Communion and Fellowship SS3 Christian Religious Studies (CRS) Lesson Note

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.

Identify the characteristics of the early Christian community.

They all lived as a community sharing, Fellowshipping, praying and praising God.

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 proceeds at the apostles’ feet for the common use of all.

There was a 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.

PROBLEMS OF THE EARLY CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY AND SOLUTIONS – Act 5:111  

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 be 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. The 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.

The issue of women’s ordination, So many pastors taking the work of God as part-time duty, Local traditions clashing with Christian values and ethics, Stealing of church funds, The urge to get rich overnight by pastors, Proliferation of churches, Lack of unity among members, Fight for positions of authority, Differences in doctrine, The legitimacy or otherwise of polygamy.

LESSON TO LEARN

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