I have to say that the
reports I've been hearing around the brotherhood are a little disturbing. Not only are
congregations going soft on doctrine, but the brethren aren't fellowshipping with one
another. Since our plea is to restore the New Testament church (and it is a valid plea),
then we ought to be concerned with restoring the type and degree of fellowship that
Christians enjoyed in the Bible. Acts 2 says the church was meeting every day in the
temple and they broke bread in their homes and ate together. For heavens sake, why are we
lacking this today? Why are we satisfied to greet one another on Sunday morning, have the
communion, give and sing, say good-bye and not say another word to those brothers until
the following Wednesday, or maybe even Sunday?
A dear sister moved away from our
congregation a few months ago and she now misses the fellowship and closeness she
experienced here. The small congregation she now faithfully attends does not reach out to
her. No one invites her into their home (her husband is not a Christian), because they
seem to be satisfied with the relationships they have long ago established. Has the
traditional Wednesday study become a barrier to more fellowship?
By experience I've learned that
spiritual growth doesn't occur in a large impersonal Bible class. Jesus did his best work
with a few disciples at a time. I personally started growing when a preacher met with me
once a week. We talked about the Bible and about life in general. But the preacher can't
do it all. All the Christians need to be setting aside specific times to visit with other
Christians, to pray and study with them. The strong Christian could and should develop a
relationship with the new or weak Christian. Get together once a week for lunch, dinner,
etc, and then study the Bible. Study the basics so they begin to grow on the milk and meat
of the word (1 Cor. 3:1,2).
Who made Sunday and Wednesday the only
days that Christians gather together for Bible study or fellowship meals? Is it any wonder
why Elders aren't visiting with and studying with the weak Christians to see them grow
strong? Is it any wonder why preachers and Elders aren't rebuking the erring brother? Is
it any wonder why all the preaching and teaching has to be "positive?" It all
goes back to fellowship. We aren't getting to know each other. We aren't spending quality
and quantity time together. The erring brother and the weak sister slips through the
"crack" and no one notices. When the brother has been missing for a month, a few
notice, but the opportunity to rescue has passed. What are you doing this Friday or
Saturday night that is more important than fellowshipping with a Christian?
Getting back to the New Testament
example of fellowship is just as important as restoring the worship pattern and plan of
salvation. The early Christians spent time together, not just at the
"designated" times. ~ Dan Mayfield