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Expectations and Guidelines
for Christian Fellowship & Worship
The form of Christian fellowship
and worship which I describe here may be very different from your
traditional religious experiences. It is mostly absent in contemporary
denomination churches. It is nonetheless entirely scriptural, modeled
after the teachings of Paul in his epistles.
Koinonia (fellowship) is the hallmark of
apostolic Christian gathering.
Biblical
koinonia is best suited to home meetings. Traditional church experience
that is common to denominational Christianity lacks any substantial
participation among the body of believers aside from hymn singing and
responsive readings. The familiar form of denominational Christianity is
guided by credentialed leaders or overseers or priests who determine an
order of service. An order of service replaces the moving of the Holy
Spirit who has a fresh agenda of Christ's concern for the people, place
and time.
The Ek-kles-si'-a is the Greek word for church. It
translates to "called out assembly." The term generally consists of a
group of professing Spirit-empowered believers. When such a body of
believers gather they share and participate in active worship and
interaction with God. Such sharing is exercised with openness and
liberty.
The essential aim of the gathering consists of
transacting matters particular to the Kingdom of God. As in the book of
Acts, there is sharing food, making prayer, offering praise, bringing
forth teachings and communion. There are testimonies about what God is
doing with his people. There is shared music as psalms, spiritual songs.
(Colossians 3:16) Prophetic revelations are encouraged. (See 1
Corinthians c. 14) Koinonia gatherings are mostly democratic but always
with appropriate order. There is generally a good deal of freedom to
express whatever the Holy Spirit is pleased to do in that time. Since
there will be individuals with varied amounts of experience and maturity
there needs to be oversight by a someone who knows the scriptural
authority The Way and discerns spiritual matters. Oversight is based
upon experience and Spiritual experience and not credentialing as is
common today.
We can know from
the truth of Scripture that each believer has a place, a gift and a
essential role to play in the Kingdom of God.
1 Peter describes that
each believer has a gift that should be employed and welcomed in the
"Body" of believers. (1Peter 4;10-11)
For more understanding of "Body
of Christ" see also; Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and 1 Corinthians 14.
No one is excluded as a necessary member that has an honored placed in
the Body of the called out believers.
The Lord Jesus is the
rule and the authority of any Ekklessia. When and where the body gathers
Christ Jesus is always the invited guest and most welcomed participant.
WHY GATHER AS A BODY? SOME GUIDELINES
AND EXPECTATIONS
-
To be: United in Spirit and
purpose - knowing the reality of Jesus as Savior; and having
fellowship with God our Father through Him and giving glory to God.
After any person is reborn spiritually, they become part of one
heavenly family who share the "gift of God." To continue to be
United in Spirit - The same Spirit that is in Christ Jesus.
-
For the body in fellowship to
continue to grow (be edified) in knowledge of truth (Holy Bible is
the guide)
-
To be bound in mutual love
and acceptance. The spirit of Love denotes we are Christians.
-
To seek God's manifested
presence corporately. (Seeking and activating His kingdom to be
manifested on earth)
-
To recognize and invite the
Holy Spirit to empower, lead and guide; to reveal Jesus.
-
To value and build from the
unique gifts and abilities that the Holy Spirit of God has given to
each believing disciple. (our brothers and sisters)
-
To follow the "Gatekeeper",
shepherd, or the head of the home, who is practiced in following the
Holy Spirit in an orderly way.
-
For all to discern and guard
against spiritual pitfalls, against against disunity; To guard
against the expression of any wrong spirit -- anger, prejudice,
suspicion, jealousy that will "grieve" the Holy Spirit.
-
To see to it: That all things
serve to edify and build each believer kindly with liberty in the
Holy Spirit.
Doctrinal purity must employ the whole counsel of
God, The Word of God. (Scripture) Scripture is used for instruction
in Godliness, correction and reproof thus it is the proper authority
when contending for correct doctrine.
The Scriptural model of
intimate corporate fellowship (Koinonia) is found in 1 Corinthians,
Chapters 12, 14; 1 Peter 4:10-11
MODELING JESUS' SPIRITUAL PATH
The Spiritual Life-Learning
Christ
"Be Ye Imitators of Christ as dear Children."
Go to next book:
Disciple’s Handbook
Chapter
6
E Book 1:
The Gospel
Without
Religion
E Book 2:
A
Disciples Handbook
E Book 3:
Mysteries
in the Bible
Index to all Charles Pinkney Christian Titles
Understanding Home Fellowships
Frank Viola Interviews a typical church-goer
(Discussion of Open
Church)
Frank Viola
Updated
01-13-2024
Disciple’s Handbook
Chapter 6
E
Book 1:
The Gospel Without
Religion
E Book 2:
A Disciples Handbook
E Book 3:
Mysteries in the Bible
Index to all Charles Pinkney
Christian Titles
Resources:
Understanding Home Fellowships
Frank Viola Interviews a typical church-goer
(Discussion of Open Church)
Frank
Viola
"Who's Your Covering"
"Rethinking the Wineskin"
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