The Community of Believers
The New Testament community of believers
The Acts of the Apostles is the earliest account we have of the spread of Christianity during the
1st century CE. There is a general consensus that Acts was written by Luke, probably before 70
CE.
The life of the early Christian community is characterised by its enthusiasm, under the guidance
of the Holy Spirit.
From the beginning it demonstrates elements of an organised structure, reflected in its
practices, communal life, worship and discipline.
These are described in Acts 2:42-47.
We are told that the early Christians ‘devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and
fellowship’ and that ‘they all had things in common’.
‘They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship’ (overlap with year 2)
‘The apostles’ teaching’ (Greek, didache) was preached in the early church in what the New
Testament scholar CH Dodd termed the kerygma, which means ‘a proclamation’.
The aim of the kerygma was to proclaim the key facts of the Gospel. It followed a particular
pattern:
● Old Testament prophecies have been fulfilled; the Messiah has come.
● This has happened through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus
● He was born of the House of David, and died to save humankind
● He was buried but resurrected on the 3rd day
● He ascended into Heaven and sits on the right hand of God
● He will come again to be Humankind’s Judge and Saviour
● Therefore, all are called to repent and be baptised in his name
This was the teaching to which the early community was devoted. Acceptance of this teaching
and Baptism led the believers to a ‘fellowship’ - a special relationship with God through Christ,
expressed through communion and following apostolic doctrines.
‘(They devoted themselves) to the breaking of bread’
The phrase ‘breaking of bread’ can signify two things:
● The Lord’s supper - the sacrament to remember Jesus’ sacrifice
● The dividing of loaves at a communal meal. In apostolic times such meals were held
regularly in some Jewish communities (e.g. the Essene community)
The meaning of the phrase is determined by its context.
The New Testament community of believers
The Acts of the Apostles is the earliest account we have of the spread of Christianity during the
1st century CE. There is a general consensus that Acts was written by Luke, probably before 70
CE.
The life of the early Christian community is characterised by its enthusiasm, under the guidance
of the Holy Spirit.
From the beginning it demonstrates elements of an organised structure, reflected in its
practices, communal life, worship and discipline.
These are described in Acts 2:42-47.
We are told that the early Christians ‘devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and
fellowship’ and that ‘they all had things in common’.
‘They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship’ (overlap with year 2)
‘The apostles’ teaching’ (Greek, didache) was preached in the early church in what the New
Testament scholar CH Dodd termed the kerygma, which means ‘a proclamation’.
The aim of the kerygma was to proclaim the key facts of the Gospel. It followed a particular
pattern:
● Old Testament prophecies have been fulfilled; the Messiah has come.
● This has happened through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus
● He was born of the House of David, and died to save humankind
● He was buried but resurrected on the 3rd day
● He ascended into Heaven and sits on the right hand of God
● He will come again to be Humankind’s Judge and Saviour
● Therefore, all are called to repent and be baptised in his name
This was the teaching to which the early community was devoted. Acceptance of this teaching
and Baptism led the believers to a ‘fellowship’ - a special relationship with God through Christ,
expressed through communion and following apostolic doctrines.
‘(They devoted themselves) to the breaking of bread’
The phrase ‘breaking of bread’ can signify two things:
● The Lord’s supper - the sacrament to remember Jesus’ sacrifice
● The dividing of loaves at a communal meal. In apostolic times such meals were held
regularly in some Jewish communities (e.g. the Essene community)
The meaning of the phrase is determined by its context.
