“The Fellowship of the Believers” Acts 2:42-47

Power & Awe Acts 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

All things in Common 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

Glad & Generous Hearts 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Brethren Movement The Plymouth Brethren: A conservative, Evangelical Christian movement, whose history can be traced to Dublin, Ireland, in the late 1820s. Although notable for not taking any official "church name" to itself, and not having an official clergy or liturgy, the title "The Brethren," is one that many of their number are comfortable with in that the Bible designates all believers as "brethren.”

Brief History The first English assembly was in Plymouth, where the movement became well known. Brethren assemblies diffused throughout Europe and beyond. Leonard Strong led the formation about 1836 of assemblies in British Guiana among the slaves. In the early years, those involved were largely unknown to one another, with no direct contact between the various groups.

Conflicting Aspirations The two main but conflicting aspirations of the movement were to create a holy and pure fellowship on one hand, and to allow all Christians into fellowship on the other. They believed the established Church of England had abandoned or distorted many of the ancient traditions of Christendom.

Jesus Christ Alone To get away from the sectarianism of dissenters, people in the movement wanted simply to meet together in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ without reference to denominational differences. Early meetings included Christians from a variety of denominations.

Biblical Focus The Brethren movement is widespread in the United States and Canada, where it has spread through evangelistic endeavours, immigration from the UK and Commonwealth countries, and by attracting Christians from other backgrounds with its emphasis on Biblicism, centrality of the Lord's Supper and equality of all believers under Christ, as well as its avoidance of denominational governance

Apostle’s Teaching 1 Cor. 14:6 Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 2Tim 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Fellowship Koinōnia—Strong's Concordance from <G2844> (koinonos); partnership, i.e. (literal) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction :- (to) communicate (-ation), communion, (contri-) distribution, fellowship. —Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary

Fellowship is Relationship 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

The Breaking of Bread 46…breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, Luke 24:35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The Lord’s Supper I Cor 11:20 When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.

Remember Me 23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

The Prayers Rom 15:30 I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 2 Cor 1:11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

The Power of Godliness Join us in devoting ourselves to: Biblical teaching and application; Fellowship of the Body of Christ; Lord’s Supper; Prayer as a Body of Christ