43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
Those who had been baptized following Peter’s Pentecost sermon knew that they needed to learn more about Jesus and so they continued to study at the feet of the apostles. They would gather for prayer and would break bread together in fellowship. The power of God was still evident in the signs and wonders that accompanied the apostles.
In another translation, the word “fear” is translated as “awe.” This is probably a better emotion considering that they had witnessed the crucifixion and some of them may have been present when Jesus ascended into heaven.
Do you ever wonder what it might have been like to sit with the apostles and listen to their stories about Jesus? They could ask the apostles questions and get some personal information about Jesus. It must have been exciting to be a part of something new.
Today we still need to learn about Jesus’ teachings even though Christianity is not a new religion. Where do we go to learn, break bread and find fellowship with other believers? For those associated with a particular church community, the answer could be there. For others, it is still important to join with other believers. This is what sustains our faith when we are weak, and we, in turn, provide strength for others in their times of need.
Do you attend a Bible study, or have a regular time to sit and reflect on Scripture? I enjoy the insights I gain from the people who attend the two Bible studies I attend each week. The discussions open my mind to see other ways of looking at something I think I know well. We all need to look at the earliest Christians as models for our own behavior.
Lord, I envy the early Christians who had the wisdom and insight of the apostles to help them learn more and more about you. Help me to never stop learning and seeking fellowship with other believers. Amen.
