Communion and Fellowship – SS3 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

Fellowship is the close sharing of life, faith, goods and worship among believers, as practised by the early church after the ascension of Jesus Christ.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Explain how Matthias was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot.
2. State the characteristics of the early Christian community.
3. Describe the case of Ananias and Sapphira.
4. Explain how the problem of the neglected widows was solved.
5. List some problems facing the church today.

What is fellowship in the early church?

Fellowship in the early church was the intimate relationship that existed among the believers (brethren).

• Shared faith: they believed in Jesus Christ and learnt from the apostles.
• Shared worship: they prayed, praised God and broke bread together.
• Shared goods: they gave food and property to meet each person’s need.
• Bible references: Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 4:32-35.

How was the successor of Judas Iscariot elected? (Acts 1:15-26)

Matthias was chosen by prayer and the casting of lots to replace Judas Iscariot among the Twelve apostles.

Why was a replacement needed?

• Setting: after the ascension, the apostles and disciples, about one hundred and twenty in all, were together.
• Judas Iscariot: he had betrayed Jesus Christ and then committed suicide, leaving the Twelve incomplete.
• Peter’s speech: Peter told the group that another person must take the place of Judas.

What qualities did the new apostle need?

• Companion of Jesus: he must have been with the apostles throughout the ministry of Jesus.
• Witness: he must have seen the risen Lord and be a witness to the resurrection and ascension.
• Duty: he must preach the gospel and care for the needs of the Christian community.

How was Matthias chosen?

1. Two men were put forward: Joseph called Barsabbas (also called Justus) and Matthias.
2. The disciples prayed and asked God to show the one He had chosen.
3. They cast lots between the two men.
4. The lot fell on Matthias.
5. He was numbered among the eleven apostles.

How did the first Christian community begin?

The first Christian community began on the day of Pentecost, when thousands of new converts joined the apostles.

• Peter’s speech: after it, about three thousand people were converted and baptised.
• New community: the converts joined the apostles and lived a communal life.
• Common life: they ate together, lived together and did almost everything in common.

What were the characteristics of the early Christian community?

The early Christian community was marked by sharing, prayer, unity and joy.

• Community life: they shared, fellowshipped, prayed and praised God together.
• Common purse: there was one fund for all the disciples. Those with enough food shared it according to each person’s need.
• Sale of property: owners of lands and other property sold them and laid the money at the apostles’ feet for common use.
• Generosity: Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus, sold a field and gave the money to the apostles (Acts 4:36-37).
• Oneness: they were of one heart and mind, and worshipped God daily.
• Joy: they shared what they could afford with gladness.
• Growth: God added to their number daily.

What problems affected the early Christian community, and how were they solved? (Acts 5:1-11 and Acts 6:1-6)

The early church faced dishonesty and discrimination, and the apostles dealt with both quickly.

What was the case of Ananias and Sapphira? (Acts 5:1-11)

Ananias and Sapphira were a married couple who lied to the Holy Spirit about the price of their land and died.

1. Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold a piece of property.
2. They kept back part of the money but pretended to give all of it to the apostles.
3. Peter told Ananias that he had lied to the Holy Spirit, and Ananias fell down and died.
4. About three hours later Sapphira came in. She repeated the lie to Peter and also died.
5. Great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard of it.

• Sin: dishonesty and the wish to appear more generous than they were.
• Peter’s point: the land was theirs to keep or sell, so no one forced them to give.

How was the problem of the neglected widows solved? (Acts 6:1-6)

The problem of the neglected widows was solved when the apostles appointed seven men to manage the daily distribution of food.

• Make-up of the church: it included Hebrews, Greeks and people from other nations.
• Complaint: the Greeks accused the Hebrews of neglecting their widows in the daily distribution of food.
• Apostles’ concern: they did not want to leave the preaching of God’s word to serve tables.

1. The apostles summoned a meeting of all the disciples.
2. They asked the congregation to choose seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.
3. The seven were chosen: Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas.
4. The apostles prayed and laid hands on them.

What are some social problems facing the church today?

The church today faces problems of conduct, leadership, unity and belief.

• Women’s ordination: churches disagree on whether women may be ordained.
• Part-time ministry: many pastors treat the work of God as a part-time duty.
• Local traditions: some customs clash with Christian values and ethics.
• Stealing of church funds: money meant for God’s work is misused.
• Get-rich-quick pastors: some pastors want to become rich overnight.
• Proliferation of churches: too many churches are opened, often in competition.
• Lack of unity: members quarrel and form groups.
• Fight for positions: members struggle for places of authority.
• Differences in doctrine: churches teach different beliefs on the same matters.
• Polygamy: Christians disagree on whether it is permitted.

What lessons can be learnt from the early church?

The early church teaches that every community has problems and that honesty, fairness and unity solve them.

• Problems are common: no human organisation is free from problems of one kind or another.
• Honesty: dishonesty and lies lead to death.
• Care for the poor: the poor and less privileged should be looked after in the church.
• Focus: domestic problems should not distract the church from the main task of evangelism.

Evaluation

1. Why did the apostles need to replace Judas Iscariot, and how was Matthias chosen?
2. State four characteristics of the early Christian community.
3. What happened to Ananias and Sapphira, and why?
4. Name the seven men chosen to solve the problem of the neglected widows.
5. State three problems facing the church today.

Assignment

Write short notes on any four problems facing the church today, and state one lesson the church can learn from the problems of the early Christian community.