Which other scriptures emphasize the importance of community among believers? Starting Point—Delight in God’s People (Psalm 16:3) “As for the saints in the land, they are the excellence in whom all my delight resides.” • David’s joy is not just in the Lord but also in those who belong to Him. • Community is presented as a gift worth treasuring—God’s saints are “the excellence.” Community in the Old Testament • Genesis 2:18 – “Then the LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone.’” – From the beginning, isolation is called “not good.” • Exodus 17:12 – Aaron and Hur hold up Moses’ weary arms until victory comes. – Spiritual battles are won together. • Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – “Two are better than one… A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” – Partnership multiplies strength. • Psalm 133:1 – “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!” – God Himself calls unity “good and pleasant.” • Proverbs 27:17 – “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” – Mutual sharpening produces spiritual growth. Jesus Models and Commands Togetherness • Matthew 18:20 – “For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.” – His presence is uniquely promised in gathered fellowship. • John 13:34-35 – “Love one another… By this everyone will know that you are My disciples.” – The watching world recognizes Jesus through visible, shared love. The Early Church Lives It Out • Acts 2:42-47 – “…They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship… All the believers were together… And the Lord added to their number daily…” – Teaching, meals, prayers, generosity, worship, growth—all experienced in community. • Acts 4:32 – “The congregation of believers was of one heart and soul.” – Unity of heart produced open-handed giving and powerful witness. Paul’s Letters: Body Life Explained • Romans 12:4-5 – “In Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another.” – Belonging to Christ means belonging to each other. • 1 Corinthians 12:25-27 – “If one part suffers, every part suffers… you are the body of Christ.” – Shared joy, shared pain—inseparable interdependence. • Galatians 6:2 – “Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Burden-bearing is not optional; it fulfills Christ’s command. • Ephesians 4:15-16 – “From Him the whole body… grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part.” – Growth happens as every believer contributes. • Colossians 3:12-14 – “Clothe yourselves with… compassion… love, which is the bond of perfect unity.” – Virtues that hold the church together are to be intentionally “put on.” Other New Testament Voices • Hebrews 10:24-25 – “Let us consider how to spur one another on… not neglecting meeting together.” – Regular gathering is a safeguard for perseverance. • James 5:16 – “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.” – Transparency and intercession bring healing. • 1 Peter 2:9-10 – “You are a chosen people… a people for God’s own possession.” – Identity itself is corporate: a single people proclaiming His virtues. • 1 John 1:7 – “If we walk in the light… we have fellowship with one another.” – Genuine discipleship automatically produces fellowship. Putting It All Together • God declares life in community “good” and “pleasant.” • Jesus commands love that can only be displayed together. • The Spirit forms one body where every part matters. • Meeting, serving, confessing, encouraging, giving, suffering, rejoicing—all are designed to happen side by side. The Bible consistently shows that delighting in God means delighting in His people; community is not an accessory to faith but an essential expression of it. |
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