What does the community of believers entail?

They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer(Acts 2:42).

The Day of Pentecost is of vital importance to believers today as we dedicate ourselves to be the people of the Word of God and enjoy the fellowship of believers as the body of Christ and with our Savior, Jesus.

It reaches new believers through fellowship in unity of faith, common purpose, and powerful prayer. As in Acts 2:42, devoting oneself to the teaching of the apostles, the breaking of bread and prayer opens the gates of heaven.

The most important event of all time was now history. The disciples saw their dear friend and master die. Yet, marveling at the miracle of his resurrection, filled with joy and sadness, they saw those nail-pierced feet lift from the ground and ascend to heaven.

The words kept ringing in their ears: "wait for the gift promised by my Father", "you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit", "you shall receive power", and "you shall be my witnesses". Back in Jerusalem, they went up to the upper room to wait (Acts 1:4-5).

After 10 days of waiting, Acts 2 tells us of a sound like a strong wind blowing from heaven and filling the house where they were sitting.

They saw what appeared to be tongues of fire which separated and came to rest on each of them. They spoke in other tongues as the Holy Spirit permitted them—another miracle.

Miracles were familiar to the disciples. They have seen blind eyes and deaf ears opened, lame people walking and the dead being raised.

People in many neighboring countries celebrating the obligatory annual Jewish feast of Pentecost heard these disciples speak and magnify God in the languages ​​of their nations (2:5-11). Perplexed, they asked, "What does this mean?" (2:12). Others laughed at them, thinking they had too much wine.

Peter used the occasion to preach the death and resurrection of Jesus with a call to repentance and forgiveness of sins. This "gift of promise" has begun to bear fruit.

Three thousand people accepted the message, growing from 120 believers in the upper room to 3,000 - an instant family.

As new disciples of Jesus, they "dedicated themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (Acts 2:42).

They met daily in the temple courts and broke bread at home, and shared their goods with those in need. Many wonders and signs performed by the apostles fascinated everyone and showed the power of God through the Holy Spirit.

A like-minded faith was essential for the followers of Jesus. Paul, the apostle, wrote, "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach any other gospel than we have preached to you, let them be under the curse of God" (Galatians 1:8). p>

Unity in what they believed about Jesus and his teachings was crucial for fellowship and unity of faith.

Jesus exemplified the value of unity: "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). Unity in the teachings of Jesus became the foundation that connected them to each other and to Jesus.

This communion, "one Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Ephesians 4:5), paved the way for the transformation of the old self into the new self, being "created in the image of God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:22-24).

The Apostle John wrote:“We declare to you what we have seen and heard, that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ"(1 John 1:3, italics added).

Unity in the teachings of Jesus shaped and reinforced the purpose of evangelism, "ye shall be witnesses", as they carried the gospel everywhere.

To further the goal, God permitted the apostles to "equip the saints for the works of the ministry and to edify the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12).

With the help of the Holy Spirit and the teaching of the apostles, their goal was clear: "Go and make disciples of all nations" (