Today’s selected reading continues in the New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Philippi. More specifically todays passage begins with the nineteenth verse of the second chapter and continues through to the final verse of the third chapter. “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellow soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me” (Philippians 2:19-30).

 

            “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth u not hose things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, where to we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing” (Philippians 3:1-16).

 

            “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (Philippians 3:17-21).

 

            In order to understand the words which are found in this passage of Scripture I am absolutely convinced there is a great need to begin at the beginning of the second chapter. It is when you begin with the opening verses of this passage where you find the apostle Paul exhorting and admonishing the Philippian saints concerning Christian fellowship and their responsibility unto each other. If you begin reading with and from the opening verse of this passage of Scripture you will find the apostle Paul appealing to certain realities which are found within the life of a Christian. Beginning with the first and opening verse of this passage of Scripture you will find the apostle Paul speaking of the consolation that is found in Christ, the comfort of love, the fellowship of the Spirit as well as affection and mercy. Appealing to these realities the apostle Paul then goes on to write and speak unto these saints be exhorting and admonishing them to fulfill his joy by being like minded, having the same love, being of one accord and of one mind. Pause for a moment and consider how absolutely incredible these words truly are for when you take the time to read and consider them you will find the apostle Paul admonishing the Philippian saints to live and walk in unity and community with each other. Moreover the apostle Paul admonished and exhorted the Philippian saints to walk in community with each other and to learn how to function as members of the body of Christ. This is something we must needs recognize and understand as it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the tremendous and inherent need within the body of Christ to be those who truly understand how to walk in unity, community and fellowship with each other. Perhaps one of the greatest needs within the churches in western civilization—specifically churches within the nation of the United States of America—it’s to truly understand and recognize how to live in community and fellowship with each other.

 

            I am sitting here this morning writing these words and reading the words found within this epistle written by the apostle Paul and I am brought face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth that we as the saints of God bear a tremendous responsibility to learn and understand how to live in community, fellowship and unity with each other. Oh it is indeed true we might gather together week after week on a Sunday morning with other members who profess themselves to be disciples and followers of Christ and saints of the most high God. It is true that we gather together week after week with other men and women as we sing songs which are led by a worship team or worship leader at the front of the church. We participate in the time of tithes and offerings and give whatever we feel is right and appropriate or whatever we feel we can give. We sit through and listen to the preacher preach from the Scripture and deliver a message that may or may not challenge us within our hearts, within our souls and within our minds. We might even respond to the preaching of the word and step forward when the invitation is given to come to the altar to experience change and transformation within our hearts. Our hearts and our spirits might be stirred when the invitation is given to experience some type of freedom and deliverance within our hearts and lives. With this being said, however, there are a great many men and women among us within our churches who don’t know how to live in community nor how to walk in fellowship and unity with each other. With this being said I am convinced we must needs recognize that attending “church” on a Sunday morning is not the equivalent of walking in fellowship and community the members of the spiritual body of Christ.

 

            If we are willing to be truly honest with ourselves as well as with the eternal and living God we must needs admit that we struggle with knowing how and even being able to walk in community, fellowship and unity with the members of the spiritual body of Christ. What’s more is that merely entering into the church building week in and week out and participating in the order of the service is not enough to truly walk in unity, community and fellowship with each other. What makes this all the more intriguing when you take the time to think about the word “community” is that it seems to suggest the tremendous reality of members of the body of Christ being “with unity.” There is something we must needs understand and acknowledge within our hearts and spirits and that is that we as the saints of God have indeed been called to be such who know how to walk in community and fellowship one with another. In most—if not all of the writings of the apostle Paul he admonishes and exhorts the individual churches together with their members to walk in unity and fellowship with each other. It is absolutely impossible to read the words found in the writings of the apostle Paul and not encounter or come face to face with the incredible truth surrounding the call to walk in community and fellowship with the members of the spiritual of Christ. Oh it is indeed true that the author of the epistle written unto the Hebrews writes and speaks of not forsaking the gathering together of the saints, however, what we must needs recognize is that merely gathering together as the saints of God doesn’t mean nor is it the equivalent of truly walking in community, fellowship and unity with the individual members of the spiritual body of Christ. This is something which is expressed first in the second and fourth chapters of the New Testament book of Acts for within these two passages of Scripture we begin to see what it truly means and what it truly looks like to walk and live in community and fellowship with the saints of the living God:

 

            “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call. And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, Be saved from this perverse generation. Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 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, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:37-47).

 

            “Now the multitude of those who believe 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 common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 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, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. And Joses who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of encouragement), a Levite of the county of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:32-37).

 

            I am convinced that we cannot and must not miss the incredible importance of the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for it highlights and underscores what it truly means to live and walk in community and fellowship with the members of the spiritual body of Christ. Within the second chapter of the New Testament book of Acts we find Luke writing and recording how on the day of Pentecost—after the preaching of the apostle Peter—there were a number of men and women who asked what they ought to do in response to the words he had spoken. The apostle Peter admonished and exhorted them to repent and let every one of them be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Not only this but if they repented and were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is something we must needs understand for I am confident in the fact that on the day of Pentecost there was a whole lot of baptism which took place. There was the initial baptism of the Holy Spirit which those in the upper room experienced when the sound as of a mighty rushing wind filled the room where they were and where cloven tongues of fire rested upon them and they each spoke with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. What’s more is that on the day of Pentecost the apostle Peter encouraged all those who were sincere and genuine in their desire to respond to what they had heard to repent and be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

 

            Luke writes and records how on the day of Pentecost there were about three thousand souls who were added to the number of those who were present in the upper room when the day of Pentecost had begun. After the preaching of the apostle Peter, however, there was a great many of those who heard and listened to him who were sincere and genuine in asking what they ought to do. The apostle Peter made it very clear to them and admonished and exhorted them to repent and let each of them be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. What makes this truly astonishing when you think about it is that Luke writes how about three thousand souls were added unto the number of those who were in the upper room when the day began. The apostle Peter speaks of two distinct baptisms when responding to those who asked what they ought to do in response to his preaching. The apostle Peter spoke first and foremost of the baptism of John which was the baptism unto repentance for the remission of sins as well as the baptism of the Lord Jesus which was a baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire. What I can’t help but wonder is whether or not on the day of Pentecost about three thousand men and women were baptized in water in the baptism of John unto repentance for the remission of sins. Is it possible that on this very day three thousand souls believed and repented in the sight and presence of the apostles and all those who were in the upper room and were baptized in water unto the baptism of John. Pause for a moment and consider what it would have looked and sounded like for three thousand souls to be baptized in a single day. What’s more is I can’t help but wonder if they all went to the Jordan River to baptize these who believed and repented or if they went unto another location and body of water to baptize them. What did it look and sound like on the day of Pentecost as three thousand souls might very well have been baptized in water unto the baptism of John which was for repentance unto the remission of sins?

 

            Perhaps one of the greatest questions I can’t help but ask myself when reading the words found in this passage of Scripture is whether or not any of these individuals who responded to the preaching of the apostle Peter had been baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. Is it possible that some of them could very well have been baptized by the disciples of Jesus as was mentioned in the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John? Scripture isn’t at all clear whether or not these individuals had been baptized by John the Baptist or even Jesus’ disciples and I have to admit that I am leaning toward the possibility that none of them had been baptized at all. If they had indeed been baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist or had been baptized by the disciples of Jesus there might not have been a need to be baptized a second time on the day of Pentecost. This is something that is truly captivating when you take the time to think about it for on the day of Pentecost there was the initial baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire which took place when the promise of the Holy Spirit was sent by the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God and Father from His right hand. In addition to this there could and would quite possibly have been three thousand additional baptisms which took place on that day as about three thousand souls who believed and repented were baptized in water unto John’s baptism which was unto repentance for the remission of sins. What’s more is I can’t help but wonder if there couldn’t have possibly been three thousand additional baptisms in fire and of the Holy Spirit. Is it possible that the same three thousand souls who might very well have been baptized in water unto repentance for the remission of sins also experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire. Pause for a moment and think about the fact that on the day of Pentecost there could have been a minimum of three thousand baptisms in water and three thousand one hundred and twenty baptisms in the Holy Spirit and fire.

 

            I find it absolutely necessary to pause for a moment and call your attention to the following words which are found in the New Testament gospel narratives written by the gospel authors as well as the words which are recorded in the opening chapter of the New Testament book of Acts which our Lord Himself spoke unto those who had accompanied Him unto the mount of Olives where He gave them His final words and instructions before ascending unto the right hand of the Father which was in heaven. Consider if you will the following words which are found in the four gospel narratives written by the gospel authors as well as the words which are found in the opening chapter of the New Testament book of Acts and even the nineteenth chapter of the same book:

 

            “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our father. For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit Thad fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:7-12).

 

            “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophets: Behold I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you. The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight. John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Then all the land of Judea and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” i(Mark 1:1-8).

            “Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our father. For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? He answered and said to them, he who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise. Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, Teacher, what shall we do? And he said to them, Collect no more than what is appointed for you. Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, And what shall we do? So he said to them, Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages. Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, John answered, saying to all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire” (Luke 3:7-17).

 

            “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, After me comes a man who is preferred before me, for He was before me. I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water. And John bore witness, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, Upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining on Him, this is He who baptized with the Holy Spirit. And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God” (John 1:29-34).

 

            “And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, He said, you have heard from me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. Therefore when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? And he said to them, it is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:4-8).

 

            “And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? So they said to him, We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit. And he said to them, Into what then were you baptized? So they said, Into John’s baptism. Then Paul said, John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying, to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after Him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all. And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God. But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:1-10).

 

            There is a great need for us to recognize and pay close attention to the words which are found in these passages of Scripture for within them we not only see the baptism of John which was a baptism in water unto repentance for the remission of sins but we also see a second work and a second baptism. This second work and second baptism was indeed a baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire which would and could only come AFTER Jesus had risen from the dead on the third day and ascended unto the right hand of the Father which was in heaven. So long as Jesus was present among them as the Word made flesh the promise of the Father would and could not be released and poured out. When, however, Jesus had ascended unto the right hand of the Father forty days after He had risen from the dead there would be an additional ten days before the Day of Pentecost would fully come. It would be on the day of Pentecost when we would indeed see both John’s baptism as well as Jesus’ baptism. On the day of Pentecost we would see the initial baptism of the Holy Spirit and with fire as those who were present in the upper room would not only receive the Spirit but would also speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for I would dare say that directly linked and connected to walking in unity, walking in community and walking in fellowship together with the members of the spiritual body of Christ is the baptism of John in water unto repentance for the remission of sins as well as the baptism of Jesus which was the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire. Scripture is not clear whether or not those three thousand who believed and were added to the number of those in the upper room were baptized in both water as well as the Holy Spirit and with fire, however, if I am being honest I have to admit that I am strongly inclined to believe that those three thousand were indeed baptized in water as well as with the Holy Spirit and fire.

 

            This reality and concept of being baptized in water unto repentance for the remission of sins and believing as well as the reality of being baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire are intrinsically linked and connected to that of walking and living in fellowship and community with each other. After reading of three thousand souls being added unto those who were in the upper room Luke transitions to writing and speaking of how they all continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine AND FELLOWSHIP. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for if we want to truly understand what the church truly looks like we must needs understand that it is centered upon both the doctrines found in Scripture as well as fellowship. What’s more is that when you read the words which are found in these verses you will find Luke goes on to write how these who believed and were gathered together partook of the breaking of bread and prayers as fear came upon every soul and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. What’s more is that as you read the words found in this passage of Scripture you will find that all who believed were together and had all things in common and sold their possessions and goods and divided them among all as anyone had need. Not only this but as you continue reading the words which are found in this passage you will find that they continued daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house. Moreover they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart as they praised God and had favor with all the people. In response to those the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

 

            Upon reading the words which are found in this passage of Scripture you will notice Luke mentioning how those who believed continued in the breaking of bread while the second mention of this breaking of bread was directly connected to individual houses. There seems to be the idea that those who believed gave themselves to the breaking of bread—perhaps in one central place and location—however there seems to be an indication of a more intimate and a more personal setting for breaking bread. Oh there is something to be said about breaking bread in the house of the Lord and that place where the saints of God are gathered together, however, there is something to be said about breaking bread from house to house. To break bread from house to house suggests that men and women were willing to open their homes unto their fellow brothers and sisters. I would dare say that in addition to breaking bread as one body in a singular location there was a secondary breaking of bread as men and women opened their homes unto others and invited them in to partake of bread. What makes this all the more intriguing when you take the time to think about it is when you consider how after Jesus walked with the two men journeying from Jerusalem to Emmaus He agreed to enter into their home and abide with them after they had invited Him in. It would be in their presence Jesus would take bread, would give thanks and would give it unto them and it would be in that moment their eyes were opened and they knew that it was Jesus who walked with them from Jerusalem and who had entered into the house together with them. What’s more is that at that very hour these two men rose from where they were sitting and returned unto Jerusalem where the apostles and the others were gathered together. What makes this all the more astonishing is when you consider how they not only proclaimed that Jesus had indeed risen but how He had made Himself known unto them in the breaking of bread.

 

            There is something to be said about the words which are found in the second chapter of the New Testament book of Acts for within it we find Luke not only writing of the giving of themselves to breaking bread but we also find him writing and speaking of them being together, continuing daily with one accord and having all things in common. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it brings us face to face with the awesome and incredible truth of what it means to truly walk in fellowship and community with each other. I firmly believe that it isn’t merely about walking in community and fellowship with each other for it is also about living in that community and fellowship with each other. Truly experiencing community and fellowship with the saints of God is not merely about a once a week experience with those who believe but rather a continual experience of walking and living in fellowship together with each other. There is something to be said about the saints of God and those who profess to be the disciples of Jesus and their willingness to walk in fellowship and community with each other. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful importance of community and fellowship as the saints of God. If we are truly honest with ourselves and with the eternal and living God we must needs admit that what we desperately need is more than what we experience on Sunday morning and perhaps even more than what we experience on Wednesday evening. There is a great need for us as the saints of God to recognize and understand that we have indeed been called to gather together as the assembly of the saints but we have been called to something far greater than simply twice a week for an hour or two. We as the saints of God have indeed been called to experience a greater and deeper intimacy and fellowship one with another as we truly walk in fellowship and community with each other.

 

            Having said these words I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the absolutely wonderful and incredible truth surrounding the need to be men and women who truly walk and live in fellowship with each other. They say that you don’t truly know someone until you live with them and in most cases this is directly connected to marriage. With this being said I would dare say that you don’t and you can’t truly get to know someone in the body of Christ until you live with them. Please note that by living with members of the body of Christ I do not mean physically living in the same location and place where they are. I am in no way suggesting that we potentially sell our houses and purchase such where we are able to live in community and fellowship with each other. With that being said, however, I find it absolutely wonderful and captivating to think about what it would and could be like if the members of the body of Christ sold their houses and their land and purchased one large plot of land. What if the members of the spiritual body of Christ sold their individual houses and homes and took the proceeds and not only purchased a large plot of land but also chose to build upon that land. Apartment complexes, condominium complexes where married couples, families, singles and even engaged and dating couples live together. What if the spiritual members of the body of Christ decided to sell their houses and their land and took the proceeds to purchase a large plot of land and build an apartment or condominium complex? What if within this complex there was the same setup of one bedroom, two bedroom, three bedroom and other options for those who needed such accommodations to move in and live? What if men and women didn’t open their homes which they themselves owned individually but rather men and women within the body of Christ truly learned how to live in community and fellowship with each other? What if there was on this property a chapel, a prayer room, a community center or clubhouse where men and women could gather together as the spiritual members of the body of Christ? What if there was a state of the art fitness center where men and women could gather together to workout and to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle? What if there was an outdoor fire pit or two with outdoor furniture with grills and outdoor kitchens where men and women could share meals outside?

 

            I realize that this might seem far fetched and far out there in left field, however, I firmly believe that we are and we have been called to more than simply what we experience on Sunday mornings and perhaps even Wednesday and midweek services. I believe that we have truly been called to live in community and fellowship one with each other as we learn how to live and walk in unity one with another. Moving back to this idea of a community center where the spiritual members of the body of Christ can live and dwell in fellowship one with each other I can’ t help but wonder if men and women could indeed live in such a way. Could members within our churches sell their houses and their land and take the proceeds to create such a community for the spiritual members of the body of Christ? Could members of the spiritual body of Christ sell their possessions and take the proceeds that they might make distribution unto those according to their needs? How many men and women among us within our churches today could indeed live in community and fellowship with each other? Are there members of our churches who would truly be able to live and walk in fellowship and community with each other in the context of an apartment or condominium development? Oh I fully realize that concept might indeed seem far fetched and truly out there, however, if we truly believe what the Scripture says then we must needs understand that it is indeed possible. It is possible to sell houses, lands, possessions and the like to make distribution unto the saints as each member has need. I fully realize that Luke writes of their breaking bread from house to house, however, in our modern context that could mean a literal and physical house as much as it could mean that singular place where the members of the spiritual body of Christ dwell.

 

            With this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the writings of the apostle Paul as they are found within the New Testament. I can’t help but be reminded of the words the apostle Paul wrote in the twelfth chapter of the epistle written unto the saints which were at Rome. I can’t help but think about the words which are found in the fourth chapter of the epistle written unto the saints which were at Ephesus. Moreover I can’t help but be reminded of the words which are found in the first, third, eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth chapters of the first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints. Having said this I now invite you to turn and direct your attention to the following words which are found in each of these passages of Scripture beginning with the twelfth chapter of the epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome:

 

            “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or minister, let us use it in our ministering: he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:1-8).

 

            “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. C.i.no to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. Therefore, If you enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:9-21).

 

            “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men. (Now this, He ascended—what does it mean but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a p effect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, clauses growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:1-16).

 

            “I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, I am of Paul, or, I am of Apollos, or, I am of Ceaphas, or, I am of Christ. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Corinthians 1:4-13).

 

            “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now your ere not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you nor carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, I am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollos, are you not carnal?” (1 Corinthians 3:1-4).

 

            “Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s supper. For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? OR do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you. For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, Take, eat; this is my body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of me. In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come” (1 Corinthians 11:17-34).

 

            “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills” (1 Corinthians 12:;1-11).

 

            “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. If the foot should say, Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body? And if the air should say, Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you; nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or of one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. Sand God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifs. And ye I show you a more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:12-31).

 

           

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never failed. But whether there are prophecies they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I am also known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:1-13).

 

            There is a great need for us as the saints of God and those who profess to be disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ to pay close attention to the words which the apostle Paul wrote in these three epistles. I am absolutely convinced the words we find within these three epistles are intrinsically liked to the words which are found in the second chapter of the epistle written unto the saints which were at Philippi. As you read the words presented in the epistle written unto the Philippian saints you will find the apostle Paul speaking of the fellowship of the Spirit, speaking of affection and mercy and then calling on them to be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord and being of one mind. Please don’t miss the incredible importance of what is found within this passage of Scripture for it brings us face to face and confronts us with our own interaction with the spiritual body of Christ and its members. Perhaps one of the greatest questions we must needs ask is whether or not we are indeed aware of and understand the reality and principle of the fellowship of the Spirit. If there is one thing that is required of us to acknowledge within our hearts and minds it is that true fellowship among the members of the body of Christ is indeed a fellowship of the Spirit and a fellowship that can only be produced by the Spirit. There is not a single man or woman present within the body of Christ who is able to produce and manufacture the type of fellowship which is mentioned in the New Testament book of Acts. I continue to believe that the single greatest work performed on the day of Pentecost was not the initial baptism in the Holy Spirit, nor three thousand souls believing, repenting and being baptized and added to the church. While both of these are indeed powerful when you take the time to think about it I am convinced the single greatest work which was done on the day of Pentecost was taking the one-hundred and twenty or so who were in the upper room—those who had perhaps walked with and followed Jesus during those three and a half years He dwelt among us—and uniting them together with the additional three thousand souls.

 

            Stop and consider what it truly takes for men and women among us within our churches to be like minded, to have the same love, to be of one accord and to be of one mind. If we are truly honest with ourselves and with the Holy Spirit we must acknowledge that this has never nor will it ever be a work that can be accomplished in and of ourselves. There is no amount of work in the flesh that can be done to produce the fellowship that can only come by and through the Holy Spirit. Remember the question the apostle Paul asked the Galatian churches concerning their beginning in the Spirit and now striving and attempting to continue in the flesh. I am convinced this same principle can indeed be applied to fellowship for there are those who would attempt to produce and somehow manufacture fellowship in the flesh rather than recognizing that it is only the Spirit who can produce such fellowship. On the day of Pentecost it was not the apostle Peter, nor the other apostles, nor those members who were present in the upper room who produced and somehow conjured up and manufactured the fellowship which was spoken of. What’s more is if you think about it we struggle within many of our churches today to have our individual members be of one accord, be of one mind, to have the same love and to be like minded. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for that which the apostle Paul writes unto the Philippian saints is not that they love one another but that they have the same love. I would dare say there is a vast difference between loving one another and having the same love.

 

            I sit here today thinking about the words which the  apostle Paul wrote unto the Philippian saints and I am brought face to face with the absolutely wonderful reality that the members of the spiritual body of Christ must needs be those who recognize that they have been called into fellowship with Christ and with that fellowship with Christ comes a fellowship one with another. When the disciples made the decision to abandon everything to walk with and follow the Lord Jesus they didn’t just make the decision to walk with and follow Jesus but they also made the decision to walk with and fellowship with each other. Walking with Jesus does of course mean following Him, however, it also means that we fellowship one with each other. This is what is so absolutely incredible about the early church for not only were they making the decision to walk with and follow Jesus but they were also making the decision to walk with and fellowship one with another. With this being said I find it imperative to declare to you reading this that it is easy to walk with and follow the Lord Jesus, however, it is incredibly hard and much more difficult to walk in fellowship with the individual members of His spiritual body. I am convinced this is precisely why the apostle Paul wrote of and mentioned the fellowship of the Spirit for he recognized and understood that the fellowship the body of Christ needed to enjoy was a fellowship that was only found in the Spirit and could only be produced by the Spirit. There must not be any member of the body of Christ—regardless of whether they be apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher or any other member—who attempts to produce this fellowship alone in and of themselves. There must not be a single member of the spiritual body of Christ who attempts to produce and/or try and manufacture and conjure the type of fellowship that can only be produced by the Holy Spirit.

 

            If you continue reading the words which are found in this passage of Scripture you will find the apostle Paul describing what this fellowship looks like as he writes and speaks of the members of the body having the same love, being of one accord and being of one mind. What’s more is the apostle Paul also goes on to admonish them to let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit but in lowliness of mind letting each member of the body esteem others as better than themselves. Not only this but the apostle Paul would also go on to write unto these saints and exhort them to look out not for their own interests only but for the interests of others. In all reality this is precisely what we find in the second and fourth chapters of the New Testament book of Acts for within these two sections of Scripture we find the Spirit producing a fellowship and community among the members of the body whereby they lived selflessly and sacrificially among each other. We dare not and must not miss or ignore this particular truth for within it we find this fellowship of the Spirit being manifested in how we view ourselves—and not only how we view ourselves but how we view ourselves in direct relation to others. There is something to be said about the individual members of the body of Christ having their own view(s) and opinion(s) of themselves being tempered and measured—not by what they think of themselves but in light of the other members of the spiritual body of Christ. We read these words and we find the apostle Paul admonishing and exhorting the spiritual members of the body of Christ in Philippi to let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit but in lowliness of mind as they each esteemed others better than themselves. Oh while it is indeed true that the type of fellowship spoken of in the Scripture can only be produced by the Spirit I am also convinced that it is only by and through a work of the Holy Spirit that we are able to live our lives in relation to others without seeking to exalt or elevate ourselves. It is only the Holy Spirit alone who can bring us into the place where we are unwilling to do anything through selfish ambition or conceit but in lowliness of mind as we esteem others as better than ourselves. It is a great work of the Spirit that causes the individual members of the spiritual body of Christ to look not only for their own interests but also for the interests of others.

 

            If you continue reading the words which are found within this epistle you will find the apostle Paul writing and speaking unto these saints about the mind which ought to be in each and every one of them. The apostle Paul admonished them to let this same mind which was in Christ Jesus be in them and then went on to describe and speak of that which Christ accomplished and fulfilled from the moment He exchanged the glory He had with the Father from the beginning to take upon Himself the form of human flesh. We know from the words which the apostle John wrote in the first chapter of the gospel bearing his name that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory as of the only begotten of the Father. We also know from the epistle written unto the Hebrews that Christ took upon Himself the seed of Abraham as well as in the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John that He came unto His own and His own received Him not. As we read the words found in the epistle written unto the Philippian saints we find the apostle Paul speaking of Christ and how although He was in the form of God did not consider it robbery to be equal with God but made Himself of no reputation taking the form of a bond servant and coming in the likeness of men. Not only this but being found in the appearance as a man He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death—even the death of the cross. As a direct result of this God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name which is above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow—of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth—and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. This is something we must recognize and understand for I am convinced there is no greater honor or privilege than to call Jesus both Christ and Lord. Imagine what it was like for Simon called Peter to confess Jesus as the Christ and the Son of the living God at Caesarea Philippi in the shadow of Mount Hermon as well as confessing a second time that Jesus was the Christ and the Son of the living God who had the words of eternal life in Capernaum.

 

As I bring this writing to a close I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the absolutely wonderful words which the apostle Paul wrote in this particular section of the epistle. The apostle Paul goes on to admonish the saints to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling and then declared that it was God who works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure. The apostle Paul admonishes them to do all things without complaining and disputing that they might become blameless and harmless as children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. Furthermore the apostle Paul goes on to speak of them as shining as lights in the world as they held fast the word of life so that he might rejoice in the day of Christ that he had not run in vain or labored in vain. This is something we must needs recognize when reading the words which the apostle Paul wrote in this epistle for there is a great need for us as the saints of God to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. With this being said we must recognize the apostle Paul instructed the Philippian saints to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling—not working out the salvation of others. While it is indeed true that we have been called to be likeminded, to have the same love, to be of one accord and to be of one mind we have not been called to work out the salvation of others. With this being said the apostle Paul suggests that each and every individual is responsible for his or her salvation and there is no one else who is responsible for it. What’s more is that there is no one else who can work out your salvation for you for you yourself must needs work it out with fear and trembling. There is a great need for men and women to recognize that they are indeed responsible for their own salvation and that they themselves must work that salvation out with fear and trembling. It is indeed true that He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it until the day of Christ, and it is true that it is God who works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure, however, we have a responsibility to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. What makes this all the more profound is when you consider the fact that we have been invited into a partnership with the living and eternal God who began the work in us, who works in us to will and to do for His good pleasure but also asks us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.