Generally:
The atmosphere among Christians is love, with the “one anothers” showing specific manifestations of love: mutually encouraged by our faith, devoted to one another, honoring others above ourselves, submitting to one another, accepting one another just as Christ accepts us (as many as 54 “one another” descriptions exist). These are at play always in our lives together throughout the week. They would likewise be evident descriptions of how we interact when gathered.
Specifically:
| Scripture | What they did together | Why they did this |
| Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common. . . 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, | Stedfastly devoted to:
a. learning about Jesus from those who were His witnesses Miracles evident by the apostles |
They had become believers, and this is what Christians do (see context, Acts 2:32,36-41) First response of believer is joy, humility, and glad obedience (beginning with baptism and continuing in their devotion to God and to one another) |
| I Cor 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. | Enacted a sharing of broken bread and wine, during a meal (in the context of the chapter) that represents our Lord’s Body given for us and the blood of a new covenant confirmed by His blood. | Do this in remembrance of me… for every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again. |
| I Cor 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. . . 29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. | One of us might bring a song, another a teaching, another insights.
Multiple people can share; in fact, all can share. We make room for each other (v.30) |
All things that are done are to be towards building us all up—strengthening us—in our faith and walk.
So that all may learn, and all may be comforted. Pooling our various enrichments by Him so that what each of us learns and experiences can benefit all of us. |
| Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. | Meet together consistently, even when inconvenient
Consider one another (preparatory, throughout the week having each other in our minds and hearts, asking ourselves how He would have us be a channel of encouragement for each other) |
To motivate one another to continuing growth in love
to motivate one another to actions that reflect God’s love |
| Col 4:16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. | Read Paul’s letter (puiblicly, for all to hear)
Shared their letter with those at nearby Laodicea, a short 10 miles away Read Paul’s letter to Laodicea |
Mutual care by sharing resources extends beyond your own church (city). |
| Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; | Sang psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs together
Made melody in their hearts to God |
You know how a song can play over and over in your head? Yeah, that’s good for when our minds are occupied with these songs and words |
| Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. | Taught and admonished one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
Sang with thankfulness to God |
The words are important
a form of mutual edification Helps the message of Christ dwell richly, deeply, in our lives |
| I Cor 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. . . 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. | Called a meeting together
Threw the unrepentant sinner out from the congregation They stopped fellowshipping with such Christians, including no longer sharing meals with them (weekly gathering and otherwise) |
We are not to embrace Christians among us who continue freely indulging in sin, including sexual sin, greed, worshipping idols, abusive, alcoholics, or those who cheat others.
Not to punish the person but to bring about their change of heart, so that the person will wake up and turn from their sin (upon which they would be welcomed with open love again.) see 2 Cor 2:6-8 “where serious, ongoing, and unrepentant sin is accepted or ignored, the person and the church misrepresents Christ to the world “ 1 Pet 2:9 |
| Matt 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. | Solved personal issues privately if possible.
Solved the issue with the help of 1 or 2 others if possible Involved the whole church, refuse the person further fellowship |
Rather then building parties and divisions over hurts and offenses, we should minimize their impact, resolving things privately if possible
The offended person needs to seek reconciliation |