Fellowship in the Early Church

FELLOWSHIP IN THE EARLY CHURCH

Togetherness in the Early Church

ACTS 2:41-47

At the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven, the number of the disciples including women was about one hundred and twenty (120). After Peter’s speech on the day of Pentecost about three thousand souls were baptized and added to the Church. Also after the prayer of Peter and John for the crippled man at the beautiful gate who got healed during the hour of prayer, about five thousand men were converted and added to the church.

The converts all stayed in Jerusalem with the disciples. They formed the early Church. There was a sense of togetherness and belonging among members of the early Church. They were of one heart and one mind, they did everything in common.

Characteristics of the Early Church

The characteristics of the early Church can be summarized as follows:

1. They devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching and fellowship.
2. They lived communal life; they had everything common.
3. They broke Bread together. This means they took Holy Communion together.