THE FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. saved”. (Acts 2: 42 – 47).

‘Fellowship’ in the context of the above passage is all about ‘togetherness or unity’; and ‘believers’ in this light is not talking about Christians from our denomination alone, but they include Christians from other Christian denominations-one faith, one Lord, one baptism and one church.

Fellowship with other believers is extremely important both for our individual and collective spiritual growth. That is what changes an assembly or a congregation into a church. The one reason we emphasize on being an active member of a local church is that you will have fellowship with them. You will have people who could pray for you and hold you accountable. Church is more than a service; it is a living organism. It is a body whose head is Christ Himself. And as long as all the parts of the body are connected to the head, they will work in perfect unison with each other.

As we read in today’s epistle, the first century church used to meet up every day and partake of in the Lord’s Supper to signify their fellowship and union with Christ and with each other. This might not be practicable today, but it is an essential commandment by Jesus at the last supper, that we observe the Lord’s Table in His remembrance! Moreover, the term “one another” which points to unity and togetherness is mentioned 54 times in the New Testament which goes on to teach and encourage us on how to have a healthy relationship with one another. Let me just mention a few of them here:

 LOVE ONE ANOTHER

Personally, I think this is most difficult of all the commandments. Because at times, we find some people whom we don’t really connect with. They don’t think like we do, they don’t talk like we do, their interests and ours don’t match either. How do we ever love such a person? Interestingly Jesus raised the standard of love with His life. In the Old Testament, the standard of love was “Love your neighbour as yourself” Leviticus 19:18. In the New Testament, Jesus said, “Love one another as I have loved you” John 15:12. This does seem difficult and often impossible with all the diverse and different people out there in the church! But it surely is possible to do the same as long as we abide in Him who is Love. John 15:9.

SERVE ONE ANOTHER

Love is not only a matter of your words or feelings but is best expressed in your service to one another. The early church literally sold their inherited and hard earned property and belongings to be able to serve the less fortunate ones within the church. Today we all love to give for charity and to ministries, however often neglect that brother in the church who cannot afford his children’s education in a good school or that sister who doesn’t have enough funds for her marriage. I challenge you to go out of your way to serve someone in your church who really needs it. It doesn’t matter if the person reciprocates the kindness or not, can you be kind to them and serve them just as Jesus commanded us to do in John 13:14.

EDIFY ONE ANOTHER

Most of us are experts in dispensing advice and supposedly ministerial content at one another but how often do we really uplift a brother or a sister who is struggling in his or her walk with God? How often is your speech gracious and seasoned with salt as God expects from us? (Colossians 4:6) How often do we really take time to pray for a person whom we are so quick to correct and advice on various matters? If you are really concerned about your brother’s and sister’s spirituality, cry out to God for them before you can approach them or correct them.

Will you take efforts to genuinely edify a brother and a sister today? Will you push him or her to see and enter their God given destiny? Indeed, there is great gain when true believers come together in fellowship.

May God help us in the power of the Holy Spirit to love, serve and edify one another in the true fellowship of believers to God’s praise and glory. Amen