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Unity in the church - 10/2/2009 6:39:00 PM
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AboundinginHisGrace
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Here are a few verses about unity in the church.
Acts 2:44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 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,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Acts 4:32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.
34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,
35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus,
37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
I was wondering what we can do as Christians to help our churches be like this. They met daily, they had all things in common, and no one lacked. Shouldn't we spend more time in fellowship with one another than we do? How can we be more unified as a church? I do not think meeting on Sundays and Weds is enough. How in today's society can we accomplish this? I would love to see if there is any of your churches out there with this kind of unity and if not what can we do as Christians to become unified like this.
_____________________________
Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell."
- C.L. Studd
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RE: Unity in the church - 10/2/2009 6:52:07 PM
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CMT8808
Posts: 242
Joined: 9/4/2009
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The only church that I know of that has daily communion for those that want it, is the Catholic church. They have service everyday along with communion.
Now I know most folks disagree with this denomination, but it is true, they have communion daily with fellow believers.
But to get other denominations to see the importance, is a far cry imho, a lot of pastors have to work and do not have the time.
The congregation does not want it either regardless of their speech.
A good example of this is Peter who claimed he would die for Jesus, yet denied Him.
As holy or religious one considers themselves, Well just say they (we) are not.
Our daily lives consume us and we just give God the one day He asks for, which is *A* Sabbath day, which doesn't neccessarily mean Sunday.
It is a day that we dedicate to Him solely, and He accepts it, because He knows that some folks work on Sunday.
I remember during the week I use to stop at the church during the day, that I would stop in because the doors were open, just to sit and pray in His presence.
That's the other problem, because of crime, churches lock their doors and you can not sit their anymore to just pray and hand your concenrs or worries over to Him in that environment
CMT
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RE: Unity in the church - 10/5/2009 4:50:04 AM
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LastofAll
Posts: 126
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Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1 Cor 1:10
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought(some thing or any thing) of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Acts 4:32
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RE: Unity in the church - 10/5/2009 5:10:56 AM
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Covaan_Meshuga
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From: being knit together in my mother's womb
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quote:
ORIGINAL: AboundinginHisGrace
. . . 46 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, . . .
I was wondering what we can do as Christians to help our churches be like this. They met daily, they had all things in common, and no one lacked. Shouldn't we spend more time in fellowship with one another than we do? How can we be more unified as a church? I do not think meeting on Sundays and Weds is enough. How in today's society can we accomplish this? I would love to see if there is any of your churches out there with this kind of unity and if not what can we do as Christians to become unified like this.
Regarding gathering daily, having all things in common, we don't, but we do eat together weekly after the service. During this time, we eat and chat, have a study, groups play games, etc., until evening, when we have another short informal service. I think that this does help to create great unity. But what seems to create the deeper unity is that we are all there with one heart, one desire.
I find it interesting that in the Bible, when the people are in unity, it uses the singular for heart to represent that. Indeed, that is what it takes.
_____________________________
While in prayer or praise, I am only as devoted to G-d as I am in my most private moments.
Abiyah, if you had known them as G-d knows them, you would have answered them differently.
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RE: Unity in the church - 10/5/2009 10:43:48 AM
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deermousie
Posts: 2215
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What a great question, AboundinginHisGrace!
Most of us go to churches that meet at most twice a week, but we can phone or visit people and just encourage them or bring a little treat or help them with something.
_____________________________
"Through Gates of Splendor" by Elizabeth Elliot
"Federal Husband" by Doug Wilson
www.biblegateway.com for online concordance (I use it daily)
"Passion and Purity" by Elizabeth Elliot
And I think chickens are really funny
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RE: Unity in the church - 10/6/2009 10:43:27 AM
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DaveW
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If you really want what is described in Acts 4, go study the Chabad or other chassidic or ultra orthodox Jewish group. They all live within walking distance of each other and their meeting house. They are in each others homes constantly. They truly live a shared life.
All this is antithetical to American Individualism which is very pervasive in our churches. But if you want Acts 4, that is what is needed.
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Avatar is my daughter Laura and SIL David on their wedding 9/20/09 ====================================
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RE: Unity in the church - 10/6/2009 9:37:39 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 1821
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Covaan_Meshuga
quote:
ORIGINAL: AboundinginHisGrace
. . . 46 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, . . .
I was wondering what we can do as Christians to help our churches be like this. They met daily, they had all things in common, and no one lacked. Shouldn't we spend more time in fellowship with one another than we do? How can we be more unified as a church? I do not think meeting on Sundays and Weds is enough. How in today's society can we accomplish this? I would love to see if there is any of your churches out there with this kind of unity and if not what can we do as Christians to become unified like this.
Regarding gathering daily, having all things in common, we don't, but we do eat together weekly after the service. During this time, we eat and chat, have a study, groups play games, etc., until evening, when we have another short informal service. I think that this does help to create great unity. But what seems to create the deeper unity is that we are all there with one heart, one desire.
I find it interesting that in the Bible, when the people are in unity, it uses the singular for heart to represent that. Indeed, that is what it takes.
I like this. 
When we were in our last church (you know, the formally organized kind), we did this almost every week by just inviting people to our home for the day. And we never lacked for people.
I so enjoy it and miss it. It is hard to find those who love Jesus and desire this kind of fellowship. Anyway, I'm with ya, Abounding. It is the longing of my heart as well.
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Liveloved
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Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
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RE: Unity in the church - 10/6/2009 9:52:05 PM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3167
Joined: 6/8/2005
From: being knit together in my mother's womb
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Liveloved
When we were in our last church (you know, the formally organized kind), we did this almost every week by just inviting people to our home for the day. And we never lacked for people.
That's great! Maybe others will do this because you mentioned it here.
_____________________________
While in prayer or praise, I am only as devoted to G-d as I am in my most private moments.
Abiyah, if you had known them as G-d knows them, you would have answered them differently.
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When our love for one another is lost, all is lost.