|
The Book of Acts gives us the
historical account of the first century church. The first
century church was a dynamic church. It was a preaching
church. It was a mission-minded church. The church began
with 120 people, and by a space of thirty years, the Gospel
had spread from Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria and to the
uttermost part of the world.
The first century church was also a
Spirit-filled church. In Acts chapter 2, in the account of
the Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came down in mighty power,
and 3,000 people were saved that day. These new believers
“continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers”
(Acts 2:42).
The first century church is marked by
four things – (1) apostles' doctrine (2) fellowship (3) the
breaking of bread and (4) prayers. These are the four non-negotiables
of the church of Christ. These non-negotiables cut across
time and space, across language and culture. They are not
dependent upon the size of the church. The Church of Christ
at any time, at any place, of any size must be continuing
stedfastly in apostles' doctrine, fellowship, the breaking
of bread, and prayers.
These four non-negotiables are also
the four sails of true spiritual revival in the church.
While it is true that genuine spiritual revival is the
sovereign work of God, it is also true that there can be no
revival in the church if God’s people do not continue
stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, the
breaking of bread, and prayers. The early church was blessed
because the believers “continued stedfastly” in fellowship,
meaning that they “gave continual and devoted attention” to
the life in the body of Christ.
+ Are you continuing stedfastly in
the apostles’ doctrine (Bible study),
fellowship, the breaking of bread (Lord’s Supper and
worship) and prayers?
Fellowship Explained
“Fellowship” in Acts 2:42 is also translated
as “contribution” (Rom 15:26), “communion” (2 Cor 6:14),
“distribution” (2 Cor 9:13), “communication” (Phile 6),
“communicate” (Heb 13:16).
“Fellowship” is used to describe two
things – (1) the giving of our substance to help the poor,
and (2) it is also used to describe the common things that
Christians share. To have fellowship is “to have things
in common” (Acts 2:44; 4:32). Christian fellowship is
not communism. The communist says, “Give
me what you have.” The Christian says, “Take what you need.”
+ The early Christians
had fellowship because they had all things in
common. They were willing to give up what was rightfully
theirs so that others may have their needs met. What are you
prepared to give up for the sake of biblical fellowship?
Fellowship established
Biblical fellowship is about being committed
to people with whom we share a common experience – the
experience of salvation. The sacrifice of Christ on the
cross and His resurrection from the grave is the basis for
our fellowship. We can fellowship with one another because
of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us (1 Cor 1:9; 1
John 1:3).
A. Partakers of the Divine Nature
Christians are made partakers of His divine
nature. “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and
precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of
the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in
the world through lust” (2 Pet 1:4). To be a partaker of
the divine nature means that believers are given the moral
nature of God.
+ Are you
conducting your life by the principles of
grace? Do you purify yourself even as Christ is pure (1 John
3:3)?
B. Partners in Christ
The Christian has an inseparable union with
the Saviour. Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches
(John 15:5). To be a partner in Christ means that whatever
our Lord has, we have (Luke 11:2). It means that where He
is, there will we be one day (John 14:2-3). It means that
what He is, we shall be also (Rom 8:16-17; 1 John 3:2). It
also means that where He walked, we must follow (John 15:20;
Phil 3:10; 1 Pet 4:12-13).
We can be partners in Christ
because of what He has done. We come to God the Father
through the Son, but it is the Son who has called us and
chosen us (John 15:13-16). We are not servants. We are not
just friends. We are sons of God in Christ.
+ Are a child of God? Do you know
God as your Father?
Fellowship exercised
The believers heard, believed, and they
brought into spiritual union with Christ. But they not only
entered into a relationship with Christ, they also entered
into a relationship with the church of Christ. They became
members of the body of Christ, of which He is the head.
A.
Sharing with Others what Christ has Shared with Us.
Biblical fellowship means sharing with others
what Christ has shared with us.
There are two parts to sharing – intangibles and substance.
Believers in fellowship are to “rejoice with them that do
rejoice, and weep with them that weep” (Rom 12:15).
Believers in fellowship are also to share with others our
substance. “He that hath two coats, let him impart to him
that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.”
(Luke 3:11; 1 Tim 6:19).
+ Open your hands so that you can give as well
as receive.
B.
Accepting Others as Christ has Accepted Them.
Fellowship is shown when we honestly accept others in the
same way as Christ has accepted them. When the prodigal son
returned home the father saw him in the distance and
“fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20).
+ Be “kind
one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even
as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you”
(Eph 4:32).
Conclusion
Today, the church is inundated by all sorts
of methods and techniques to grow the church. But church
growth and true biblical fellowship need not be a church
programme. True biblical fellowship has to flow from the
Christian. It is not a church programme, but it must be the
Christian’s priority. |
