Acts 2:42-47… They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

The First Christians were so used to spending constant time with Jesus and each other, that the Early Church continued meeting together DAILY (in the temple courts) and WEEKLY (in each other’s homes to celebrate communion).

Church tradition indicates perhaps the 1st meeting spot was at the Temple’s Southern end, as this is where hundreds of Jewish ceremonial baths were located for purification – perfect for baptizing new believers in a city with no large bodies of water.

Notice the idea of church was the people, not the building – they did not have a special temple building to gather in, so they used what they had… the temple courtyard, their homes.

The Church is the people – so we need to think and say “I’m going to be with the Church today” – not “I’m going to Church on Sunday”.

As the persecution of the church began and Christians scattered to other cities and countries in Asia Minor, Christians started to isolate themselves – to their demise… so the author of Hebrews has a challenge for the Church.

Hebrews 10:24-25… And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

We don’t just gather with the church to get something… our motivation for fellowship must be to obey God and to give to others. We go to be with the church looking to encourage someone who needs to hang in there against a tide of discouragement.

Practice: Commit to attend a local church worship service 3 weeks in a row (Track progress on Spiritual Habits home page)

Gathering in Weekly Worship

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