“And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:40-47 (New King James Version)

Encouraging Fellowship

These verses give us great insight into several key experiences that took place in life of the first century church. First we find that they respond to Peter’s call to be saved “from this perverse generation” and nearly three thousand feel the tug of the Holy Spirit and respond to a life surrendered to Jesus Christ.

What is exciting for the group that Peter was preaching to is that the power of the Holy Spirit lovingly tugged at their hearts and brought conviction to their minds which led to a willful decision to forsake sin and follow Christ.

Sin separates us from the most encouraging fellowship of all — that is fellowship with God. However, we can know that fellowship just as the early believers did once we choose to yield to the tugging of the Holy Spirit. Notice that these early believers entered into encouraging fellowship with other believers. Successful development of the first century church hinged on these new believers becoming what Scripture calls, “the Body of Christ.” They met together “continuing in the apostles’ teachings, breaking bread, and prayers.”

One might ask, “Is all fellowship encouraging?” No! When we are fellowshipping with the wrong crowd, we are in damaging fellowship.  Encouraging fellowship is only possible when the people with whom you are fellowshipping align themselves with God’s proclamations over your life. Accept only what God says about you, and the words of those who align themselves with His proclamations over your life!  If you allow other people to define who you are, they’ll limit you.  They’ll define you in a way that is less than what God has for you.  They’ll define you as less successful than God wants you to be.  They’ll define you as less blessed, less intelligent, less effective, and less spiritual than God wants you to be. If you allow them to define you and limit you, you truly will be limited! You will not press forward into fullness of what God says you can be. It is critical to know who you are in Christ and fellowship with those who see what God sees in you.

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Copyright (C) 2008.  Sam Farina.  All rights reserved.