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.
The Believers Share Their Possessions
The group of believers was one in mind and heart. None of them said that any of their belongings were their own, but they all shared with one another everything they had.
They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meals and the prayers.
Day after day they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts, praising God, and enjoying the good will of all the people. And every day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.
They gathered frequently to pray as a group, together with the women and with Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.
So Peter was kept in jail, but the people of the church were praying earnestly to God for him.
For where two or three come together in my name, I am there with them."
Edificação mútua
Vivam em harmonia uns com os outros. Não haja divisões entre vós. A comunidade cresce quando cada membro contribui.
Divisions in the Church
By the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ I appeal to all of you, my friends, to agree in what you say, so that there will be no divisions among you. Be completely united, with only one thought and one purpose.
In the same way, all of us, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether slaves or free, have been baptized into the one body by the same Spirit, and we have all been given the one Spirit to drink.
We have many parts in the one body, and all these parts have different functions. In the same way, though we are many, we are one body in union with Christ, and we are all joined to each other as different parts of one body.
Have the same concern for everyone. Do not be proud, but accept humble duties. Do not think of yourselves as wise.
Do Not Judge Others
Welcome those who are weak in faith, but do not argue with them about their personal opinions.
And may God, the source of patience and encouragement, enable you to have the same point of view among yourselves by following the example of Christ Jesus,
Final Instructions
I urge you, my friends: watch out for those who cause divisions and upset people’s faith and go against the teaching which you have received. Keep 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.
Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good. Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.
And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity.
Do your best to preserve the unity which the Spirit gives by means of the peace that binds you together.
In Praise of Living in Peace#HEBREW TITLE: By David.
How wonderful it is, how pleasant,
for God’s people to live together in harmony!
Suffering for Doing Right
To conclude: you must all have the same attitude and the same feelings; love one another, and be kind and humble with one another.
Dear friends, if this is how God loved us, then we should love one another.
But if we live in the light—just as he is in the light—then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin.
So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free people, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are the descendants of Abraham and will receive what God has promised.
Show respect for widows who really are all alone.
I am telling you the truth: whoever receives anyone I send receives me also; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me."