Comunidade
A comunidade cristã é essencial para o crescimento da fé. A Bíblia ensina que fomos criados para viver em comunhão — edificando-nos, encorajando-nos e servindo uns aos outros.
Viver em unidade
Os que creram eram um coração e uma alma. A comunidade primitiva partilhava tudo e vivia em harmonia e alegria.
32 And the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. And not even one man said that anything of the things that was possessed by him was his own, but all things were common to them.
42 And they were continuing steadfastly in the apostles doctrine, and in fellowship, and in the breaking of bread, and the prayers.
46 And continuing steadfastly, daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they partook of nourishment in gladness and evenness of heart,47 praising God, and having favor with the whole populace. And the Lord was adding to the church daily those being saved.
14 All these men were continuing with one accord in prayer and supplication, with women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
5 Indeed therefore Peter was kept in the prison, but fervent prayer was being made by the church to God for him.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Edificação mútua
Vivam em harmonia uns com os outros. Não haja divisões entre vós. A comunidade cresce quando cada membro contribui.
10 Now I beseech you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and there be no divisions among you, but ye may be thoroughly prepared in the same mind and in the same understanding.
13 For also by one Spirit we are all immersed into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bondmen or freemen, and we were all made to drink into one Spirit.
4 For just as we have many body-parts in one body, and all the body-parts have not the same function,5 so we, the many, are one body in Christ, and each one body-parts of each other.
16 thinking the same way toward each other, not thinking on lofty things, but accommodating to the lowly. Become not wise according to yourselves,
1 But the man who is weak in the faith, do not receive for arguments of opinions.
5 Now may the God of perseverance and of encouragement grant you to think the same way among each other, in accord with Christ Jesus,
17 Now I beseech you, brothers, watch out for those who make the divisions and the stumbling blocks, contrary to the doctrine that ye learned, and turn away from them.
Amor e compromisso
Não deixemos de congregar. O vínculo perfeito é o amor — ele une a comunidade e produz frutos que duram.
24 And let us examine each other for provocation of love and good works.25 Not forsaking the assembling together of ourselves, as is the habit of some, but exhorting, and so much the more as long as ye see the day approaching.
14 and above all these things, love, which is the bond of perfection.
3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!
8 And finally, all be like-minded, sympathetic, brother-loving, compassionate, friendly,
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also are obligated to love each other.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from every sin.
28 There is no Jew nor Greek, there is no bondman nor freeman, there is no male and female, for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.29 And if ye are Christ's, then ye are Abraham's seed and heirs according to promise.
3 Support widows, the real widows.
20 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives any man whomever I may send, receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me.