42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’
doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
What is the apostles’ doctrine? The simple answer is
that it is what the apostles taught, or the teaching of the apostles to the
church. So far, when we have seen the Apostle Peter preaching it has been the
Word of the Lord. More specifically, it was the Old Testament and the gospel
of the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ, spoken by one who was filled with the
Holy Spirit. It is safe to conclude, therefore, that this would be the standard
teaching for the apostles. There was no New Testament as we know it today. It
is also obvious that the Lord spoke directly to and through the apostles for
a period of years. This is seen in the letters and books written by them and
those associated with them. These letters and books to churches and individuals
were formed into what we now call the New Testament.
But at this juncture – in Peter’s case and in the
case of the other apostles – they taught the Old Testament. They took
the Old Testament and applied it, relating it to Christ Jesus and specifically
to His resurrection. This was how they presented the gospel. The apostles’
teaching of the Old Testament included divine revelation as well, given to them
directly by the Lord. When saints gathered together, the emphasis was on the
doctrine from the apostles. For the church to function properly or at all, it
needed to be taught. What good is a gathering of people together if there is
nothing to learn? What purpose is served if people gather together and ignorance
rules the day? Here the Bible reveals to us the supremacy, preeminence, and
dominance of doctrine – and the need of the congregation to continue in
it. This should be done with great devotion to it. Notice, this is not for the
sake of learning alone, but to continue in it.
Look at the verse again: “And they continued steadfastly
in the apostles’ doctrine.” This does not mean that they continued
in the hearing of doctrine, but they themselves continued in the doctrine
from the apostles. Let us examine this word “doctrine” and see its
absolute importance in the church. The point just made need to be reiterated
so we may understand the importance of doctrine as it relates to us and the
entire church world. As far as continuing “steadfastly in the apostles’
doctrine” is concerned, this does not mean that they continued in the
hearing of doctrine, but they themselves continued
in the doctrine from the apostles.
When the Scriptures emphasize the word “doctrine,”
it is assumed that hearing alone is not the proper response of those who have
received it correctly. The proper response should be that we ourselves continue
steadfastly with our lives in the apostles’ doctrine. “Doctrine”
is translated “teaching or Christian instruction to the church.”
The apostles emphasized teaching. Those who embraced the gospel message
of the Apostle Peter were believers. As we have already stated, when they believed
the gospel they demonstrated their belief by a corresponding lifestyle. This
truth is clearly and irrefutable evident in the text itself.
To “continue steadfastly” means that those believers were
“devoted, to be steadfastly attentive unto, to give constant care
to a thing, to continue all the time in a place, to persevere and not to faint.”
In simpler words, they devoted their lives to what they were taught. Those new
converts to Christianity devoted themselves. With equal zeal, they devoted themselves
to four areas of Christian life. What were those areas?
- Doctrine
- Fellowship (association, community, joint participation)
- Breaking bread (bread shared at the love feast and at the Lord’s table
or any kind of food)
- Prayers (a place set apart, or suited for the offering of prayers)
One of the most salient characteristics of this new church
in Jerusalem was their loyalty. They were loyal to Jesus Christ and to one another.
They were committed to meeting each other’s needs. They were committed
to gathering together (continually devoting themselves). Day after day these
saints were committed to the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, breaking
of bread, and prayer. Day after day they went to the Temple and ate from house
to house. Today’s church is totally different. People journey from church
to church looking for a group that most serves them. And when it is not convenient,
they stay at home. We need little or no excuse for “forsaking the assembling
of ourselves together” (Hebrews 10:25). We need little prompting to do
things that are more immediately gratifying to our wicked flesh.
As was previously stated, these new converts to Christianity
devoted themselves to four areas of Christian life with equal zeal.
However, I want to emphasize what I consider to be the main focus in this portion
of truth. It is the priority of doctrine in the church and what that doctrine
will do to those who embrace it. Notice that doctrine, or teaching, is first
on this list of the priorities that the saints followed. So what is doctrine?
What does the word truly mean? Why are so many people confused about it and
why do many others count it as irrelevant? Why