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NASB | Acts 2:42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 2:42 They were continually and faithfully devoting themselves to the instruction of the apostles, and to fellowship, to eating meals together and to prayers. |
Subject: One Pastor and one assembly? |
Bible Note: Hank, As usual, you are very insightful...and this time very funny (the IHOP example,ha ha). I love reading your posts (even when you are not responding to mine). Yes the apostolic churches were stable because there were only a few Christians per city. And even at that, they went from house to house (Church-hopping). Where I live, there is almost a church on every corner, with more on the way. So my "flitting" could be compared to the early church going from house to house, couldn't it? Many people are aspiring to be like the "TV mega-million dollar preachers". I am not planning to church-hop forever. But, until I feel the Lord is "calling" me to settle in one place, I will be visiting different assemblies. As to your questions...I can support the work, worship, and mission of each assembly I visit with my presence, my talents, and finances. Just this past Wednesday, the assembly I visited allowed members of the congregation to contribute to the bible study. After the service, people thanked me for my contributions. Do fellowship and friendship have to only be with believers where you assemble twice a week? Can it be with Christians on your job or in your neighborhood, etc.? They are the church too! I think sometimes we get too hung up on calling the buildings the "church". How much time does the average Christian spend with other believers where they assemble? Most of the people at a local assemble go in, leave out, and never see each other until the next meeting time. What do you mean when you say "having no church roots"? I (we) are the church. My roots are as deep as I desire to apprehend that (Jesus) for which I was apprehended...or for me to say "for me to live is Christ"...or to study to show myself approved...or to be a light to this dark, crooked, perverse generation. Concerning your analogy about the workplace, I know someone who is a very effective consultant...travels all over the USA. How effective are the "pew warmers" at most local assemblies? I think someone said only 20 percent of the people do the "work" at houses of worship. Do you believe that fellowship and friendship are priorities , or fringe benefits of the church life? Don't we mainly go to worship God corporately and to be edified by the Word? What did Jesus mean when He said to the Samarian woman that the time was coming when people would not worship in this mountain or in Jerusalem, but true worshippers would worship in Spirit and truth? What did Stephen mean when he said God does not dwell in temples made with hands? Thanks again for your answer, and agree with me in prayer that God will quickly intervene and direct my path so that His perfect will be done concerning this matter. Bereaniam |