Christian friends are important. The basis of Christian friendship is our fellowship with our Father and His Son Jesus Christ. (1John 1:3) Hebrews 10:25 talks about the importance of Christians collectively meeting together, and it’s obvious from that verse – some Christians had sadly withdrawn from regularly meeting with fellow-Christians.
The Bible teaches the importance of local church fellowships, made up of people who have been saved and baptized.
At some point in the future, you can study different aspects of ‘church’ teaching in the New Testament. Jesus told His disciples He was building His church. (Matthew 16:18) The Church which He is building commenced at Pentecost (Acts 2, 1Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 1:22-23). Obviously, the Christians back then are not attending a local church in your town today. They’ve been in Heaven for a long time; but yet, they are still a part of the Church which Christ is building – the Church which is His body. The moment you trusted Christ, you were added to that very same Church. Every Christian down through the ages – is in that Church.
But the reality is, you cannot fellowship and pray and serve and participate in the weekly Lord’s Supper with Christians from other centuries. Nor can you meet regularly with Christians all over the world. As you read your Bible, you will see that the Apostle Paul wrote to Christians in different cities like Ephesus, Philippi and Corinth, who regularly met together as a local community of believers. The Apostle John also wrote about seven distinct local churches or assemblies in Revelation 2-3.
In that first century or two after Christ’s ascension, Christians held their services in a home. Later, designated buildings were used for their gatherings. The people were always considered to be the ‘church’ – not the building itself. But over the centuries, people started calling the buildings where Christians met – churches or other names.
Under normal circumstances, the Lord intends for you to fellowship locally with Christians. In fact, it is critical if you desire to obey and grow in Christ. One email on this subject is grossly inadequate when it comes to all the New Testament teaches about the Biblical features of a local church.
The very first local church in Jerusalem gives us a few insights as to some features. Acts 2:41-42 says the newly saved Christians were baptized and became members of that local city church. The doctrine taught by the apostles was embraced and practiced. They fellowshipped together. They participated in the weekly Lord’s Supper – the Breaking of Bread. They met together to pray.
When you are praying for the Lord to guide you to a local community of believers to fellowship with, make sure you’re also carefully reading your Bible – especially the epistles written to actual local churches. The letters written to people like Titus and Timothy are also insightful, as they were working with local churches in their growth and outreach.
It’s very important for your own growth and fruitfulness for the Lord – that you belong to a Biblical New Testament local church. As you know, there are many churches in most towns. Some of them have great programs, great music, great entertainment and great speakers. But in a New Testament church – you are not to be merely an observer or an applauder. You are to be a participant and one who serves – a place where your own gift is developed. Prayerfully look for one that most closely measures up to the practices and the pattern that emerges as you read the New Testament.
For example:
- Do they practice the weekly Lord’s Supper with the bread that symbolizes the Body of Christ and the wine that speaks of His precious blood? (1Corinthians 11:23-26, Acts 20:6-7)
- Is Christ and His exaltation the overarching focus of the group?
- Does the congregation love to sing together and pray together, and is there unity and loving support for each other?
- Are there elders who lead and teach, or is it run basically by a pastor or a minister? Hebrews 13:7,17
- Do Christian brothers publicly pray and share thoughts from the Bible?
- Is there solid Bible teaching?
- Is there an obvious love for the good news of Christ as the Saviour of Sinners and is the preaching of the Gospel in your community a major focus? (1Thessalonians 1:8) Sometimes the Gospel happens to be mentioned in a sermon mostly intended for believers. That’s good. But an even better practice is when there are services dedicated specifically for the preaching of the Gospel.
- Are the symbols of headship as found in 1Corinthians 11:1-16 visible?
- Are good works and a good name in the community important?
By no means do the questions above provide a complete list. This email merely gives you a hint of what to look for. Often the person who first shared the Gospel with you will have your best interests at heart. What are they telling you? Ultimately, where is the Lord directing you as you read His Word?
One thing for sure – the Lord wants you to be a member of a Biblical local church where Christians gather to the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and give Him the preeminence. (Matthew 18:20)
Assignment for today:
- It seems – the Biblical process is salvation and baptism – after which, the Lord wants you to join a local company of believers. But first things first: have you been baptized?
- Think about the privilege of participating in the Lord’s Supper. Some may call it ‘communion’ or the Breaking of Bread. Read: Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20; 1Corinthians 11:23-26
- Look up in your own Bible the verses mentioned above.
