Scripture Study
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). The apostle Paul, therefore, went on to tell the evangelist Timothy, “Preach the Word” (2 Timothy 4:2). He also told him, “Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 4:13). Clearly Christian meetings gave a special place to learn from the Bible. The apostle Peter wrote, “If any one speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God” (1 Peter 4:11). Why is there such a strong emphasis on God’s word? Because there is a great difference between what is “from heaven” and what is “from men” (Matthew 21:25; 1 Thessalonians 2:13). Christians honor God by listening to His word, sharing it and obeying it.
Prayer
Prayer is speaking to God. Jesus taught that prayers should praise and thank God from the heart (not for show or repeated ritual, Matthew 6:5-15). At times fasting goes with prayer (Matthew 6; Acts 14:23; see below). Prayers free us from worry, because in prayer we give all our concerns to God (Philippians 4:6; 1 Peter 5:7). We should try to ask for things that are in God’s will (1 John 5:14; Luke 22:42). Early Christians prayed alone (Matthew 6:6; Acts 10:9), and together (Matthew 18:19-20; Acts 1:14; 4:24; 12:5,12; 20:36). In the meetings “the men,” as spiritual leaders, led in prayers (1 Timothy 2:8-14). Christ is our only Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5). Because of Him we come to God confidently (Hebrews 4:16; 10:19-22). We know that God answers our prayers (Matthew 7:7-11; Mark 11:24; John 15:7; James 5:16). Temple worship of the Old Covenant used incense (Exodus 30:8-9; Luke 1:10). The New Covenant is silent about such incense in Christian worship. Instead, the true spiritual incense is used, namely, our prayers through Christ (Revelation 5:8; 8:3).
Fasting
Notice that Jesus did not say, “If you fast.” He said, “When you fast” (Matthew 6:16-18). Christ expected His people to at times go without food for God. He Himself fasted (Matthew 4:2), and His disciples would fast later (Matthew 9:15). Like prayer and giving, fasting should usually be in secret, for God’s eyes alone. But groups in the early church fasted and prayed together before important events (Acts 13:3; 14:23). By this means they expressed to God their deep concern, and their seriousness in the matters about which they prayed. Times of fasting should not be made into rules to be imposed on others. Like prayer and giving, they should come from hearts that truly want to honor God.