Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, by holding firm to the word of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing. (Philippians 2:14-16 CSB).

We live in the midst of a generation similar to the one of the first believers in Christ. The Reformation Study Bible defines this crookled generation as “those who resist God’s Word in unbelief and defiant rebellion” (cf. Acts 2:40-41). The Apostle Paul warns the church members at Philippi not to fall into the unbelief of our spiritual ancestors whom Moses led out of bondage. He warns them—and us—rather to remain faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ. How can we best follow and obey his admonition during these times in which we live today? I suggest we go to Acts 2:42 and Luke’s description of the early church:

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.

The early Christians were consistent participants in what we often call “the means of grace.” These are instruments God provides through which God offers himself to us to be received by faith. God accomplishes his ends for us and in us through the Bible, the sacraments (or ordinances), prayer, and the body of Christ (or the church). Let’s consider each briefly in the order Luke lists them.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching. The apostles were essentially explaining and applying the Old Testament Scriptures and also, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, composing the New Testament. So our earliest Christian ancestors were devoting themselves to the study of God’s Word. If we are to give an answer for the hope we have within us; if we are to look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others; if we are to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus, then we must know God’s Word and have it inscribed upon our hearts. Consider two passages in the Bible about the Bible. All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb. 4:12). Let’s stay in the Word together! It is our lamp and our light.

They devoted themselves to the fellowship. The Greek word for fellowship here is koinonia. It is a rich and robust word describing how Christians live with and treat one another. It means a true and sincere sharing of life together. It includes celebrating together, mourning together, working together, and witnessing together of God’s work in our lives. In participating in koinonia we bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ (see Gal. 6:2).

They devoted themselves to the breaking of bread. The early church shared meals together often, even as we do on the third Sundays. But here the breaking of bread likely refers more specifically to the Lord’s Supper. As you know, we partake of this Sacrament together. We demonstrate our communion together as God’s people. We acknowledge the necessity of personal conversion to Christ. We profess the Lord’s death until he comes. And we are spiritually strengthened for the journey in this life.

They devoted themselves to prayer. The Larger Catechism 178 answers the question, What is prayer? Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, in the name of Christ, by the help of his Spirit; with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies. May God give us the grace to be those who indeed live with a constant and consistent spirit of prayer. And let us thank God for these means of grace through which we come to know him better and shine like stars in this world he has made.