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Which words give us an account of the behaviour of the first Christians, particularly in their religious assemblies, and of the way of worship used in the church of Jerusalem, the true mother church in the time of the apostles.
Where observe, 1. The doctrine which they adhered to, the doctrine of the apostles; that is, the doctrine delivered by Christ, and taught by the apostles, and contained in the holy scriptures. This was the rule which the first Christians governed themselves by, both as to faith and manners. It was infinite wisdom in God to inspire holy men for committing this doctrine to writing, and not to leave it to the hazardous and uncertain way of tradition.
Observe, 2. The steady adherence of the first Christians, to this doctrine of the apostles; They continued stedfastly in it; that is, they were constant hearers of it, and attendants upon it; they received it not upon trust, but due examination.
Learn hence, That religion being the great interest and common concern of mankind, he that espoused it aright, must first understand and examine the fundamental grounds and principles of it, and then chuse accordingly; otherwise our adherence to the best religion in the world, will rather be the result of chance then of judgment and choice.
Observe, 3. They continued stedfast in fellowship: This may signify and import three things:
1. Their communion with the apostles, their keeping close to their own teachers, in opposition to schism, which is a causeless and therefore a culpable separation: they were obedient to their spiritual governors and instructors.
2. Their society among themselves, and communion one with another; as the communion of saints in heaven is a considerable part of the happiness of heaven, so the fellowship of saints on earth is a sort of heaven upon earth: The comfort of our lives depends much upon society, but more upon the suitableness of society. The primitive saints were all of one mind, and therefore fit to make one body. For though man loves company, yet it is company of those he loves.
3. Mutual assistance which they gave and received, a communication or free distribution to the necessities of each other; they did by love serve one another, and parted with their possessions for the support of each other: This liberality, and mutual supplying one antoher's wants, did plainly shew, that they esteemed themselves as fellow members of the same body, and that they were perfectly united in heart and affection.
Observe, 4. Another religious office in which they continued constant, was breaking of bread; that is, receiving the sacrament. So great and fervent was the devotion of the first Christians, that none of their religious assemblies passed, in which they did not make this solemn commemoration of our Saviour, and shew forth his death; looking upon their other religious service as lame and defective without this. Our Saviour's blood was still warm, and those first Christians kept it so, by their devout and frequent remembrances of it; and it was their constancy in breaking of bread, which quickened and put life into all their religious actions: This fitted them both for doing and dying.
Their frequent drinking of the blood of Christ fired them with zeal for shedding their blood for Christ. Lord! what reason can men now give for neglecting so holy and useful an institution? Are we above these helps to a good life which they used? Have we not as much need to arm ourselves against sin and temptations as they had? But the plain truth is, Men are not willing to be so holy now, as they were then.
This ordinance, their consciences tell them, would engage them to greater strictness of life than they are willing to undergo. They must leave their sins, which they are loath to part with; they must forgive their enemies, whom they had rather be revenged of; they must enter into new engagements, whereas they had rather be at liberty; So that those things which make men loath to come to the sacrament, are indeed, if duly considered, the greatest arguments to draw them thither; and according to the example of these primitive Christians, to be constant in breaking of bread.
Observe, 5. The last thing which they continued stedfast and constant in was prayer: that is, in the public and solemn addresses made to God in the religious assemblies, whereby they poured out their souls to God, both in prayer and supplication, and in praise and thanksgivings.
The public prayers and intercessions of the church of Christ, are greatly to be esteemed by all Christians; they glorify God most, he esteems and accepts them best: This keeps up a sense of God and religion in the world, and nothing delights God more than the joint prayers and praises of his people. The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all performances in the dwellings of Jacob. Psa_87:2