The Book of Acts - Being the Church

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
– Acts 4:42-47

The Book of Acts tells the story of the early Christian church; the events that take place immediately after Jesus’ ascension into heaven as the Holy Spirit compels the disciples to spread the Gospel of Jesus to different parts of the known world.

Acts provides readers with a unique perspective on what it originally meant to be the church. The focus of these early communities was clearly on caring for one another, reading and interpreting the scriptures together, and sharing the message of Jesus with all people.
 
Reading about the form and practice of the early Christian church provides us today with a helpful barometer for the work we currently do as the church today.  While much has changed over the centuries, our call as Christ’s church has not changed.  We too are inspired by the Holy Spirit to create communities of compassion, study, and witness.