The first step of connection is SALVATION

The second step of connection is BAPTISM

The third step of connection is FELLOWSHIP

Fellowship involves ATTENDANCE (v42)

People were committed to corporate worship

The Apostle’s teaching (preaching/teaching)Fellowship (koinonia…sharing)Breaking of Bread (communion/ordinances)Prayer (worship/prayer)

This involved CONSISTENCY (continually)

This involved COMMITMENT (devoted, can be translated “addicted”)

This commitment is needed today (Hebrews 10:24-25)

“To stimulate” = to stir up

“Forsaking” = more than inconsistent attendance. It means to leave behind, forsake or abandon

This produces encouragement and is even more important the closer we get to the Lord’s return

Biblical Fellowship includes attendance but involves much more than just attendance

Fellowship literally means “a communion.” It means to have something in common…a common participation

It describes a community in which individuals willingly pledge to share, to be in submission to each other, to support one another, bear one another’s burdens, build up each up in our walk with the Lord

Awe (phobos) = fear or holy terror; written in the imperfect tense showing continual action

This awe was caused by:

The PRESENCE of God

The POWER of God (signs and wonders)

“Had all things in common” = this is not total communal living but rather unity of purpose in living

The result was in meeting each other’s needs

All verbs are in the imperfect tense = continual action

They were even willing to sell their possessions in order to meet the vital needs of others (not compulsory, Acts 5:4)

Their was a relational activity that went beyond corporate meetings but also in individual homes

These small group relationships provided much needed accountability that caused growth and made it less likely to stumble in sinful traps

Step 1: Trust Christ and be baptized

Step 2: Become a member of the church

Step 3: Join (or lead) a life group