Which should take priority – fellowship or evangelism?
Question:
Acts 2:46 states that they would meet every day. Today, with modern schedules, jobs, and family demands, daily gatherings seem unrealistic, but is this wrong thinking? To what extent is the daily fellowship model in Acts 2:46 an expectation for Christians, and how should believers today practically live out this passage?
Scripture encourages strong ties with other Christians, too (Hebrews 10:24-25; Galatians 6:10). Is it wrong or unwise to maintain close friendships with people who are not Christians? How should such relationships be approached biblically and wisely? For example, is going out for breakfast, dinner, etc., something that should only happen if we are sharing the gospel? If it is unwise, how might one go about reducing these relationships while still keeping the relationship in a place to be able to share the gospel?
Within my area, many congregations host events such as songfests and Bible quizzes, often giving themselves names or labels. Is it biblically acceptable for groups within congregations to adopt specific names for fellowship activities, or is this a non-issue?
Finally, Bible study classes often divide by age and gender for targeted teaching, but fellowship is different- is this correct? If so, what should be the balance between whole-congregation fellowship and age/gender specific events? Which should be prioritised?
On a separate note entirely, if a congregation prioritizes fellowship over evangelism, will this be something they will be judged on? Does evangelism have to be as a whole congregation, or does doing this in each one's individual life constitute church work?
Do you have any pointers on effective evangelism, too?
Kind regards.
Answer:
"They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved" (Acts 2:42-47).
Acts 2:42 refers to the worship of the original church, whereas Acts 2:46 discusses the lives of the brethren.
Meeting Daily:
- "Why don’t you meet daily?"
- "Daily Religion"
- "Is Sunday the only day of worship, or can we worship God any day?"
Fellowship:
Fellowship is not something that is done; it is something that exists. It is a state of being, much like friendship. Friends do things together, but doing something with another person doesn't make you friends. The members of the church are to be in fellowship with one another. Because we have fellowship, we do things together; however, the things we do are not what causes fellowship. See:
Fellowship doesn't only exist when the whole congregation is together. Notice in Acts 2:46, people were having meals at each other's homes. I'm sure it wasn't the whole congregation, yet the sharing of meals shows that fellowship existed in the church.
Worldly Friends:
As people become involved in spiritual matters, they find that they have less and less in common with worldly people. We have to live in this world to reach people with the gospel message. "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world" (John 17:14-16). However, we need to be careful about close ties with worldly people.
"Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God and they shall be My people. Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate," says the Lord. "And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me," says the Lord Almighty. Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (II Corinthians 6:14-7:1).
The problem concerns influence. "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good morals'" (I Corinthians 15:33).
Naming Events:
I can't think of a reason why naming an event would be harmful.
Evangelism:
You don't play one of God's commands off another. You don't say one is more important than another unless God says so. This was the problem the Pharisees had. "For God said, 'Honor your father and mother,' and, 'He who speaks evil of father or mother is to be put to death.' But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God," he is not to honor his father or his mother.' And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition" (Matthew 15:4-6). In your example, we are called to be in fellowship and to spread the Gospel. The spreading of the gospel is both a work of the church and the work of individual Christians. Working together to spread the Gospel is an act of fellowship. One does not preclude the other.
Regarding effective evangelism, see:
