Wednesday: Bible Study and Fellowship
Read Acts 2:42. What were some of the elements of early Christian worship?
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship” (Acts 2:42, NKJV). From the earliest moments of the church, worship has been characterized by the centrality of the study of the Word of God given to us by the apostles. The first Christians were faithful in studying the Scriptures for what it said about Jesus the Messiah. They were in constant fellowship to share with one another the blessings God had given them and to encourage each other in their spiritual walk with God. In the Word they mined the sacred truths that became the foundation of their message to the world.
What What do the following passages say about the importance of studying God’s Word in fellowship with other believers?
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
“Wherever the truths of the Gospel are proclaimed, those who honestly desire to do right are led to a diligent searching of the Scriptures. If, in the closing scenes of this earth’s history, those to whom testing truths are proclaimed would follow the example of the Bereans, searching the Scriptures daily, and comparing with God’s word the messages brought them, there would today be a large number loyal to the precepts of God’s law, where now there are comparatively few.” – Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 232.
We are a united people because of the truths that we proclaim, truths that we find from the Word of God. This was true of God’s church in the early days, and it is true of it today. The study of God’s Word forms the core of both our worship to God and our unity as a people who have been called to proclaim the three angels’ messages to the world. When we come together as a family to fellowship and worship, the Scriptures speak to us words from God to guide our lives in preparation for our mission and for Jesus’ second coming.
| How firmly grounded are you, from the Bible, in what we believe? That is, are you grounded enough in it to where you could, like the three Hebrew boys, stand firm in the face of death? |
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The importance of the community of believers cannot be understated. It is essential that we interact together in a social context. I hear all too often of folk who stop attending church because of some disagreement. When we isolate ourselves from other believers we remove one of the key communication channels between God and us.
The early church functioned to a large extent without church buildings as we know them. The emphasis was on the church as the community of believers. Even in my youth, the church functioned as a social group. That aspect of church life has diminished somewhat today and we have tended to be more individualistic and consequently isolated from one another. What can we do to reverse the trend?
This is true! God Bless you sir!
What are the benefits of conducting Bible study in our churches today?
Compare this:
"The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the; Inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men; Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children; And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious; Anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers; And you will know; My name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee"
To
"And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them."
One of these is the correct scripture from Ezekiel 25:17; while the other is a fictional movie adaption. Surprisingly, the one that may look most genuine is really fake. The fact that both look so scripture-like can lead to confusion, and can be used to mislead the masses. "God helps those who help themselves" or "Cleanliness is next to Godliness"; these are also commonly believed to be scriptural references that really are not. Some Christian followers have used some of these verses to elaborate scriptural messaging without knowing these are truly not in the Bible.
From another stand point, Bible verses have been presented out of context to support or defend many "believers" ; who wish to defend their positions or had not taken time to understand the context or meaning. In fact, this is a very common problem with scripture references.
Many are not studying scripture which puts them at risk.
Psalms 91:11-12 reads "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
The devil used this exact scripture to tempt Christ in the wilderness (Matthew 4:6), however Jesus had a quick scriptural response to counter his evil intention. He overcame the devil's temptation.
This should clearly show us what we are up against. The enemy himself knows how to twist biblical scripture into tools of temptation.
Scriptural study is part and parcel of a Christian life. The Berean did exactly this, they listened to preachers but compared to scripture: testing the accuracy.
Now, I know we might be asking ourselves what this has to do with "Unity in Worship"; but this has everything to do with worship. The church has divided many times because of misunderstood scripture and scripture taken off context. Adventist over the years have watched offshoots coming out of the church basing their conviction on scripture. Misunderstood or misdirected scripture is the foundation of the change of the day of rest to this commonly adopted Sunday. The reformers studied the scripture to understand what was wrong with the papal-led beliefs, and broke away from it.
Study of scripture is really a fundamental for real Christian living and is a foundation for worship too.
However, without calling on the guidance of the Holy Spirit we could find ourselves using our own understanding to interpret the scripture. Scripture is a great tool for correction (2 Timothy 3:16-17) but there is a danger of using it out of context and there are many warnings for us against this in scripture (2 Timothy 2:14-19). Using scripture wrongly will affect our worship of the true God and God shall hold us accountable (Ezekiel 33:6).
True Worship requires us to bring all Nations together, Bible Study and Fellowship should lead us to this.
I wish that when I took my 3 children to the SDA church I went to as a child that they showed more Christian love to my children. Unfortunately, my parents were dirt poor and we not embraced as important new members of this church (only SDA church in area at the time). Majority of the congregation soon realized that my dad was a chronic alcoholic, physical and sexual abuser of his wife and children. Only one new church member stepped forward on my behalf and put an end to it legally. My 47 year old daughter is fighting breast cancer since earlier this year. I ask for prayer for her. I asked her yesterday to go to an SDA church I just found yesterday listed on this site (my children know I recently returned to Sabbath worship).
Her words were "never again will I visit an SDA church". The scars of how my children were received in this one church as children are blocking. My scars are still there too but I am a firm believer in the Sabbath because of my mom and this one strong SDA Christian. Her name is Mrs. Polite and she still keeps tabs on me today (I was around 14 when I met her, I am now 69). Please, please keep my daughter Toynettia in prayer. My children are firm believers in God, just worship on Sunday.
Emma, I will be lifting you and your children in prayer daily!
Thank you to all who are keeping my family in prayer.
Yes Emma! My prayers will be with you tonight! God give you strength
Some of us Christians may not have grown up in a home that
saw little or understood no purpose for doing anything with a Bible. I was over 50 years old when my heart and soul proclaimed Jesus as The Creator and my Savior. Since then I've studied and have experienced numerous settings with Christians representing dozens of denominations. There seems to be a strong expectation that any Christian should know certain songs, certain Biblical prayers, certain quotes, certain formats or protocols, etc. You get the picture.
I've regularly attended Sabbath School, Vespers, fellowship meals, Bible study sessions, visited the sick and shut-ins, fed the homeless, aided the saints in various chores and services and it seems I (too frequently sometimes) hear the words, "Wow, you didn't know that?" or, "Even the kids know that!" This lesson had me wondering how many of us become stumbling blocks of impatience with especially the learning of any age. {Remember how the "darkness" used to make us uncomfortable?} By the way, these aforementioned experiences were never attended by many Church members who weekly greet me with open arms, tell me they love me and smile so beautifully. Very few show up when it is not worship service. We need to be encouraging each other more, especially them who are new. Hey the Word said it first, not me. Hebrew 10:25
There can be no accurate estimation of how important the word of God is to every soul who desires the Salvation of the Lord. The water of Life, the Bread from Heaven, the yoke of Jesus, the flesh and blood of Christ, etc, are all symbols of God's Word/Law. In this Holy Word the will of God is revealed in Christ, and the means of our pardon and sanctification according to the Truth. Without this word hid in our heart, we will sin against God. True fellowship will be centered and based on this Word of Truth. (see Acts 20:32) All who live by every word that proceeds from God will find the path to true prosperity and peace, which cannot be found in the world.