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.
And of all the multitude of men believing was one heart and one will; neither any man said anything of those things that he wielded to be his own, but all things were common to them.
and [they] were lasting stably in the teaching of the apostles, and in communing of the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
And each day they dwelled stably with one will in the temple, and brake bread about houses, and took meat with full out joy [or with gladness] and simpleness of heart,
and praised together God, and had grace to all the folk [or all the people]. And the Lord increased them that were made safe, each day into the same thing.
All these were lastingly continuing [or dwelling together] with one will, in prayer, with women, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
And Peter was kept in prison; but prayer was made of the church without ceasing to God for him.
For where twain or three be gathered in my name, there I am in the middle of them. [For where two or three be gathered in my name, there I am 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.
But, brethren, I beseech you, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all say the same thing, and that dissensions, [or schisms, or divisions, or discords], be not among you; but be ye perfect in the same wit, and in the same knowing.
For in one Spirit all we be baptized into one body, either Jews, either heathen, either servants, either free; and all we be filled with drink [or have drunk] in one Spirit.
For as in one body we have many members, but all the members have not the same deed [or the same act];
so we many be one body in Christ, and each be members one of another.
Feel ye the same thing together; not understanding, [or savouring, or cunning], high things, but consenting to meek things, [following meek fathers]. Do not ye be prudent with yourselves;
But take ye a sick man in belief, not in deemings, [or in deceptions, or disputations], of thoughts.
But God of patience and of solace give to you to understand the same thing, each into other, after Jesus Christ,
But, brethren, I pray you, that ye espy them that make dissensions and hurtings [or offences], besides the doctrine that ye have learned, and bow 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.
And behold we together in the stirring of charity, and of good works;
not forsaking our gathering together, as it is the custom to some men, but comforting [them], and by so much the more, by how much ye see the day nighing.
And upon all these things have ye charity, that is the bond of perfectness [or of perfection].
busy to keep unity of Spirit in the bond of peace.
The song of degrees. Lo! how good and how merry it is; that brethren dwell together.
And in faith all of one will, in prayer be ye each suffering with other, lovers of brotherhood, merciful, mild, meek; [Forsooth in faith all of one understanding, or will, in prayer be ye compassionate, or each suffering with other, lovers of fraternity, merciful, mild, meek;]
Ye most dear brethren, if God loved us, we owe to love each other.
But if we walk in light, as also he is in light, we have fellowship together; and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin.
There is no Jew, nor Greek, no bondman, nor free man, no male, nor female; for all ye be one in Christ Jesus.
And if ye be one in Jesus Christ, then ye be the seed of Abraham, and heirs by promise.
Honour thou [the] widows, that be very widows.
Truly, truly, I say to you, he that taketh whomever I shall send, receiveth me; and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me.