Life is about devotion. People attach themselves to things they enjoy and love. Sin makes us devoted to ourselves. Salvation allows us to be devoted to God. As the early church began to find its way, Luke records four practices that believers were to devote themselves to: the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, communion, and prayers. The first practice is the teaching that the Apostles set forth so that the church could continue to learn about God. This knowledge, through the work of the Holy Spirit, would allow believers to be conformed into the image of Christ.
This doctrine was what the Apostles had learned from Christ. At the foundation was the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection. The early church was called to hear, study, and apply what the Apostles taught doctrinally. They did this together as they moved out into the world as witnesses for Christ.
This week, you will be writing your own doctrinal statement. As you reflect on the role of the apostles’ doctrine in the early church, consider how you will prayerfully develop your own doctrinal statement and what you need to keep in mind as you prepare for the week ahead.
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