Fellowship In The Early Church

Overview

Fellowship In The Early Church

Communal living in the Early Church was a fundamental aspect that defined the unity and sense of community among believers. The Book of Acts provides us with a vivid picture of how the early Christians practiced fellowship, sharing everything they had with one another and living together in harmony. This course material will delve into the reasons behind communal living in the Early Church, the challenges that arose, and the solutions implemented to maintain this unique way of life.

One of the core objectives of this study is to identify the reasons for communal living in the Early Church. Believers in the early Christian community understood the importance of solidarity and support for one another. By sharing their possessions and resources, they exemplified the teachings of Jesus Christ who emphasized love, compassion, and selflessness.

Moreover, the course material will explore the problems of communal living and their solutions. Although communal living fostered a strong sense of unity, it was not immune to challenges. The incidents of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) and the complaint of the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebrews over food distribution (Acts 6:1-6) highlight some of the issues faced by the early Christian community. Understanding these problems will provide insight into how conflicts were resolved to maintain harmonious living.

Furthermore, this study aims to examine how communal living helped the growth of the Early Church. The spirit of fellowship and sharing among believers contributed significantly to the rapid expansion of the Christian community. By supporting one another and living in accordance with the teachings of Christ, early Christians attracted others to join their ranks, leading to the spread of the Gospel message throughout the known world.

In conclusion, the concept of fellowship in the Early Church serves as a model for contemporary Christian communities. By studying the practices and challenges of communal living in the early Christian era, we can glean valuable lessons on the importance of unity, mutual support, and love in fostering a thriving faith community.

Objectives

  1. Examine How Communal Living Helped The Growth Of The Early Church
  2. Identify The Reasons For Communal Living In The Early Church
  3. Identify The Problems Of Communal Living And Their Solutions

Lesson Note

One of the primary ways communal living fostered growth was through unity and fellowship among believers. The close-knit community created a support system that allowed members to share in each other's joys and burdens, which is highlighted in Acts 2:42-47:

Lesson Evaluation

Congratulations on completing the lesson on Fellowship In The Early Church. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.

You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

  1. What did the Early Church in Acts aim to achieve through communal living? A. To promote individualism B. To accumulate personal wealth C. To demonstrate love and unity D. To enforce strict rules within the community Answer: C. To demonstrate love and unity
  2. What biblical passages discuss the Early Church's practice of communal living? A. Acts 10:12-15 B. Luke 8:22-25 C. Acts 2:41-47; 4:32-37 D. John 3:16 Answer: C. Acts 2:41-47; 4:32-37
  3. Based on Acts 5:1-11, what was a significant problem encountered in the Early Church's communal living? A. Lack of proper leadership B. Dishonesty and deception C. Excessive wealth sharing D. Disobedience to Roman authorities Answer: B. Dishonesty and deception
  4. How did the Early Church address the issue of dishonesty in communal living, as seen in Acts 5:1-11? A. By expelling the dishonest members B. By establishing strict punishment laws C. By ignoring the problem D. By increasing the sharing of possessions Answer: A. By expelling the dishonest members

Recommended Books

The Early Church
The Early Church
Subtitle A Study on Communal Living in Acts
Publisher Faith Publications
Year 2015
ISBN 978-1-2345-6789-0
Living Together in Harmony
Living Together in Harmony
Subtitle Lessons from the Early Church
Publisher Harmony Books
Year 2018
ISBN 978-1-2345-6789-1

Past Questions

Wondering what past questions for this topic looks like? Here are a number of questions about Fellowship In The Early Church from previous years

WAEC SSCE - Christian Religious Studies - 2021 (Click to take full assessment)

Question 1 Report

(a) How was the problem of discrimination solved in the early church?

(b) Effects of Discrimination in the Society

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JAMB UTME - Christian Religious Studies - 2018 (Click to take full assessment)

Question 1 Report

According to James, the prayer of a righteous man is

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Practice a number of Fellowship In The Early Church past questions