Text- Acts 2:47 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
From our text today, we see that the word of God, the breaking of bread and prayers are intended to take the center stage in the gathering of believers.
However, as I studied Church history, I began to observe the different transitions that have occurred over the years. These transitions usually reflect in the changes we see in the setting and arrangement of Churches.
Early on, the most important thing to believers was the breaking of bread. So Churches had a very large communion table, and ‘gathered around’ it weekly. The word and prayers also took a major place in Church meetings but the height of the service was the breaking of bread.
Later on, particularly after the reformation, the attention shifted to the word of God. At that time Churches began to put the communion table in a place called the Chancel, but had a very large pulpit for preaching. The word took the center stage at this point, but the importance of prayer and the Holy Communion was preserved.
But then again, after many years, another shift occurred through a gradual process… The table started becoming less important until it suddenly disappeared; prayer meetings became very scanty; the pulpit became smaller and smaller, and a very large stage became the in thing… the focus shifted away from the communion, prayer and the word. The focus was now on performance.
It has gotten so bad now that the Holy Communion has been phased out to a once in a year practice in many Churches, and many are now of the opinion that prayer meetings and preaching are not an effective way to reach out to the younger generation today.
I strongly disagree with these notions. I still believe that prayer, breaking bread and preaching the word are the most important things that a Church should focus on.
Beloved, as you go to Church today beloved, I want you to shift your attention away from all the performances, as good and wonderful as they may be, and let your focus be on prayer, the Holy Communion, and the preaching of the word.
If you happen to have been attending a Church where performance is the focus; where no serious prayer is done; where the Holy Communion is not taken at least once every month; and God’s Word of truth is not treasured and taught accurately and practically, I think you should look for another Church.
But for those who already belong in a Church where all of these things are fully in place, I want you to reorient yourself and focus on the right things as you go to Church today.
PRAYER
Lord as I fellowship with other believers today, help me to rightly focus on continuing steadfastly in doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.