WHY it matters//

The Bible describes the relationship between God’s family, the church, with the word koinonia. This is the word that we get fellowship from. The basic meaning of this word is to be as committed to Jesus as we are to one another. The word community is easily thrown around and applied very lightly to all types of groups of people… but what does it really mean? To be a community means much more than enjoying the same activities or being in the same stage of life. The standard for koinonia seems to be a high one, but it’s worth pursuing if we really want God’s version of community.

WHAT it's talking about//

Acts was written by Luke around 63-70 AD and it concerns the establishment of the Church and its development over the first 30 years of existence. Following Jesus’ departure and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit there is mass conversion of more than 3,000 people. These new believers formed the first Christian community. Acts 2 outlines what that community life encompassed. This is a template for what God’s family is supposed to look like. The modern-day challenge is how we will live in this level of love and devotion in a very different time and culture.

Acts 2:42-47 NIV

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 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, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.