Acts 2:42-47 reveals that discovery communities, like churches, are centered on Christ. One of the distinguishing marks of the community that Jesus builds is that its members are linked together in fellowship.

Luke, the writer of Acts, uses the Greek word koinonia in Acts 2:42, which is often translated as “fellowship.” It is a word that is broad and rich in meaning. It refers to “sharing something in common” and “joint participation.” This community that Jesus builds is not a collective of individuals. It is a body of believers in partnership with one another.

The Vocabulary Is Plural

Consider the plural description of the community of believers described in the passage.

Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)

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.

• They devoted themselves…
• All the believers were together…
• They sold…
• They continued to meet together…
• They broke bread…
• The Lord added to their number…

Their Fellowship Was Distinctive

The fellowship of the Christ-followers was different from all other fellowships. They shared a common faith that was markedly distinctive.

• Their lives centered on Christ made their fellowship distinctive (1 Corinthians1:9)
• The indwelling of the Holy Spirit made their fellowship distinctive (2 Corinthians 13:14)
• The teaching they adhered to made their fellowship distinctive.

Sharing Life Together

God intends for His people to have more than a weekly meeting in common. The fellowship of these believers meant that they shared life together. The New Testament depicts God’s people in relationship like a family. This passage presents the idea that they loved being together and did things with each other, over and over again.

• were together – verse 44 (an imperfect tense which means that they made it a practice of gathering together)
• Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together – verse 46

They did not live compartmentalized lives. They enjoyed each other’s company and were committed to one another.

A Remedy for Fragmented Society

Our western culture is immersed in individualism, which masks the value of the community that Jesus builds. The fellowship of believers linked in their one another family has the capacity to attract those who do not have a relationship with Christ. Jesus told His disciples, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Randy Frazee, in his book The Connecting Church lists some of the key problems that society faces that are addressed by a community linked together in fellowship.

(1) The problem of individualism

• Self over Others
• Discord over Harmony
• Individual Rights over Community

(2) The problem of isolation

• Internet shopping
• Rear driveways
• Privacy fences
• Automated drive-throughs

(3) The problem of loneliness

• Physically detached from each other
• Change places of residence frequently
• Do not know our neighbors

Partners in the Gospel

God’s people are linked together in service. The Greek word koinonia can be translated as “partnership,” “communion,” “participation,” and even “generosity.” Paul used it to refer to partnering in ministry (Philippians 1:3-5.) It can also mean sharing material possessions seen in 2 Corinthians 8:1-4 and evidenced in Acts 2 verse 45.

The fellowship of the church was a partnership as the believers joined together to advance God’s mission.

In this passage from the second chapter of Acts, we see that the believers were linked together in fellowship with God and with one another.

Larry Crabb writes,

There’s no higher dream than experiencing God as He moves through every circumstance of life to an eternal encounter with Himself where transformed people will enjoy perfectly loving community around Jesus Christ, the source of Perfect Love.