Question 6
(a) Describe how fellowship was demonstrated in the early church
(b) In what two ways is fellowship in church today different from the early days?
Observation
The popularity of this question was on the average. The B part was less challenging to the candidates as compared to the A part. The candidates were familiar with the topics and characteristic of oneness that featured in the early church. On the whole, the performance of this question was above average;
A. HOW FELLOWSHIP WAS DEMONSTRATED IN THE EARLY CHURCH (ACTS 2:42-47; 4:32-37, 5:1-11; 6:2-6)
- After the arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, about 3,000 converts were made and became part of the early church.
- The new converts were then baptized.
- Their lives were characterized by a strong bond of fellowship, because they were of one heart and soul.
- They owned everything in common such that there was no needy person among them because items were shared to meet one’s needs.
- They maintained a common fund into which people voluntarily contributed.
- Those who owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds into the common fund.
- Notable among the contributors was Joseph Barnabas, who sold his field and brought all the proceeds to the apostles.
- However, Ananias and Saphira wishing to win the praise of the brethren also went to sell their land.
- After selling the land they became greedy and brought only part of the proceeds to Peter.
- Peter challenged them and they fell down and died.
- Fear came upon them, and day by day the Lord added to their number.
- The disciples remained together praying and attending the temple.
- They broke bread and ate food together in their homes as they fellowshipped.
The B part was less challenging to candidates. They used their residual knowledge to answer this question as it applies to their everyday lives. They were able to point out lapses recorded in the contemporary churches compared to the early churches. Though they guessed their way through the answers, in most cases they guessed right. Points expected of candidates are outlined below.
B. HOW FELLOWSHIP IN THE EARLY CHURCH IS DIFFERENT FROM TODAY’S CHURCH.
- Church funds today are used for running the church, building schools, hospitals for the common good of all as compared to sharing in the early church
- It is only few churches today that operate communal life as the early church did.
- Only few churches today share relief items.
- Only few churches today practice the selling of properties and bringing the money into the church’s account..
- Fake signs and wonders are displayed in many of our churches today.
- Fellowships areheld in people’s homes and not only in churches in our contemporary society as compared to the early church fellowship.
- The Holy Communion was taken frequently in the early churches compared to now.
- There is not much honesty and sincerity in the churches today.