Christian Community
1) Are you living the apostles’ doctrine?
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42
“But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets,
that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore
and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of
refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send
Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive
until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by
the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:18-21
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And
the high priest asked them, saying, “Did we not strictly command you
not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with
your doctrine and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” But Peter
and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather
than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by
hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince
and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And
we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit
whom God has given to those who obey Him.” Acts 5:27-32
And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Then the
Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” So, Philip
ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you
understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless
someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.
The place in the Scripture which he read was this: “He was led as a
sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so
He opened not His mouth. In His humiliation His justice was taken away,
and who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the
earth.” So, the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom
does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” Then
Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached
Jesus to him. Acts 8:28-35
But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being
witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God,
through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there
is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of
God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is
in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood,
through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His
forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously
committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that
He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 3:21-26
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your
heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you
confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that
God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart
one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made
unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will
not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and
Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For
“whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” Romans 10:8-13
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not
with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no
effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are
perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it
is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and bring to nothing
the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the wise? Where is the
scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the
wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world
through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness
of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a
sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to
the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those
who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the
wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and
the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Corinthians 1:17-25
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He
loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together
with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together,
and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that
in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in
His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been
saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand
that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:4-10
For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to
pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of
His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk
worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good
work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all
might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and
longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified
us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He
has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the
kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His
blood, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created
that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things
were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and
in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church,
who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things
He may have the preeminence. Colossians 1:9-18
You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit
these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You
therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No
one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life,
that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also, if
anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes
according to the rules. The hardworking farmer must be first to partake
of the crops. Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you
understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of
David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I
suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the
word of God is not chained. Therefore, I endure all things for the sake
of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in
Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 2 Timothy 2:1-10
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood
of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through
the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house
of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies
washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope
without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider
one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the
assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but
exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day
approaching. Hebrews 10:19-25
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone
who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this
we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His
commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His
commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is
born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has
overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he
who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:1-5
2) Are you in fellowship during meals?
Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the
Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. And behold, a woman in the city
who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the
Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood
at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her
tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His
feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. Now when the Pharisee who
had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He
were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is
touching Him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answered and said to him,
“Simon, I have something to say to you.” So, he said, “Teacher, say
it.” “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five
hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with
which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which
of them will love him more?” Simon answered and said, “I suppose the
one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly
judged.” Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see
this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but
she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of
her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My
feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but
this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore, I say to
you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to
whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Then He said to her,
“Your sins are forgiven.” And those who sat at the table with Him began
to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Then He
said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” Luke 7:36-50
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and
gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then
He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink
from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is
shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not
drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink
it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:26-29
Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of
them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” But they were terrified and
frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them,
“Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold
My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a
spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” When He had
said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. But while they still
did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any
food here?” So, they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some
honeycomb. And He took it and ate in their presence. Luke 24:36-43
Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there,
and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the
fish which you have just caught.” Simon Peter went up and dragged the
net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and
although there were so many, the net was not broken. Jesus said to
them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask
Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then came and
took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish. John 21:9-13
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42
So, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread
from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity
of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the
Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:46-47
But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God,
and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great
earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and
immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were
loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the
prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and
was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying,
“Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” Then he called for a light,
ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought
them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So, they said,
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your
household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who
were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and
washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were
baptized. Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food
before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his
household. Acts 16:25-34
Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to
break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and
continued his message until midnight. Acts 20:7
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the
blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of
the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body;
for we all partake of that one bread. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17
For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that
the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread;
and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is
My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the
same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the
new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in
remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this
cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or
a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the
substance is of Christ. Colossians 2:16-17
“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took
their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were
wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps
and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with
their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered
and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is
coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed
their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your
oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No,
lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those
who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the
bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the
wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also,
saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly,
I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither
the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” Matthew 25:1-13
3) Are you in fellowship during prayer?
Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to
Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray,
lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the
flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:40-41
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42
Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know
what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes
intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who
searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He
makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans
8:26-27
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the
Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and
supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be
given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery
of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may
speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:17-20
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the
peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts
and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for
this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and
all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life
in all godliness and reverence. 1 Timothy 2:1-2
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let
him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders
of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in
the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and
the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be
forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one
another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a
righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours,
and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on
the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the
heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. James 5:13-18
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything
according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us,
whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked
of Him. 1 John 5:14-15
Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the
twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and
golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Revelation 5:8
Then another angel, having a golden censor, came and stood at the
altar. He was given much incense that he should offer it with the
prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the
throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints,
ascended before God from the angel’s hand. Revelation 8:3-4
4) Are you providing for the needs of people?
Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “I have compassion
on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days
and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry,
lest they faint on the way.” Then His disciples said to Him, “Where
could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great
multitude?” Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they
said, “Seven, and a few little fish.” So, He commanded the multitude to
sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and the fish and
gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the
disciples gave to the multitude. So, they all ate and were filled, and
they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left.
Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.
Matthew 15:32-38
But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my
neighbor?” Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from
Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his
clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by
chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he
passed by on the other side. Likewise, a Levite, when he arrived at the
place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain
Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he
had compassion. So, he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on
oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn,
and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out
two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of
him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’
So, which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell
among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then
Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:29-37
Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and
sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone
had need. Acts 2:44-45
“I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves
know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those
who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this,
that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord
Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Acts 20:33-35
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he
who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give
as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God
loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward
you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an
abundance for every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with
his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. “Be angry, and do not
sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the
devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor,
working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give
him who has need. Ephesians 4:25-28
Nevertheless, you have done well that you shared in my distress. Now
you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I
departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and
receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica, you sent aid once and
again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the
fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed, I have all and abound. I am
full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a
sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory
by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever.
Amen. Philippians 4:14-20
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor
to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly
all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works,
ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good
foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal
life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19
But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Hebrews 13:16
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also
ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this
world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart
from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children,
let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by
this we know that we are of the truth and shall assure our hearts
before Him. 1 John 3:16-19