THE LOCAL CHURCH: A FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS IN CHRIST

Luke sets before us an example of what every local church should be, by showing us what that early church at Jerusalem was. "They continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42). That early assembly was a blessed fellowship of believers in Christ.   When the Bible talks about the fellowship of believers, it is not talking about social gatherings or church dinners; it is talking about a genuine oneness of heart among God's people. Fellowship is unity of heart and purpose. It is good to get together physically in one place. We all enjoy that. But it is better to be united in heart. That is fellowship.

                Our fellowship as a church is fourfold, We enjoy A DOCTRINAL FELLOWSHIP. Like the early church, we continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine, the gospel of God's sovereign, saving grace in Christ. Nothing is of greater importance the local church than our doctrinal foundation. What we do and what we are as a church is determined by what we believe. If our fellowship with one another is not built upon the gospel, then we have no real fellowship. The one thing that binds our hearts together is the gospel of Christ. God has also given us A FRATERNAL FELLOWSHIP. We are brothers and sisters in the family of God. Few churches have been so blessed of God as we are. I do not think I am being presumptuous, when I say that we are one. God has given us a sweet fellowship of love, sympathy, understanding and care. The Lord graciously grants us FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST.  The Son of God himself meets with us and makes himself known (Matt. 18:20). And in this place we have been granted FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD. In our songs of praise and our prayers together, we draw near to the living God, our Father, in true fellowship! (I John 1:1-3). How we ought to cherish, carefully guard, and eagerly promote this fellowship: