In Acts 2:42 we read that one of the four things the early church devoted itself to was “fellowship.” Fellowship was a very important part of their reason for meeting together. It was one of their objectives. But what is fellowship?
We often hear people talking about fellowship. We hear it said that what we need is more fellowship. But ou…
In Acts 2:42 we read that one of the four things the early church devoted itself to was “fellowship.” Fellowship was a very important part of their reason for meeting together. It was one of their objectives. But what is fellowship?
We often hear people talking about fellowship. We hear it said that what we need is more fellowship. But our modern ideas of fellowship have become so watered down that the word no longer carries the same meaning it did in New Testament times.
We are not surprised that the early church devoted itself to “the apostles’ teaching” and also “to prayer.” Apart from the ministry of the Holy Spirit, these are the two most important means of growth, power, and effectiveness in the Christian life and this is everywhere evident in the rest of Scripture.
But Luke tells us these early Christians also devoted themselves to fellowship. They just didn’t have fellowship; they devoted themselves to it. This means that fellowship was a priority and one of the objectives for gathering together.
They made fellowship a priority. Fellowship takes place in a Church or if need be, in the catacombs.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, NOT FORSAKNG OUR OWN ASSEMBLING TOGETHER, as is the habit of some, Heb. 10:23-25. The God who created us knows how much we need fellowship! Any way other than together is Not the same!
Thank you Kim! I was just going to look up that verse which tells us to
‘Not forsake the the fellowship of believers’.
You’re so right! Our church (local leadership) was pretty weak, but we stuck it out through the sad, inadequate online services. We all realized how bad it was to not be together in person!
Where does it say “in a Church”? You don’t need a fancy building to be a church. I go to a small home church and it’s so much better than the large church I used to attend, or the base chapel I was involved in overseas. We meet twice a week and fellowship and listen to a sermon and study the Bible. And we have no 501c3 status to be beholden to the tax man. You can’t tell me I’m not “in church” just because there is no church building involved. Just real people who love Jesus.
I did not mean a church building. The church is the people, and they need to meet together whether it is in the forests (communist countries) or catacombs in Rome. The location is irrelevant! My church building is a former restaurant.
I have many friends. Christians. Non Christians. We help each other and others. I still attend a women’s Bible study from the church. God will lead me where he wants me. Since I was receiving little from the worship there having realized the truth of what was happening I asked God to make me fit and strong with a peace to not succumb to fear. A congregation will follow. I was also being shamed and guilted by a couple of people there
In Acts 2:42 we read that one of the four things the early church devoted itself to was “fellowship.” Fellowship was a very important part of their reason for meeting together. It was one of their objectives. But what is fellowship?
We often hear people talking about fellowship. We hear it said that what we need is more fellowship. But our modern ideas of fellowship have become so watered down that the word no longer carries the same meaning it did in New Testament times.
We are not surprised that the early church devoted itself to “the apostles’ teaching” and also “to prayer.” Apart from the ministry of the Holy Spirit, these are the two most important means of growth, power, and effectiveness in the Christian life and this is everywhere evident in the rest of Scripture.
But Luke tells us these early Christians also devoted themselves to fellowship. They just didn’t have fellowship; they devoted themselves to it. This means that fellowship was a priority and one of the objectives for gathering together.
They made fellowship a priority. Fellowship takes place in a Church or if need be, in the catacombs.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, NOT FORSAKNG OUR OWN ASSEMBLING TOGETHER, as is the habit of some, Heb. 10:23-25. The God who created us knows how much we need fellowship! Any way other than together is Not the same!
Thank you Kim! I was just going to look up that verse which tells us to
‘Not forsake the the fellowship of believers’.
You’re so right! Our church (local leadership) was pretty weak, but we stuck it out through the sad, inadequate online services. We all realized how bad it was to not be together in person!
Where does it say “in a Church”? You don’t need a fancy building to be a church. I go to a small home church and it’s so much better than the large church I used to attend, or the base chapel I was involved in overseas. We meet twice a week and fellowship and listen to a sermon and study the Bible. And we have no 501c3 status to be beholden to the tax man. You can’t tell me I’m not “in church” just because there is no church building involved. Just real people who love Jesus.
I did not mean a church building. The church is the people, and they need to meet together whether it is in the forests (communist countries) or catacombs in Rome. The location is irrelevant! My church building is a former restaurant.
I am replying to the person who stated she stopped going to church.
Its great that you have a Christian fellowship !
I want her to consider the importance of that fellowship.
I have many friends. Christians. Non Christians. We help each other and others. I still attend a women’s Bible study from the church. God will lead me where he wants me. Since I was receiving little from the worship there having realized the truth of what was happening I asked God to make me fit and strong with a peace to not succumb to fear. A congregation will follow. I was also being shamed and guilted by a couple of people there