Acts 2:42-46 (ESV)
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[a] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,
I overheard a conversation between the Youth Director and a visiting youth. The youth asked, “How is it you know the schedule of all your youth? You guys seem so close like a family.” Personally, I was a newbie. The group was relatively new to me. It puzzled me too that this group of youth seemed to know each other’s schedule. One youth got a call from her mother to say she couldn’t fetch her home after school. She didn’t have to hesitate to call the Youth Director immediately for help. This leader responded without dithering. I was intrigued by the tight community of this “social club”. They were ready for each other. Remember I mentioned the negative connotation of that label? The fact is, the church is positively one. She is designed to be a tight social community with a common vision and mission. We must not forget that nor undermine the power displayed through this body.
The salvation gift Jesus offered me was more than just unpacking a personal package. Soon I realised the package is more extensive than I expected. Salvation is a personal gift. Along with it laced with a huge mysterious complex yet interesting treasures of all sorts to make up an exquisite conglomeration. Gradually, I came to understand the essence Acts 2:42-46, which people call “church”. It was not an instant blend in. It required a good amount of effort towards that devotion – receiving the teaching, assimilated into the fellowship (koinonia in Greek), breaking of bread (communion) and prayers. Absolutely not an easy task for a reserved me. In that process of blending into koinonia, God the Father of this big family led me to discover my own insecurity which was the barrier to fully enjoy koinonia. Koinonia can only happen when each brings oneself to be offered as a gift to bless others by being participative, proactive and being a pillar of support. I became increasingly aware that there was no way for others to
welcome me into koinonia without me learning to be vulnerable and be real. That security stamped from the Rock of my salvation. As I enjoy the true freedom in Christ through the teaching, communion and prayers, I dispense my true self gradually and steadily to cultivate intimate relationships with my fellow brothers and sisters in this huge family, which is ever growing.
Koinonia is richly and gorgeously portrayed in this passage to be a united force to mutually bless each other within and mobilizing force in outreach. The numbers were added daily to the early church as they perform these simple acts. Fellowship is a word diluted too much in our social and even churchy context. Its true essence is a concentrated concoction of complex combination and copious contribution. It’s combustible!
The Antioch (an ancient bible town) church exploded through simple observation of koinonia on top of their consistent learning of the apostles’ teaching, communion and prayers.
How does the post-modern church differ from the Antioch church?
What strikes you when you read this portion?
What are your personal challenges in koinonia?
Submit them to God the Interior Designer of His House.
I pray that each of us will reach out and reach forward as we reach in to filter out every layer of insecurities so that we will be vulnerable again. You are part of koinonia. We are the koinonia.
© Pr Selina Khoo Lim, Gateway City Church, Penang. 15 May 2020