I am currently working on a research paper on the texual variant in Acts 2:42. There are actually two variants in the verse. The one I am working on is the inclusion or exclusion of the "kai" between "fellowship" and "the breaking of bread." Your may be asking, why does it matter whether the word "and" is present in this verse or not? (The editors of the UBS New Testament must have thought the same thing since they did not include the variant in the textual apparatus.) If we are to understand the life of the early church, this variant needs to be dealt with.
There are two possible readings to this verse:
1. And they were devoting themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.
2. And they were devoting themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to fellowship and to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.
Now, if reading 2 is the original, then Luke is speaking of four distinct activities that the early church devoted themselves to. If reading 1 is original, then there are two possibilities or how it can be read. First, Luke could be referring to two distinct activities, the apostles teaching and fellowship, with fellowship being explained by the breaking of bread and prayer. Second, Luke could be referring to three distinct activities, the apostles teaching, fellowship, and prayer, with fellowship being explained by the breaking of bread.
Since none of these aspects of the life of the early church were bound by the culture they lived in, the proper interpretation of this verse has great significance on our practice as a community of believers today.
I will continue to post on how I resolve this variant over the next few weeks. Please pray that the Holy Spirit would guide my mind as well as my pen.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
So, where does singing, offerings, and business meetings fit in?
Seriously, Theron, I'm looking forward to you paper! This does have significant implications for the church.
I question if those are really different . ????
Also if they are, then they don't seem that differnet that it would matter to God. Or does it????
Jesus seemed to be a man about the heart..... Loving God first and people with all he had!
I wounder if we get cought up in "this way or that" does it take us away from the heart and put us in the mind set of " we got to get the action down to the tee."
At the same time God does encourage us to ask for and seek wisdom, understanding, knowledge.
So in conclusion.... I think that if we get the heart of God, of what Jesus wanted to teach us, then I think we can be creative and use our hearts to glorify him, in Truth.
I think it is clear that he wanted us to remember his Death and be thankful.
Besides Jesus was in constent fellowship.
So I don't see much difference, but I hope God will help you see the importance of what he is trying to show/teach you. And hope to hear more about it!
So
Post a Comment