I am very passionate about this subject because it has been the story of the Finepearls ministry. I find it disturbing every time I visit a group of believers that love the Lord, pray and worship together and that’s all—everyone goes home until the next meeting! This is very disconnected from what was portrayed by the church in Acts. Acts 2:42 – 47 mentions some things that we need to focus our attention on.

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

From the above portion of scripture, we see the believers devoting themselves to the apostles teaching (studying of God’s word), fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer. These were the core things. Miracles were also performed! And the believers were together and had all in common. All this clearly points out that oneness, sticking together and sharing life together were very critical disciplines of the early church.

We can’t deny this! But I have come across many people that rubbish this. It is also interesting to notice that these are the very same people who crave to be understood! Their craving, however, points to how God designed us. God created us to be relational beings. Have you ever wondered why being locked up in prison is considered a punishment?! Prison isolates you from community and starves you of fellowship! How many people in church today feel this way?

A church should be a place where believers connect heart to heart, share their lives together and in this way grow together into the perfect image of Christ. We are stronger this way and this was the secret of the early church. There is a desire—deep within us—to belong and be apart of a community that shares the same interests, this is why people end up in gangs and abusive relationships just to feel that attachment and be apart of something.

Work at being a fellowship, not a group! A Christian fellowship has all in common, connects heart to heart and works towards a common goal to grow into the perfect image of Christ Jesus together.

Martin, Team leader Finepearls