April 9th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON ACTS 

THEY DEVOTED THEMSELVES 

Acts 2:42 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”   

In today’s devotional verse Luke gives us a glimpse into the New Testament church that formed following Pentecost. With the almost miraculous conversion of the three thousand on Pentecost there was the potential, once everyone returned to their homes and normal daily life, the initial fervor of those baptized that day could have gone away. That was not the case. Luke wrote, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”    

The Greek word for devoted and the tense of that word indicate that the people came together continually and with great energy. They Kept on listening to the apostles’ teaching, they came together to share with one another in the faith they had received. They continued to partake of the Lord’s Supper. They prayed together.    

This one verse here in Acts 2, gives a brief description of the religious life of the first Christian congregation. The emphasis of this verse is on the intensity of the worship life of these early Christians. They put their heart and soul into their worship and fellowship life.  This verse provides a model for the church of today, doesn’t it? This model is needed for in fact, according to PEW research, only 20% of actual members of evangelical congregations attend on a given Sunday and 40% attend only once a month. Jesus, as a twelve-year-old, while in Jerusalem went to the temple and engaged in theological discussions with the leaders there. When his parents finally found Him, remember what He said to His mother, “Didn’t you know I must be about my Father’s business.”    

“They devoted themselves. . .” is in sharp contrast to the trends in worship of today’s believers. Is this verse not a strong encouragement to you to “continue” in fervent worship and Bible study, join together with your fellow Christians regularly, receive the Lord’s Supper faithfully and be fervent I prayer?    

Prayer: Holy Spirit, Light Divine, Shine upon this heart of mine; Chase the shades of night away, Turn the darkness into day.” In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Holy Spirit, light divine,
Shine upon this heart of mine;   
Chase the shades of night away,
Turn the darkness into day. 

Let me see my Savior’s face,
Let me all His beauties trace;  
Show those glorious truths to me
Which are only known to Thee. 

Holy Spirit, pow’r divine,
Cleanse this guilty heart of mine;  
In Thy mercy pity me,
From sin’s bondage set me free. 

Holy Spirit, joy divine,
Cheer this saddened heart of mine;  
Yield a sacred settled peace,
Let it grow and still increase. 

Holy spirit, all divine,
Dwell within this heart of mine;  
Cast down ev’ry idol throne,
Reign supreme, and reign alone.  

Holy Spirit, Light Divine // LSB 496