a location but that they were together in sentiment. Oh, if we could just be as those first century Christians today, what a difference we could make for the kingdom of Christ. The difference they made because of their unity was evident in how the church grew at that time. Within a relatively short period of time, the church grew to about 5,000 men (Acts 4:4) - in addition to thousands of women. It has been calculated that by the time Stephen was stoned (Acts 7:1-59); the believers in Jerusalem numbered no fewer than 20,000 souls. This would have constituted one-third of the city's population which was estimated at some 55,000! Unity was so important to Jesus that He prayed to His Father for us.

"Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as we are." (John 17:11)

They also continued in Fellowship. What is fellowship? The Greek word for fellowship means to share with someone in something; participation (especially with a close bond), communion. We often think of fellowship in the sense of eating together but it is much more than that. Christian fellowship is also more than just a mere friendship with another person. It is a bond of unity in love. As Christians, our hearts are knitted together in love (Colossians 2:2-3). Fellowship is a bond of unity in purpose (1 Corinthians 1:10). Fellowship is also a bond of unity in our hope of eternal life (Titus 1:2). Fellowship is the building of each other in faith (Jude 1:20; Philippians 2:4; Hebrews 10:24;1 Thessalonians 5:11).

"That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:3-7)

In order to have meaningful fellowship with other Christians, we must have a meaningful relationship with our God. The hand of fellowship must extend to God first. The first Christians had fellowship with their God because of their obedience to the Gospel, which allowed them the blessing of having precious fellowship with each other. This type of fellowship is noticed in a community and in the lives of all who partake. What the first Christians had in common with each other in the first century, we have in common with each other today. Let us all strive for the same unity and communion with each other that was enjoyed in the first century.

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