Life Together · Day 1
Acts 2:42-47 — a devotion
Acts 2
- 42저희가 사도의 가르침을 받아 서로 교제하며 떡을 떼며 기도하기를 전혀 힘쓰니라And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.
- 43사람마다 두려워하는데 사도들로 인하여 기사와 표적이 많이 나타나니And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
- 44믿는 사람이 다 함께 있어 모든 물건을 서로 통용하고And all that believed were together, and had all things common;All who believed were together, and had all things in common.
- 45또 재산과 소유를 팔아 각 사람의 필요를 따라 나눠 주고And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need.
- 46날마다 마음을 같이하여 성전에 모이기를 힘쓰고 집에서 떡을 떼며 기쁨과 순전한 마음으로 음식을 먹고And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,
- 47하나님을 찬미하며 또 온 백성에게 칭송을 받으니 주께서 구원 받는 사람을 날마다 더하게 하시니라Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.praising God and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.
KJV and World English Bible — Public Domain · 개역한글 ⓒ Korean Bible Society
Background
The book of Acts was written by Luke, a physician, to Theophilus, recording how the church began and spread after Jesus' ascension. This passage comes at the end of Acts 2, right after the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost and three thousand people believed through Peter's sermon. At the time, Jerusalem was filled with Jews from all over the world who had come to keep the Passover, and many of them were converted, forming the very first Christian community. This passage serves as a summary of the ideal picture of the church within the whole of Acts, and it becomes the starting point for the story of the church's persecution and growth that follows.
Reflection questions: 1. Of the four things the early church devoted itself to (teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer), which area is most lacking in my life of faith? 2. Is there a companion in faith around me right now with whom I can share my life? If not, what small step could I take? 3. Recall one experience of how gathering together has shaped your faith.
Today's reflection
Acts 2:42-47 vividly portrays the early church that was born after the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This community devoted itself to four core practices: the apostles' teaching, fellowship with one another, the breaking of bread (shared meals and communion), and prayer. These four were not mere religious rituals but a way of sharing the whole of life together.
Theologically, this passage shows that the essence of the church lies not in buildings or institutions but in relationships. The Holy Spirit transformed each person one by one, and those transformed people naturally came together to form a community of sharing. Even selling their possessions to give to those in need was not something forced but a voluntary expression of love. This sharing did not mean everyone had to have the same amount; it meant caring for one another according to need.
Simply put, the believers of the early church did not just meet once a week — they ate, learned, and prayed together every day. And the people around them, seeing that sincere sharing, were naturally drawn in. The fact that those being saved were added day by day, as verse 47 says, was not the result of a program but the natural fruit of a community of love.
Our faith today is not meant to be lived alone either. When we share the Word together, care for one another's lives, and stay connected through prayer, faith grows deeper and stronger. Even in a small gathering, we can experience God's presence in relationships where people are genuinely present with one another.
In the app
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Today's verse on your lock screen
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160 topical series and a reading plan
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