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Acts 2:41- 47. 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
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Acts 2:41-47 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. Acts 2:41-47
44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. Acts 2:41-47
Acts 2:41-47 They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
From House To House& Heart To Heart Larry Cline – Hardin Valley Church Of Christ – 4/12/15
God never intended for us tobe isolated Christians As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming.(Ephesians 4:14)
Look at God’s description of this new community- Acts 2:42-47 42They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.
46Day 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, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
…what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. (I John 1:3)
6If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. (I John 1:6-7)
We are telling you these things so that you can be a part of the community that knows Jesus.
THEY DEVOTED THEMSELVES… …to the fellowship.
“Koinonia” rendered in English translations as: • “Partnership” • “Communion” • “Fellowship” • “Participation” • “Sharing”
The spiritual reality of a connection between believers based on their connection to Christ.
We can get a picture of “Fellowship” by watching the early Christians • They were witnesses together of God’s wonders (v43) • They shared their material possessions (v44-45) • They worshipped together (v46-47) • They shared their lives (v46b)
Why do we need FELLOWSHIP? “You can be a Christian without going to church can’t you?” 20But now there are many members, but one body. 21And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” (I Corinthians 12:20-21)
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 9Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. 10For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion.
But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. 11Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? 12And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.
“Snowflakes are frail, but if enough of them get together they can stop traffic.”
HOW DOES FELLOWSHIP FORM US? As iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
How does Fellowship form us? • Increased intensity and passion to pray, through our elders. • Openness to the Holy Spirit, through Mark Luck. • Love for those in need, through Rhonda Moss & Connie Cannon.
Perseverance, through the Cuckseys. • Humility, through Paul Haubenreich. • Love and hospitality, through the Whites, Dentons, Brooks, Arritts. • Attitude of excellence, through Roger Phillips, Tim Royster, Phil Butler.
A great love for family, God’s Word, and bringing the two together through my small group.
How do we get there? Go Big… Become a part of His body. (Romans 6:3-4)
Go Small… Join a “2:42 Group”… Get Connected!