In this installment of this series, we wrap up our study of chapter 2 of the book of Acts and provide a chapter review. We hope that this series continues to be a blessing to those who wish to follow the example of Jesus Christ and the first generation of His disciples.  

Real Communion 

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42) 

It is important to revisit this verse to discuss the conclusion of this chapter. Remember this is discussing approximately 3,000 men who were converted on the day of Pentecost. We are told that they steadfastly continued in the doctrine of the apostles (which was given through Jesus Christ by God the Father) and fellowship. This word fellowship was also translated as communion, communicate, communication, contribution, and distribution in the letters of the apostles. This Greek word means partnership, i.e. (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction. It is commonly taught that communion refers to memorializing the last Passover meal Jesus shared with His disciples (Luke 22:1-20). 

This teaching comes from misunderstanding that Paul was using this event as an analogy in I Cor. 10:16. Reading the surrounding verses can provide context to what Paul meant. In verse 14 of the same chapter, Paul tells the Corinthians to flee idolatry. The context of the conversation is idolatry not communion as a ritual or tradition.  

“Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? ¹⁹ What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? ²⁰ But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. ²¹ Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. ²² Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?” (I Cor. 10:18-22) 

If you research the definition of the word fellowship in verse 20, you will see that it is a synonym of the word communion used in verse 16. These words are even spelled similar in the Greek language and have to do with partnership. Paul was declaring that their partnership should be with those in the body of Christ through partaking of His sacrifice. Paul was literally talking about those in the church openly eating things that were declared to be sacrificed unto idols (Read verses 25-33)  

Communion as expressed in the Bible is about partnership and association with the saints of God. It implies there is a specific way Christians are to associate with one another. Notice what Acts 2:44-45 says. 

“And all that believed were together, and had all things common; ⁴⁵ And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.”  

3,000 people believed together and shared their possessions with those who had needs. This is not commonly practice amongst people who profess to be Christian. These men held all things in common. There was no bureaucratic structure collecting donations. These men were in real partnership, helping one another out of love. This same Godly partnership is written about in Acts 4:32. There was no selfishness among these men. They recognized the needs of others and shared their excess and sold unnecessary possessions to provide for the household of God. 

Another interesting fact that must be pointed out is this was not a tithe to the apostles for conducting their ministry. In fact, the very next chapter shows that neither Peter nor John had any money. The reason for pointing this out is to show that the sharing of possessions among the saints has nothing to do with providing for those in church leadership. It is about providing for the needs of the body of Christ as a whole. Many church organizations take up tithes and offerings to fund different things, but this is not the precedent established in the book of Acts. Collections were taken up to support local members’ needs and never for those in ministry specifically.  

Real communion is about recognizing the partnership between all believers. This is a lesson Christians need to INTERNALIZE. As the world descends further into darkness, Christians should establish means to support one another economically. This means that Christians should try to work, live, and fellowship in the same communities rather than spread out in a way where they cannot partner with other Christians. Surviving the end times is going to require Christians to maintain this godly level of partnership displayed by the early church. It is easier to navigate trials and tribulation with the support of fellow-believers than to go it alone.  

“And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, ⁴⁷ Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:46-47) 

These Christians were with each other daily. Christians have lost sight of how important it is to work together, to eat together, and to worship together on more than one day a week. Many of us have allowed satan’s world to consume our time with the acquisition of resources for survival. Though survival is important, Christians need to learn to partner with each other to supply their needs rather than becoming isolated and weak. As the saying goes, “there is strength in numbers.” Communion is not a Christian ritual. It is a way of living. It is living in partnership with those who share a common faith. It is using your time, labor, and resources to support other members of the household of God! 

Chapter 2 Review  

The following is a list of major points of interest in chapter 2 of the book of Acts as they apply to the end times. Remember, the purpose of this series is to show how Christians should behave as the Great Tribulation approaches. 

1. Pentecost is not merely a Jewish holiday. The first century church kept Pentecost because it is a representation of the God’s work. This feast day is about the harvesting of the firstfruits of the field. God, being the Lord of the harvest, has planted His word and His Spirit into those He is calling. He will harvest of this group at the return of Jesus Christ. For a thorough explanation of this see Part 6 of this series. 

2. Prophecy will be fulfilled. God has not prophesied these things in vain. Christians should have full assurance that God will carry out His word. This includes the establishment of His kingdom on earth at the return of the King, Jesus Christ. Christians should set their hearts and mind on that coming kingdom (Matt. 6:33). The hope of the promised resurrection should keep Christians grounded in living faith. Living faith is the only thing that will keep a Christian from being coerced by the beast system to come. 

3. Hope in the resurrection should inspire Christians to preach Jesus’ message. Jesus Christ boldly proclaimed that God’s kingdom will be established, and it will rule over the whole earth. Jesus is the king of that kingdom, and He will not allow people to live in willful disobedience to the Father’s will. This message of the kingdom includes the fact that those who turn away from sin and live the way God has prescribed will be made joint-heirs of the kingdom to come.  

4. Real conversion is not a feeling of guilt for past sins. It is about turning towards God the Father and away from sin. Conversion follows repentance which is changing how you think, feel, behave in regard to sin. Conversion is living a life that is pleasing to the Father despite the way everyone else is living. No one can be converted if the Father is not calling him.  

5. Christians must walk worthy of their inheritance. No one who is unfaithful to the doctrine of God the Father and Jesus Christ will enter into His kingdom.  

6. Christians must have real faith in miracles. God has performed many miracles for His saints. He has promised to protect His saints during the Great Tribulation. God did not promise to remove His church from the earth during that time. Those who are faithless should not expect God to protect them from the dangers to come. Christians must keep their eyes on the return of Jesus Christ and the resurrection.  

A Brief Letter to You 

Dear Reader, 

Please keep in mind that this series is a Bible study that requires you to research the topics alongside reading the text published on the website. These Bible studies are not substitutes for studying your Bible independently.  

I would also like to recommend that you try to find locals that you can Bible study with outside of any formal institution. The pattern of the early church was to meet, eat, read, praise, and pray in each other’s houses. This allowed the church to expand even in the face of persecution. The church is not a building. The church is the people (the called-out ones)!! Meeting in “church” buildings is no different than the gathering of social club members. The body of Christ is not a social club; it is a partnership; a unity of people who share faith, joy, pain, and possessions as an act of love for one another!!! 

The soundest advice I can give to any Christian is to follow the example of Jesus and the early apostles. This is how you will survive the end times. If you have not realized by now, then allow me to make it very plain that this series is not about physical survival of the end times. It is about spiritual survival; enduring in the faith until the end of your physical life. (Matt. 13:20-21; Matt. 24:13).  

If you are actively studying Bible prophecy, then you probably realize that the world will not get better. Do not allow this fact to discourage you from being a light in a world filled with darkness. The disciples of Jesus Christ are told to, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16) This verse is a reminder of how every Christian should be during the Great Tribulation! The light in you and the good that you do should point nonbelievers to your Father in heaven!!! But know this, that those who the Father is not calling will hate you just like they hated Jesus Christ (John 15:18-21).  

Nevertheless, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32) Let your hope be in the kingdom to come where there is abundant joy and peace. Remember that “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” (Rev. 21:7)