Fellowship 1 (Acts 2:42-47, Acts 4:34-37) !!! Fellowship meaning Friendship, Communion, Companionship or Partnership among other descriptions that mean coming together in unity or solidarity for one purpose is the key of practically sharing God’s love he gave us in bringing salvation. God type of fellowship starts with God and the Holy Spirit, a person must be able to fellowship with God first to be loaded with his type of love to influence others unto righteousness. In creating us and sending Jesus to die for us God is seeking genuine fellowship with us, which demanded such a huge sacrifice which we can pass on to each other (Colossians 1:21-29). Ephesians 5:9-11- For the fruit of the Light or the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life. And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him]. Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead expose and reprove and convict them. 1 Corinthians 1:9- God is faithful; by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 2 Corinthians 6:14 - Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership have right living and right standing with God with iniquity and lawlessness? Or how can light have fellowship with darkness? This means do not commit unrighteousness as unbelievers or agree with them to walk in unrighteousness when you are in fellowship with God, but this does not mean chase away unbelievers from hearing God. Acts 2:42-47- And they steadfastly persevered, devoting themselves constantly to the instruction and fellowship of the apostles, to the breaking of bread [including the Lords Supper] and prayers. And a sense of awe (reverential fear) came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were performed through the apostles (the special messengers). And all who believed were united and [together] they had everything in common; And they sold their possessions (both their land, property and their movable goods) and distributed the price among all, according as any had need. And day after day they regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose, and in their homes they broke bread. They partook of their food with gladness and simplicity and generous hearts, Constantly praising God and being in favour and goodwill with all the people; and the Lord kept adding [to their number] daily those who were being saved. If it required God to sacrifice his only son Jesus, for the purpose of bringing us into his fellowship, therefore it requires you a believer to bring one another into fellowship with you and God but at your cost. If you truly have that love of bringing others into your fellowship in God then be prepared for such a sacrifice which God blesses you for advancing his heart and love. According to the fellowship in the book of Acts, people were fellowshipping together in the Apostles doctrine which means they were fellowshipping with the Apostles first which Apostles were for God’s Office and then one another imparting the same Spirit the Apostles has into one another. Fellowship with God goes through a hierarchy God placed for us to enjoy his covering and doctrine in fellowship (Psalm 91). This is why it was called the Apostles doctrine meaning people were being imparted the spirit and love of God through the teaching of the Apostles which they could extend from house to house sharing & doing. It doesn’t start by just fellowshipping but accepting the Apostles as God’s Appointed Messengers and also that what they are doing & teaching which has relevance to what Christ did is for truth the word from God (Acts 1:1, Ephesians 5:21). Through fellowship in the Apostles doctrine salvation were coming to people, because naturally people needs to be in a place where they are accepted and loved, and no one wants to be in a place where you are segregated and rejected. The idea of classifying people into groups is the cause of killing genuine fellowship in various church gatherings, hence there is no effectiveness in soul winning. Social groups of the elite are created thereby making a barrier to good fellowship. Some of the costs of crusades are easily cut by genuine fellowship of those who are in already. We didn’t have life and Christ died that we may have life in him all of us irrespective of what status you have. Material mind set has created a certain class of God (monster) in today’s Christian minds hence making God unattainable to the weak/poor by the match making system. These classes to any visitor or new believer are not difficult to unearth at his/her first arrival because it kills any spirit of welcoming people (hospitality). Even if you are in any congregation you fellowship, notice these signs, if new people come either as new converts or visitors and more than 50% drop out, it means there is an anti-fellowship culture that chases away people. I have seen the deadly effects of such culture as far as encouraging others to be in the Lord is concerned when I first landed in Mutare the other year. It was so difficult that you could not find anyone who is willing to greet you when you are a visitor because of the need to protect their affiliate camps. Feeling the need to bring back fellowship, we had to make sacrifices among us who were able and willing in order to bring the whole boys fellowship together and others started to learn from that and do likewise. Even someone who didn’t have, he could not feel that this food or any doesn’t belong to me and by this chance we developed each other academically, spiritually and professionally. When people come together they need to unite and work together, reality in God is this, we need one another and we should value one another as God placed a value on us by giving us Jesus Christ. In this model of fellowship of the Apostles, those who have possessions would share with those who didn’t have so that no one is exposed because of lack. The truth is people came to the same Jesus who loved them all the poor and rich, and before receiving faith they had possessions already they acquired. To show evidence that they have now received faith and love of God, they were able to sacrifice for the purpose of sharing with others who didn’t have for God’s glory. They did not put a burden of expenses to them that didn’t have and could not carry it in-order to be part of others. Consider the purpose by which you want to sacrifice for God’s glory and you will not feel like someone is being an expense on things you are able to provide because God’s word says to him much is given much is required. If it’s for God, then God is not a robber he will give back, but if it’s for pride then it is wise to take your pride away from God’s people that you will not become an offence to others who need to hope in God. Many believers love this fellowship of the Apostles in Acts but they are not ready to follow the application of it, if you feel grieved to share with others what you have, then you need help. In calling people to assemble together (Hebrews 10:25), God has confidence in that, us who have first received the faith and love given by him will also be able to give it one to another for his glory in Christ Jesus. Lack of genuine fellowship in believers is one of the weaknesses the devil has capitalised in confusing the church. Be able to break out of religious philosophies that put you in boundaries that do not accept other believers, make corrections so that you will not work as devil’s agent in turning away people from God.
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 07:56:22 +0000
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