John Calvin Commentary Acts 2:42

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles` teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers." — Acts 2:42 (ASV)

In their doctrine, Luke does not only commend in them the constancy of faith or of godliness, but he also says that they constantly devoted themselves to those exercises that serve to confirm faith: namely, that they continually studied to profit by hearing the apostles, that they devoted themselves much to prayer, and that they engaged in fellowship and the breaking of bread very much.

Regarding prayer and doctrine, the meaning is plain. Communication or fellowship, and the breaking of bread, may be understood in different ways. Some think that the breaking of bread signifies the Lord’s Supper; others think that it signifies alms; and still others, that the faithful banqueted together among themselves.

Some think that κοινωνια signifies the celebration of the Holy Supper, but I am more inclined to agree with those who think that the Holy Supper is meant by 'the breaking of bread.' For κοινωνια, unless something is added to it, is never found with this meaning. Therefore, I prefer to refer κοινωνια to mutual society and fellowship, to alms, and to other duties of brotherly fellowship.

My reason for preferring 'the breaking of bread' to be understood as the Lord’s Supper here is this: Luke lists those things in which the public state of the Church consists. Indeed, he expresses here four marks by which the true and natural face of the Church may be judged. Do we then seek the true Church of Christ? Its image is vividly depicted and set forth to us here. And he begins with doctrine, which is, as it were, the soul of the Church. Nor does he name just any kind of doctrine, but the doctrine of the apostles—that is, that which the Son of God had delivered by their hands. Therefore, wherever the pure voice of the gospel sounds, where people continue in its profession, and where they ordinarily engage in hearing it to their spiritual benefit, there, without a doubt, is the Church.

From this we may easily gather how frivolous the boasting of the Papists is, while they carelessly thunder out the name of the Church with full voice, even though they have most filthily corrupted the doctrine of the apostles. For if it is duly examined, we shall find no sound part at all; and in most points they dissent from it, and have as little agreement with it, as light has with darkness.

The rule for worshipping God, which ought to be drawn from the pure Word of God alone, is, among the Papists, merely made and patched together from the superstitious inventions of men. They have transferred to the merits of works the hope of salvation, which should have rested in Christ alone.

The invocation of God is entirely polluted with countless profane follies of men. Finally, whatever is heard among them is either a distortion of the apostles' doctrine or a clear overthrowing (and destroying) of it. Therefore, we may as easily refute the foolish arrogance of the Papists as they can conceal their actions with the title of the Church.

For this will be the issue: whether they have retained the purity of doctrine, from which they are as far as hell is from heaven. But they are wise enough on that point, because they want no controversy raised about doctrine. But we, as I have said, may freely despise that vain mask, because the Spirit of God declares that the Church is principally to be esteemed and discerned by this mark: if the simplicity or purity of the doctrine delivered by the apostles flourishes and is powerful in it.

In fellowship. This element and the last flow from the first, as fruits or effects. For doctrine is the bond of brotherly fellowship among us and also opens for us the gate to God, so that we may call upon Him. And the Supper is added to doctrine as a confirmation. Therefore, Luke does not list these four things in vain when he wishes to describe to us the well-ordered state of the Church.

We must strive to keep and observe this order if we are to be truly judged as the Church before God and the angels, and not merely to boast of its name among men.

It is certain that he speaks of public prayer. And for this reason, it is not sufficient for people to make their prayers at home by themselves unless they also meet together to pray, in which also consists the profession of faith.