This We Know
Fellowship of His Son…1 Corinthians 1:9
Paul did not help establish the church at Corinth until his second missionary journey prior to going to Ephesus. He visited these churches on his third missionary trip. For this reason, Paul encouraged the Corinthians to enjoy the grace and peace of God through the Lord Jesus Christ, verse 3.
It is not likely Saul was with the church in Jerusalem in its earliest days. He was too busy persecuting the church. So, he would not have been with them when they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers, Acts 2:42. Because of fear, verse 43, this became their habit. To break bread together, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved, Acts 2:46-47.
What a partnership! Believers enjoyed grace, peace, fellowship, and God added to their number each day. Could this work today?
Apparently, we think so. Because we practice the same fellowship today. We gather in houses to break bread, to study God’s word, and pray. This causes home groups to grow; sometimes, beyond the home they meet in. This also causes the church family to grow.
It is home groups that meet the needs of the church. 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, Acts 2:44-45. This selling of everything is not necessary today. Most of us do not have to sell anything to help someone in need. But the sentiment is there; if necessary, we would. That is how the church functions. We are a family.
When the family of God meets, things happen. True then and true today. Consider, Acts 2:43. Perhaps the fear wasn’t within the church but without. Perhaps the fear in every soul was the people who witnessed the signs and wonders of the apostles. Maybe the church did not cower in fear, but to praise God having favor with all the people, verse 47. For we know God is faithful, by whom you (we) were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, 1 Corinthians 1:9.
