Fellowship in the Body of Christ
'They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship..'
Acts 2:42
One of the gifts that Jesus left behind for his followers was the
church. In fact, the forming of a church is one of the first effects of
the Holy Spirit being poured out. Even today, if someone has really
received the Holy Spirit one of his/her desires will be to be devoted
to a church. Read Acts 2:41-42.
The church is one of the first joys that a young believer will
experience in Christ. For in addition to our own personal walk God, it
is with-in the Body that the Holy Spirit brings to us rebukes,
encouragement, challenges and refreshment. All these aspects of a
Christian walk are experienced with the joy of the Lord.
'Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.
They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere
hearts, praising God...' Acts 2:46
No need to worry about a lower attendance on Wednesday and Sunday
nights! Not in a true Christian church anyway. These believers loved to
meet together. They knew it was one of the joys of being in Christ
Jesus! The pleasures of this world held no attraction for these
believers. In fact, the joy of Jesus was so strong in their lives they
met not just twice a week, but 'every day'.
Instead of it being a trial to be around each other every day, all
these believers had died to their selfishness and served one another in
love. How they must have loved, encouraged, shared, challenged and
admonished one another!!! How few churches there are today who have
this kind of Holy Spirit fellowship. Just look at the unity Jesus
brought into these believers lives...
'All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that
any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they
had... There was no needy person among them.' Acts 4:32
Now scripture does not say they 'socialized'. It says they
'fellowshipped' with each other. What is so often called fellowship is
merely socializing. When visitors come into a church they ought to see
a much different kind of fellowship going on than you will find in a
secular organization. The conversation and actions of the people should
be much different. That is, if it is a fellowship that God has
produced. Just listen to the blessing Paul pays this church.
'Now about brotherly love we do not need to write you, for you
yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.' 1
Thessalonians 4:9
This kind of fellowship only comes about by prayer springing from a
pure heart. Brothers and sisters let us pray hard for such fellowship
to be produced here by God. Let us be on guard against self-produced
socializing we call fellowship. Very often people will say, 'I don't
have to go to church to be a Christian'. They claim that they know God
but that they don't have any need for being at church. If that is
you...then listen up!!
'If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in darkness, we
lie and do not live by the truth.' 1 John 1:7
How is it this lie comes out? How is it that one really is in
darkness? By not being committed to a church. Let us finish reading the
rest of 1 John 1:7,
'But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have
fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his Son purifies us
from every sin.'
Did you notice that? Your sins are forgiven by the blood of Jesus as
you fellowship with others in that faith!!! Let us be 'devoted' to one
another. For that is where the blood of Jesus becomes activated! For it
is not socializing but fellowshipping by the Light of God's power that
the blood of Jesus heals us. Please be reading the scriptures listed on
the back.
Pray for repentance in your church. That they would learn from the
Spirit that what they call fellowshipping is merely the socializing
spirit of man and not the Light of the Almighty God.
And let us pray to God that there will arise those who know by the
Holy Spirit what it is to really love one another. For now let no one
deceive themselves into thinking they can be a Christian without going
to church. That some how they can go it alone without being committed
to the Body of Christ. For as Hebrews 10:25 says,
'Let us not give not give up the habit of meeting together.'
The following scriptures must be approached with awe and
helplessness. An awe that knows that they are commands of God and a
helplessness that knows we cannot possibly live them. If you approach
these scriptures with this in your heart, picking up a cross that will
cause you to loose your life, God will give you grace to live all of
them. To live them abundantly.
FELLOWSHIP
How we fulfill the law of Christ- Galatians 6:2 How we show we are
disciples- John 13:34-35 Why we assemble- Hebrews 10:24-25 How we live
a life worthy of the gospel- Philippians 1:27, Ephesians 4:1 Where
walking in the light leads us- 1 John 1:7 How maturity is measured-
Ephesians 4:12-13
CHARACTERISTICS OF FELLOWSHIP IN THE LORD
Belonging to one another- Romans 12:5 Devoted to one another in
brotherly love- Romans 12:10 Washing one another's feet- John 13:14
Serving one another- Galatians 5:13 Sharing what we have with one
another- Acts 2:44-45, 4:32-35 Bearing one another's burdens- Galatians
6:1-2 Stirring one another up to love and good works- Hebrews 10:24
Encouraging one another- Hebrews 10:25 Building one another up-
Ephesians 4:29 Honoring one another- Romans 12:10 Admonishing one
another- Colossians 3:16 Restoring one another- Galatians 6:1 Accepting
one another- Romans 15:7 Confessing our sins to one another- James 5:16
Forgiving one another as God has forgiven us- Ephesians 4:32 Praying
for one another- James 5:16 Being of the same mind with one another-
Philippians 2:2, Acts 4:32 Going to one another when relationships are
broken- Matthew 5:23-34 Being patient, bearing with one another in
love- Ephesians 4:2 Above all, love one another deeply- 1 Peter 4:8
IN THE SPIRIT
Love in the Spirit- Colossians 1:7-8
We were called to peace- Colossians 3:12-15, 1 Thessalonians 5:15,
Galatians 5:22
God must teach us how to love- 1 Thessalonians 4:9 See the effect
the Spirit had- Acts 2:42-47
All love, sharing fellowship must be ONLY by God's power- 1 Peter
4:10-11
What to aim for- 2 Corinthians 13:11-14
HOW WE SHOULD GREET ONE ANOTHER
Romans 16:16 1 Corinthians 16:20 2 Corinthians 13:12 1 Thessalonians
5:26 1 Peter 5:14
{Before you call anyone brother you may want to listen to the tape
called "Brothers".}
SOUND DOCTRINE BBS
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