Acts 2:42 is a foundational passage, not just for the book of Acts, but for the entire New Testament. This chapter paints a vivid picture of the early church, and it calls us to reflect on what it means to be devoted to Christ’s kingdom. When we think of Acts 2, the word “Pentecost” naturally comes to mind. But Pentecost is more than an event—it’s the fulfillment of Christ’s work in establishing His kingdom through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Kingdom in Luke’s Theology

To understand the significance of Acts 2, let’s consider the broader theology of the kingdom as presented by Luke. In Luke 17:21, Jesus declares, “the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” In Luke 22:29, He tells His disciples, “I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom.” 

Throughout Luke’s Gospel and Acts, we see repeated references to preaching “the good news of the kingdom” (Luke 4:43, 8:1, 9:2, 9:60; Acts 8:12, 19:8, 28:23, 28:31). In the book of Hebrews, possibly written by Luke transcribing Paul, reminds us to “be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 12:28). This kingdom has three defining characteristics:

  1. It is Blood Purchased – Jesus said in Luke 22:20, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” Paul echoes this in Acts 20:28, urging the Ephesian elders to care for the church, “which he obtained with his own blood.”
  2. It has a Born-Again Prerequisite – As Jesus taught in John 3:3, “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
  3. It is Built by Preaching – The kingdom advances not through governments, laws, or external means, but through the inward work of the Holy Spirit as the gospel of Christ is proclaimed.

The kingdom is here, at least in pat, here and now. It is in the midst of God’s people. It is where His rule is recognized and rejoiced in. It is the church! Consider:

The Kingdom in Acts 2

Acts 2 shows us the kingdom of God coming to fruition. Jesus promised in Luke 9:27 that some of His listeners would “not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.” This wasn’t about heaven or the end times—it was about the establishment of the kingdom, which we see unfolding in Acts 2. 

For a kingdom to exist, it needs three things: a king, subjects, and a territory. Jesus is the exalted and reigning King. The subjects are those who, as Acts 2:41 describes, have repented and believed the gospel. The territory? In a sense, it’s the visible church, the community where Christ’s reign is publicly recognized and rejoiced in. Jesus Himself spoke of the church as the kingdom’s boundary, giving the “keys of the kingdom” to His the church in Matthew 16:19.

This is why Jesus said in Luke 7:28 that the least in the kingdom of God is greater than John the Baptist. While John was great, he didn’t live to see the kingdom fully inaugurated through the church as it was in Acts 2. The believers in the early church were experiencing the reality of Christ’s kingdom in a way John never did.

The Church: The Glory of Christ

Wilhelmus à Brakel writes:

“The church is the glory of Christ. It is there that Christ is confessed and proclaimed throughout the world, being held forth as a banner upon a hill around which one must gather himself. This is the city upon a hill, and a light shining in the darkness. She is the means whereby the truth is made known and preserved, and the means unto the conversion of souls. Everyone is therefore obligated to facilitate this by joining himself to the church.”

Acts 2:47 captures this beautifully: “The Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” When the gospel takes root, that is, when the Lord does the adding!—whether in Jerusalem, Samaria, Corinth, Ephesus, Thessalonica, etc.—the result is the same: souls are saved, baptized, added to the church, and committed to kingdom life. Acts 2:42-47 gives us a glimpse of this life: devotion to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. These display the marks of the church—Word, community, ordinances, worship, and membership. These things are not spelled out in other places in Acts because Luke has already laid the groundwork for us to show us what church life looks like.

Biblical Christianity

Our modern, Bible-Belt culture often portrays a Christianity that’s far removed from the vibrant, committed community of Acts 2. In the 19th and 20th centuries, practices like altar calls, popularized by Charles Finney and Billy Graham, led many to equate conversion with a one-time decision—walking an aisle or saying the right words. But some studies suggest only 2-4% of those who “came forward” at such events were genuinely converted. This has left us with a shallow view of Christianity, where people may claim Christ with no devotion to Christ’s kingdom.

In contrast, Acts 2:41-47 shows us that when God saves someone, He plucks them from the kingdom of darkness and adds them to the kingdom of His Son. Our allegiances, affections, attitudes, and actions are now different. This is what happens in Acts 2: the gospel pierces hearts, people repent, trust Christ, and are transformed into devoted members of His church.

Devotion to the Church

Acts 2:42 says the early believers “devoted themselves” to the apostles’ teaching, the fellowship, and the breaking of bread, and the prayers. This word “devoted” carries weight. It means “to occupy oneself diligently”, “to persevere with intense effort, even in the face of difficulty.”

We understand devotion in other areas of life—marriage, family, work, or personal goals. These are not bad things. We know that devotion to these things means saying “yes” to certain commitments and “no” to others, sacrificing and enduring for what matters most.

But, can’t we see this same devotion applies to the church? The early believers didn’t just attend services; they were all in—sharing real relationships, genuine love, and authentic community (Acts 2:45-46). This wasn’t a “see you on Sunday” faith. It was a life of commitment, sacrifice, and endurance. And none of this, by the way, without commitment to sound doctrine.

I find it fascinating that even before Acts gets to the offices of the church in elders and deacons, that Luke describes well for us what the whole body life looks like. Oh that we would see more churches seeking to mold themselves to this model! 

In no way do I mean that elders and deacons are optional. We need churches under qualified elders and served by qualified deacons. But just note that Acts 2 shows us that the entire body is committed to tangible church life. I understand that we can’t and shouldn’t replicate everything from Acts 2 into our world today. But the foundational principles of what it means to live together in a local church, ought to be brought over in every era. 

A Call to Self-Examination

Take a moment to assess your own life. Does Acts 2:42 describe the Christianity you practice? Are you devoted to the local church? We often sacrifice time and money for sports, careers, or hobbies, but when it comes to the church, we hesitate. We make excuses. 

Are you praying for your brothers and sisters? Are you giving generously? Are you saying “yes” to church life and “no” to other things? When there is a conflict between church life and something else, what wins out more times than not?

If your answer is “yes, I am devoted to this glorious institution,” keep going! Let your love for Christ, who is altogether lovely, fuel your devotion. If your answer is “no,” consider this: Jesus is more devoted to His church than any of us could ever be. His devotion is the ground of our salvation. But the sobering reality is that all those not devoted to the church are not devoted to Christ and risk standing as His enemies when He returns.

No Regerts

The typo was on purpose. But seriously. No regrets!

Devotion to the church involves sacrifice, hurt, and difficulty—yes. I’ve never been kicked in the teeth like I have been in church life. But regrets? Not in eternity! The local church is the most beautiful place on earth, where God is at work today. It’s where we experience joy, growth, sanctification, love, and knowing God all the more deeply alongside His people. If you’re holding back, fearing you’ll miss out on worldly escapades, know this: there is true fulfillment in going all in for Christ’s kingdom. As Jesus promised, those who serve Him faithfully will hear one day, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

So, let Acts 2:42 be your barometer. Is membership in, devotion to, and love for the local church descriptive of who you are? Let’s commit ourselves to Christ’s kingdom—sacrificially, enduringly, and wholeheartedly. For God’s glory!

Christ is worthy of a healthy church.