Sunday, September 20, 2009
First bible study, first church appearance for me
Okay so I did it, first blog ever, honestly it was so easy a monkey could have randomly done it (bad evolution joke I know). Anyway, I have been to the first of many small bible studies, studying the book of John, with a friend from work, Brent, and I have to say that I was pleasently surprised. Troy, was pretty articulate and easy to follow, he seemed to have a good knowledge of the word, as well as a open and giving personality. I forsee this to be good for me. I also went to church today and again was taken back by how welcome and comfortable I felt. The bible study before the sermon was informative and they asked some very tough questions of us and confonted very good issues. Right up my alley, all good things. The pastor was good and the whole church gave me the feeling of the Nazerene, sp? So it felt very comfortable and familiar. Other than that I would say my alcohol struggles are not over but are certainly curbed. Which has lent more time to Christ. Everyday is a battle but I'm beginning to realize the key to most of this life with Christ, besides your faith in Him, is fellowship with other believers. Surround yourself with like minds, and let God do the rest. As complicated as I'm sure I have made my life, there really isnt too much to figure out when you finnaly let go and really understand that this is God's plan not yours. Obviously much harder to do then say or type in this case.
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Well, I wrote a long comment, only to lose it trying to figure out the "Select profile" thing. What a bummer! I'll have to take another run at it later. Sorry. But this is a great start. I'll be praying for you, as always.
ReplyDelete"They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Acts 2:42
ReplyDeleteThis is the earliest description of the activities of the earliest church. Although it's not a prescription, but a description, we can be sure that under the watchful eye of Peter and the other apostles, it contains the most important elements of an assembly (which is what the word church actually means in Greek). It looks like you are becoming established in at least the first two of these. I'm sure you'll find the other two present in your new church as well.
Notice a couple of words. First notice "continually". This wasn't a flash in the pan. They did it continually and regualarly. We have traditionally taken "continually" to mean on Sundays, but I'm not sure it was so retricted. Continuance in the Christian life is a subject that the NT mentions often, and not in the context of Sundays.
Next notice "devoted". This wasn't a haphazard affair. They devoted themselves to these things. They were committed. These weren't just rituals that were added to their already busy lives, these were the things their lives revolved around.
Next come the four elements that they were continually devoting themselves to: the apostles teaching, fellowship, breaking bread and prayer.
Back then the apostles' teaching was not the New Testament, since none of the books of the NT had been written yet. But we believe, with good reason, that the NT contains the apostles' teaching. Today this element is fulfilled by personal and collective Bible study, sermons and other forms of teaching.
Fellowship is a big word and not easily defined. Suffice it to say that they spent time together. Verses 44-47 describes this fellowship.
Concerning the breaking of bread, it's not clear whether it refers to taking meals together or to the Lord's supper. Traditionally we have chosen the latter, but I'm not sure. I'm not sure there should be a difference. When Christians take a meal together, we should always be in rememberance of the Bread of Life and the blood of the covenant. Acts 2:46 seems to be saying that breaking bread together meant both.
Last, but not least, there's prayer. The passage is referring to praying together. This should be a big part of our coming together, not just a blessing over the food or a way to close our time together. It should be a big part of our time together.
I'm sorry for running on, but this is exciting stuff. If you've found a fellowship like this, then you are continuing the legacy of what the apostles began -- I should say what Jesus began through the apostles -- as the earliest and most essential expression of the assembly of the saints, the body of Christ. We should continually devote ourselves to these things!
Cool. So, we have a blog now? I was thinking based on Dad and my telephone conversation, that for now, if other people want to post things, then we could e-mail our content to Sky and he can post them for us. Unless changing the e-mail account to a common gmail is easy enough.
ReplyDeletePaul didn't know of a forum place that could work for multiple posters.
My question regarding the post and the comments is, what about not going to church?
Can fellowship be accomplished another way? I think it is hard to find a church that is welcoming and comfortable and not overly friendly. Usually when I go to church, I like to remain anonymous rather than be BFFs with the other people next to me. Does that mean I am missing something?
I don't like it when church's imply that you are not enough of a believer if you don't spend every waking moment in their different activities.
Man, this sounds cynical. Maybe it is a little, but I won't edit it because it's really what I think.
I knew we could count on you, Beans, to speak you mind and stir things up a little. Good stuff. And thank's for being candid!
ReplyDeleteLet's think about this a little. Back in the first century, they didn't "go to church". In today's vernacular, it might be more correct to say they hung out together. Okay, maybe a little more formal than that. But they met in one anothers houses and did the Acts 2:42 thing. But it's not an option to not hang out together in the sense of Acts 2:42. Scriptures later, if necessary. This is a body after all. And how else could we minister to one another?
As far as format, and even schedule, there are no rules, only traditions. Sky had a few good words about traditions on the phone last week. Maybe he'll share.
I agree with you Jill, I definately want to stay in the backround and just focus on whats really important, my relationship with Christ. Listening to the message and trying to figure out what directly relates to me and what Christ is specifically trying to tell me. However I was complelled last week to speak my mind and make myself known. Im not sure why, it just happened and I didnt feel out of place.
ReplyDeleteAs for traditions, one of the topics I felt compelled to contribute to, they seem to be a shelter for the guilty. They feel that just going relives them of the responsibility of they're actions over the week. If people go to church for traditions sake they are disabling the real power of actually going there to be moved, influenced and recharged with the spirit. I think that only happens when I surround myself with other christians and suddenly I dont feel apprehensive about my relationship with Christ and the door to my heart and soul is wide open. I think thats why I get so emotional at church because suddenly there is no barrier between me and Christ, its a direct line. Its incredible and I know if I can get out of my own way then Christ can really get to work.
I think Dads last paragraph really nails it Jill, there are no rules when it comes to fellowship with Christ as often as you want and in many different formats, how liberating. Throw tradition to the wind and let go of your cynicism. Traditions became traditions because they dont change, and often lack of change leads to complacency. Complacency kills, as my drill instructor used to say all time.
Man, I just posted something great, but got cut off. I'll have to attempt again later.
ReplyDeleteI've gotten in the habit of doing a ctrl+a and then a ctrl+c every so often so I don't lose my work.
ReplyDelete