Reflection for the website – Sunday 26th April 2026 Easter 4A
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-end
This short passage from Acts is set shortly after the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost It tells of how the earliest Christians followed Jesus’ call, even in challenging circumstances, and began to enter into the abundant life that Jesus came to bring us. Following Pentecost, the number of followers of Jesus in Jerusalem grew quickly—around three thousand had been baptized by the time of today’s passage. The upper room, in which the core group had been staying, was no longer large enough to hold them all.
So they met in smaller groups, in homes that could accommodate gatherings safely – for it would have been risky to have arranged huge public gatherings.
In these verses, we hear of them adopting what me might call today a “Rule of Life,”, four basic practices that helped them put God at the centre of every aspect of their lives:
- They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching—learning more about their faith and the Scriptures.
2. They shared fellowship – the word used here, “koinonia”, means not just casual catch-ups, but deep, meaningful interactions with those in their Christian community.
3. They broke bread together, probably holding the Eucharist in the context of shared meals.
4. They prayed and worshipped — together, consistently, and with devotion.
Living in this way changed them. We’re told that they shared their possessions, cared for and gave to those in need – a radical generosity towards others flowed out of their more abundant lives – and they kept praising God, even in difficult times. Their lives stood out from those of most others in the city, and people noticed. They “had the goodwill of all people,” and more people came to know Jesus because of the way they lived. We live in a very different context, two thousand years later, but those four practices—learning about our faith, sharing fellowship, breaking bread, and praying regularly, can still form the basis of our Christian lives and help us too to know the abundant life that Jesus promises his followers. And as we do so, we too will be changed, becoming more generous and open to the needs of others, and by the way in which we live our lives, to help them to come to know Jesus for themselves.
Dear Lord, we pray that we may continue steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and
fellowship. May we always seek to learn from your word and grow in our faith together. Help us to come together in the breaking of bread, to share in your love and grace. And may we never forget the power of prayer, to connect with you and seek your guidance and wisdom. We ask for your strength and guidance as we strive to follow your example and live out your will. Amen.