“They devoted themselves to the teaching of the Apostles and to fellowship with one another, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42) Williams

Devoted (Def): (Gr.): Proskartereo, from Pros, Kartereo: Steadfast, Earnest towards, Continuously diligent, Assiduously attendant upon, Closely adhered to, Wait on continually

To be devoted pertaining to a person, place, cause or thing is to be dedicated to it above and beyond the casual observance or participation in it. Devotion is to be a devotee of the highest order with a continuous steadfastness and assiduous attendance to the object of devotion that cannot be deterred. It is discipleship of the highest order.

This steadfast devotion was evident in the Apostles as they waited before the Day of Pentecost as they were commanded to do by Jesus:

“These all continued (proskartereo-were devoted) with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brethren” (Acts 1:14).

Then following Pentecost, Luke tells us:

“They continuing (proskartereo) daily with one accord in the Temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart” (Acts 2:46).

The devotion of the early church fathers to the communion and fellowship of the saints was extraordinary.

It was the Apostles especially, who after the controversy of the daily administration of service to the Greek widows, who were being neglected (cf. Acts 6:1-3) that the Apostles appointed seven men full of the Holy Spirit to do this service of waiting on the tables. The Apostles then said, “We will devote ourselves to praying and to service by speaking the Word” (Acts 6:4). Beck

The Apostle in his Epistle to the Romans declared:

“Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant (proskartereo-being fully devoted) in prayer” (Romans 12:12). This instant response to prayer demonstrates the full devotion of the saint to the things of the Lord and shows forth one who is continually ready, and closely adhered to prayer in a time of need.

To the Church at Colossae Paul wrote:

“Continue (proskartereo–be fully devoted) in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2).

The devoted saint, pastor, teacher is a person of constant prayer. They are steadfast in it and are earnest in their devotion to the Lord in all things that pertain to His Kingdom, whether in service, worship, prayer, teaching, or other ministry to the people. They are ever watchful, constantly give thanks to the Lord, and continually wait upon Him for His goodness and mercy to the saints.

How is your devotion to the Lord? We live in an evil day, and it is incumbent upon us to be fully devoted, less we fail in our service and calling by being drawn away with the things of this world.

Paul gives us the illustration of one of his ministry partners whose name was Demas. To the Colossians he wrote: “Luke, the beloved physician and Demas send you greetings” (Colossians 4:14). In his Epistle to Philemon Paul wrote greetings to: “Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers” (Philemon 1:24). But sadly, to Timothy, Paul in his old age wrote: “For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world and is departed unto Thessalonica. . .” (II Timothy 4:10).

The truly devoted are devoted to the end, ever faithful, steadfastly loyal, continuously diligent, to the Lord, to the Kingdom, to the ministry and to one another. Let nothing of this present world distract us and cause us to depart the faith and our faithfulness to our God.

Devoted. That makes a good epitaph for any life in service to our Master, our Lord, Jesus Christ.

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