Acts 2:41-47
So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Throughout 2025, the focus of these articles have come from these verses in the Book of Acts. On January 5, I preached our state of the church address from this text. The Book of Acts is the story of the church. In many ways it is the fifth gospel. Acts answers the question of what happens if Jesus is murdered. Will the movement die? Will his followers fade and the threat of His influence disappear? Acts testifies to the transformative power of the gospel. When the Holy Spirit came upon them, they did become His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria (Acts 1:8). The promise of Abraham was fulfilled, that through His seed the nations of the world are blessed (Gal. 3:16).
Acts also answers the question of what becomes of the people of God. The Book of Acts reveals that those who are transformed by the preaching of the gospel are not just a scattered group of individuals, but they become one new people, with a singular identity, and a unified purpose. That begins to unfold as quickly as Acts 2.
Thousands respond to the gospel at Pentecost, and the Spirit begins to unify their hearts and lives as outlined in Acts 2:41-47. In our sermon on this passage, I identified seven basic elements that are true of all churches: evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, ministry, worship, prayer, and stewardship. Week by week I have reminded you of these principles through this article on our website. My desire has been to massage into our thinking the necessity of these elements being applied to the ministry of the church, with the intent that our culture will be shaped by Scripture, not by pragmatism.
Fellowship is the result of the fact that “God the Father through Jesus Christ, the Son, and by/in the Spirit has established in grace a relation (a "new covenant") with humankind. Those who believe the gospel of the resurrection are united in the Spirit through the Son to the Father.” (Biblestudytools.com/dictionary/fellowship) The fellowship spoken of in the Bible is not so much about a set of activities, as it is the experience of the reality of a relationship with God first, and then by extension all those who belong to God in Christ. Fellowship is the result of evangelism, it is the means of discipleship, the locus of ministry, and it is the fuel of corporate worship.
A church which recognizes and honors its fellowship in Christ will worship faithfully, minister effectively, evangelize boldly, and disciple one another naturally. So, as this year ends, keep leaning into fellowship. Embrace the reality of being one in Christ, by developing and deepening your relationships with one another.
May God bless the fellowship of believers who are Capitol Hill Baptist Church.
By His Grace and For His Glory,
Pastor Mark
