Communion and Fellowship 

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Welcome to class! 

In today’s class, we will be talking about communion and fellowship. Enjoy the class!

Communion and Fellowship 

Election of the successor of Judas Iscariot act 1:15-26

Fellowship in the early church depicts the intimate relationship that existed among the brethren of the early church.

After Jesus Christ’s ascension, the apostles and the disciples about one hundred and twenty of them were together. Peter addressed them on the need to find a replacement for Judas Iscariot who had committed suicide following his betrayal of Jesus Christ. The person must have also witnessed, resurrection and ascension and should preach the gospel and take care of the needs of the Christian community.

Two names were forwarded – Barnabas and Matthias. After they prayed they cast lots for them; the lot fell on Matthias. He was numbered among the Eleven.

After Peter’s speech on the Pentecost day, about three thousand men were converted to Christianity. Thus, the number joined the apostles to form the first Christian community, living a communal life. They ate together. Lived together and did almost everything in common.

Evaluation

1. Describe the election for the replacement of Judas Iscariot.
2. Mention the names of the twelve disciples of Jesus.

Identify the characteristics of the early Christian community

1. They all lived as a community sharing, Fellowshipping, praying and praising God.
2. There was a common purse for all disciples and the ones who had enough food shared it with others according to each person’s need. Those who owned lands and other properties sold them and deposited the proceed at the apostles’ feet for the common use of all.
3. There was the spirit of oneness among them, as they worshipped God daily, sharing what they could afford with joy God responded by multiplying their number greatly daily.

Evaluation

1. What social problems brought about the appointment of deacons in the early church?

2. Mention five social problems facing the church today.

Problems of the early Christian community and solutions – Act 5:1-11

Like any other organization of human beings, the joy and communal living among the brethren gave way to human weaknesses and problems. In the early church dishonesty and discrimination came in to destroy and discrimination came in to destroy the spirit of fellowship but was quickly stopped by the apostles. The case of Ananias and Sapphira should the whole church. They lied upon the Holy Spirit, they died a shameful death.

The early church was made up of Hebrews, Greeks and people from other nations of the world. A problem arose when the non-Jews accused the Jews of neglecting their widows in the daily distribution of food that was donated by the wealthy members of the church. A meeting was summoned at the end of the meeting, seven deacons were chosen from the congregation. The selected deacons’ included: Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas.

Some social problems facing the church today

1. The issue of women ordination.
2. So many pastors take the work of God as a part-time duty.
3. Local traditions are clashing with Christian values and ethics.
4. Stealing of church funds.
5. The urge to get rich overnight by pastors.
6. The proliferation of churches.
7. Lack of unity among members.
8. Fight for positions of authority.
9. Differences in doctrine.
10. The legitimacy or otherwise of polygamy.

Evaluation

1. Mention five challenges of the present-day church.
2. What are the solutions to these challenges?

Lessons to learn

1. There is no human organization that does not experience problems of one kind or another.
2. Dishonesty and lies do not pay but lead to death.
3. The poor and less privileged should be cared for in the church.
4. Domestic problems in the church should not be allowed to distract us from the major task of evangelism.

General evaluation

1. Mention five social problems facing the church today.
2. How did the apostles solve the problem of favouritism in the early church?
3. Describe the protection of God over the Israelites.
4. Discuss the effect of the Red Sea event on the Israelites.
5. Narrate the parable of the prodigal son.

Reading assignment

Comprehensive Christian Religious Knowledge for SS 1- 3 by Martins I. Amaechi Page 196 -200

Weekend assignment

1. The man who succeeded Judas as an apostle was (a) Peter (b) Barnabas (c) Philip (d) Matthias
2. The first problem that crept into the early church was (a) the dishonesty and death of Ananias and Sapphira (b) the problem of favouritism (c) The problem of food (d) The problem of leadership
3. The seven deacons of the early church had the primary role of (a) baptizing (b) preaching (c) healing (d) daily distribution
4. The couple who died for lying to the Holy Spirit was (a) Joseph and Mary (b) Ahab and Jezebel (c) Ananias and Sapphira (d) Elkanah and Peninnah
5. The man noted for his generosity in the early church was____. (a) Simon (b) Peter (c) Barnabas (d) Stephen.

Theory

1. What social problems brought about the appointment of deacons in the early church?
2. Mention five social problems facing the church today.

 

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