New Covenant Priorities

​The first priorities of the New Covenant Church founded in Jerusalem are outlined for us in the Book of Acts, chapter 2:42 - "And they (the members of the early church) continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers."
Did you note the 4 priorities?
1)  "Continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine (teaching) " - There were so many things to learn about the New Covenant promised to "Israel" from the Old Testament Scriptures that were inaugurated by the work of the Messiah.  Jesus' trained his disciples and filled them with the Holy Spirit to correctly interpret what the Old Testament taught about salvation and the church's new role in the world.  This is such and important facet of our own church life that we devote Sunday School, Sunday Services, Mid-week Bible Studies, Men's & Women's devotional times, youth camps, family devotions, and so much more to learning how we are Christ's ambassadors to the world, ministering the Good News of Jesus Christ.
2.) Fellowship - Being a "book smart" Christian is great; but we also have communion with the lives of others in the church.  We do so by demonstrating grace, humility, hospitality, and concern with fellow believers as we walk the road of life and faith together.
3.) Breaking of bread - Again, we are not merely a hospitality and social organization either!  There IS something spiritual, holy, and eternal about our gatherings; we nourish our faith by affirming our 'pledge, bond and presence' with the Lord and one another that sets us apart from the world and its sinful ways.
4.) Prayers - Our life is not controlled by unseen forces.  The Lord loves His Church and has promised to care and defend her.  We love God for His fatherly protection over us; this is why we praise, sing, and lift up our prayers for His will to be done!  This is why we pray for one another and even those who have authority over us -- that the Spirit of God will open their minds to the truth of Jesus as King over all we do in life.
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We all need to commit to these marks of the true Church of Jesus just as the first Christians did when the church was established!  Identifying these marks keeps "the first things first," and prevents us from following social conventions and human techniques upon which many wish to build the church.  We ought commit ourselves to the simple and ordinary ways Jesus has designed His church to fulfill her mission.