The First Fellowship of Believers

Introduction

Last week, we reflected on what the Lord commanded us to do in remembrance of Him, to renew our communion with Him, holding fast to the hope of His soon return. Today, as we continue exploring the life of the first church, we turn our attention to what we, as His Church, are truly called to be: A united body, bound together in love, sharing in each other’s lives. This is the heart of true fellowship, Christ in our midst, not only as the One we worship, but as the One who unites us, shapes us, and lives through us.

When we were saved by the grace of God, we experienced a complete change in our way of life. We changed identity, way of living, way of interacting with people, and especially with those who are now part of our true family, our brothers and sisters redeemed by the blood of Christ.

If we are conscious of this, how should we now behave toward our brothers and sisters? 

As co-heirs with Christ, we must act so that His body functions well, alive and healthy, both physically and spiritually, testifying to our identity in the world, bringing light and salt to the earth, and above all, glorifying God.

« So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls »

When we are convinced of the truth, we leave our past behind us and completely surrender our lives into the arms of the heavenly Father. For this newness of life, this new covenant, to be visible and complete, those who have believed have been baptized for the forgiveness of their sins, and thus are raised with Christ.

Jesus Christ was sent so that union with the Father would no longer be through a sacrificial and temporary covenant, the law, which offered forgiveness in a limited way and only on earth. 

But for the one who puts his faith in Jesus Christ is eternally forgiven and can draw near to the Father through the sacrificial work of the Cross, which forgives our past, present, and future sins, brings us into newness of life, and leads us into the Kingdom of Heaven for eternity.

This eternal union, this miraculous change, brings us into a new life. We are born again and must begin a new journey, like newborns learning to live. The one born of the Spirit no longer lives only for personal needs, but also for the needs of brothers and sisters in God’s work. We move from an individualistic life to the life of a collective Kingdom, from our own will to the will of the Father, always what is best for us.

So, what concrete steps do God’s children long to take right after believing and surrendering their lives to Jesus Christ?

« They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching »

First, they devoted themselves to the teaching of the Apostles. The Apostles were called to teach what Jesus had entrusted to them, not out of personal desire or need, but in faithful obedience to what their Master had commanded them to do as disciples and servants. 

They taught love for one another and bore witness to the Father’s love through the work of redemption accomplished on the Cross by Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of sins and for eternal life, reaching to the ends of the earth. This is also the calling of pastors and overseers: to continue the same model until the end of the age.

« to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer »

The term "fellowship" (in Greek: koinonia) is one of the most important words in the New Testament. It implies a deep, communal bond among believers, characterized by mutual support, sharing, and unity. 

Simply taking part in church activities, going somewhere together, or sharing a meal does not, in itself signifies that we are having a true fellowship. That is only spending time together, without having something in common that engages each person in the same central interest. 

Such things have no power to transform or sanctify; the Holy Spirit cannot truly work if we only give Him two hours of our time together.

Spending a little time together is good, it is a good starting point, but this is not the essence of fellowship from a biblical perspective, of what the Body of Christ is called to live and to do. Being united and sharing is not something defined by a schedule, as the world teaches us, but something without limit, as the Word of God teaches us. 

This is one of the major issues weakening church fellowship: many ‘participants’ take but do not give, attend services but avoid one another during the week, fearing hurt, or the exposure of their weaknesses and sins.

If this vital need to grow together, sharing both joys and sorrows, is not truly in our hearts, then we must ask the Lord to send His Spirit to fill us with greater love, so that we may love our brothers and sisters as He loves them, and see them through the eyes of Jesus.

«The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received

a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the

multifaceted grace of God.» 1 P 4:7-10

It is true that the Spirit can only work in us if we give Him the opportunity, allowing Him to transform and comfort us. Giving our time as one body is a blessing for everyone, and especially for each individual, if we first set our hearts on seeking the Kingdom of God. In this way, we will be able to overcome our inner conflicts, helping each other with the gifts that the Lord has given us.

The Word of God calls us to exhort one another, to grow in faith, and to let go of what must be changed. Yet the enemy seeks to keep us bound, hiding in our condition, so that we never expose what hinders true fellowship. When we live in isolation, carrying our struggles alone, we cut ourselves off from His light.

We will grow stronger, shine brighter, and reflect Christ more fully, and through such true fellowship, these liberations will lead us to glorify God.

The breaking of bread and prayer are two strong symbols of true fellowship. The breaking of bread reminds us of what Christ has done for us on the Cross, that we are saved, raised with Him, and that we rejoice in His soon return. 

But it also points to giving of our “necessities” to others, not just our excess, but what we truly need for life: the food that nourishes the physical body, so that the whole body of Christ may eat together and each one may take responsibility for our dear brothers and sisters.

Spiritual food is just as important. Personal prayer is good and should be practiced without measure, but corporate prayer brings us together and builds it up. It exposes all our weaknesses and inner conflicts, and the Holy Spirit powerfully heals our hidden wounds, together, so that we may be sanctified, grow in faith, and be more mature in the Lord.

So, how can we truly be this loving Body, and building one another up in unity?

Unity in the Body of Christ 

The union is established, for if we are united with Christ, we now have a new identity. Like a young married couple, we have taken on a new name: we are called Ambassadors of Christ, Disciples of Christ.

However, this union must be lived out daily, with a focus not on our own individual will, but by taking into consideration the views and opinions of others, so that we may truly become one flesh. 

This same principle applies to the future Bride of Christ, The Church, together with our “Bridegroom,” with whom we are engaged for eternity.

The principle of unity in the Church embraces diversity, calling for love, active participation of all believers in the common life, and engagement in every aspect of one another’s lives.

The Apostle Paul is exhorting the believers to « being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. » Ephesians 4:3-6

While diversity may bring challenges, misunderstandings, tensions, and even conflict, it also provides great opportunities for growth and mutual edification. 

We are called to welcome this diversity, for it produces complementarity and reflects the creativity and wisdom of God. As we live and serve together, we build up the body in love, in truth, and in the work God has entrusted to us.

Unity in diversity is not optional; it is a biblical mandate that mirrors the very nature of God’s kingdom. It calls us to embrace our differences, yet remain steadfast in the unity of the faith, so that together we may grow into the fullness of Christ’s stature.

Despite diversity, we are called to the unity of the Gospel with a clear purpose.  When Jesus prayed to the Father for this unity among His disciples: « that they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may» John 17:21

It recalls that this divine unity is desired by the Lord, and His greatest desire is that we be united in all things in Him, and He in us, above all that we love one another. This is the living proof that we belong to Him, and the testimony to the world of the truth of the Gospel and the love of God.

«Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles »

The sense of awe, sometimes translated as the fear of the Lord, refers here to the highest reverential respect a human being can experience. It is a state of deep glorification and recognition, which fills one with joy, because it comes from the awareness of being in the presence of Someone infinitely greater than oneself in majesty, power, and holiness.

Awe, or the fear of the Lord, is the foundation of true knowledge. In the Bible, this knowledge is not merely intellectual, but also moral and spiritual. It comes from God, the source of all wisdom.

« And all the believers were together and had all things in common; and they would sell their property and possessions and share them with all, to the extent that anyone had need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. »

There is a very small word that appears frequently in this passage: “And,” as if to tell the readers that this is a comprehensive list of things that are the true mark of fellowship, which does not separate one from another. 

The passage does not say “Or,” but “And,” which implies an addition, a sum of things that together create a whole; this whole is true fellowship.

They believed in a shared place; they had everything in common, their possessions, their harvests, their goods, their spiritual moments. They visited one another to share bread, all in order to be in the same condition of joy and love toward each other, in simplicity, despite persecution or adversity, their only purpose was the expansion of the Kingdom of God.

We do not need much to be in biblical fellowship; we just need to understand that we are one body, with different members, with different needs and expectations, but that each member, properly joined, walks in cohesion and in love for one another. By this, the world will witness our mutual love, and God will be glorified.

« And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved »

In his preaching, the Apostle Peter does not forget why he was commissioned by Jesus and sent by the Holy Spirit: to bring souls to salvation in the name of Jesus Christ, so that they may be forgiven and receive eternal life.

Adding souls to the Church also involves helping new believers grow together, so that we may all be united in love and joy, bearing witness and continuing to fulfill God’s purpose in their lives.

So then, what are the main reasons why fellowship can become an obstacle in our lives?

A man of God called James Packer mentions in his book God’s Words four obstacles that prevent sincere and authentic fellowship.

Self-sufficiency: This is the state of being detached or feeling no need to depend on others. Its consequences often relate to spiritual death, affecting those who have not been born again by the Spirit. 

It leads to a complete misunderstanding of God’s Word and the way the church functions in general. Self-sufficiency can also appear in long-time Christians who develop pride and refuse to confront their spiritual passivity: “Alone, I am better; Jesus loves me and knows me.”

Formalism: This is the tendency to think that fellowship is limited to a religious location. These brethren avoid intimate relationships with brothers and sisters to protect themselves from the look of others, thus giving the enemy reason to make them believe that this is who they are and that they will never change. The Church building at the center, but without true relationships. 

Bitterness: This arises from the sinful nature and shows itself as resentment, pride, a sense of injustice, jealousy, or betrayal. What blocks true fellowship is the refusal to confess sins, accept weaknesses, expose the enemy, and allow oneself to be helped by brothers and sisters without judgment, and in love.

Elitism: This is the feeling of being spiritually superior, which creates cliques and groups, excluding the weaker members. Elitism focuses on a few doctrines shared by the leader of the assembly, and thus true fellowship dies, as the enemy takes control of the ship, and one must flee before it sinks.

Conclusion

Finally, I will end with love. Without the desire to share our joys and sufferings with our brothers and sisters, we do not truly know God, for God is love, and if God dwells in us, His love is manifested wherever we are.

« Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us .» 1 John 4:11-12

Loving others should not be an effort, but the natural fruit of our relationship with God. If we struggle to love our brothers and sisters, we must ask ourselves the right questions before it is too late:

• Am I truly born again?

• Do I really know the Lord?

• Do I need help to follow Jesus?

• Do I allow sin to rule my life?

Let nothing obstruct or block our fellowship. The enemy wants to isolate and destroy us, but let us open sincerely our hearts to one another, let us follow Jesus Christ, who is the Solution, who has conquered death, His is the Light that brings us out of darkness.

«Since you have purified your souls in obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brothers and sisters, fervently love one another from the heart» 1 Peter 1:22