Acts 28:12-15 - Fellowship

Scripture:

 

Acts 28:12-15

12 After we put in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days.

13 From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and a day later a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.

14 There we found some brethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and thus we came to Rome.

15 And the brethren, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the Market of Appius and Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
NASU

 

 

Thoughts:

 

Here Paul, apostle of Christ, evangelist, theologian, minister of the gospel, and one who has seen Christ face to face, receives encouragement from other believers (verse 15). 

 

There's a subtle deception that says that maturity in Christ leads to us being completely self-sufficient.  It tells us that the more we know Christ, the less important fellowship becomes.  But look at Paul's brief list of spiritual designations.  If the Lord still used others in his life, indeed if Christ Himself wanted His closest friends with Him in His hour of need, then how much more do we need each other?

 

Matthew 26:37-38

37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed.

38 Then He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me."
NASU

 

 

Prayer:

 

Lord, thank You for giving us fellowship.  Thank You that You use other believers and me, to minister one to another.

 

Forgive me for the times I have neglected the fellowship.  Help me to be a healthy part of Your body here on Earth, looking to the needs of others, not just my own. 

 

Amen

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.