This is the first teaching in our “Devoted” series based on Acts 2:42: “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”  

For this message, we reflected on why we should be devoted to “the Apostles’ teaching” using Hebrews 2:1-4 as a source of specific instruction on the message they brought.

Here are some questions/encouragements for your use and to share with others:

Read Acts 2:42

Recall that this passage follows just after the Holy Spirit filled God’s first new covenant people for the very first time at Pentecost. (See Acts 2:1-41)   Consider the phrase “they were continually devoting themselves.” What does this passage tell you about the effects of the Holy Spirit filling that first church at Pentecost?   As one belonging to Jesus, this heart of devotion is your heritage too. It is what He poured out His blood to give you: the new heart of a new creation. (See Ephesians 2:10)

Read Hebrews 2:1-4

Why is the message about Jesus “such a great salvation”? What does it save us from? (See Romans 1:18-2:6) What does it give us? (See Ezekiel 36:26-28; Ephesians 2:10)   What is the danger the writer of Hebrews is concerned about? How is this danger different from persecution or what we might think of as sudden “terrible” sins? (See Mark 4:19)

Finally – spend some time with the Lord

Ask Him to renew your desire to be devoted to Him – and especially to the gift of His Son, in whatever way that devotion needs to look in your life. Tell Him you want to treasure Jesus and His “great salvation” as you should, and to “pay close attention” to this incredible message of His Son. Tell Him you need His help to protect you from drifting away from Him through neglect and that you want to respect the fatherly warning which He has given you out of love. Ask Him to help you know what your devotion to Him should look like and – by His grace – to help you desire to follow in that way.