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And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine
and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2 v 42.
In this study we shall consider the topic of fellowship, but as an additional reading, let us read from
I John 1 vv 3-7.
"That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that you also may have fellowship with us: and
truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you,
that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that
God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness,
we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another,
and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."
This is again a study in the practical issues of the life of faith. We started by examining the idea of being filled
with the Spirit. We cannot do anything for God unless we know, not simply the work of the new birth, but the
fulness of the Spirit.
The disciples waited in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from high. There is
nothing that we can do of ourselves for God. We must be vessels in His service, filled with the Holy Spirit. It is
what the Holy Spirit does. When the Holy Spirit comes, He will reprove the world of sin, of righteousness and of
judgment. We cannot do it. We are no good to God if we try to go out in our own strength and power. The
disciples would have been no good, but filled with the Spirit, what a tremendous effect they had. And so can
we. Jesus said that without Him we can do nothing. That is very important as a practical issue.
Lots of Christians are struggling, wondering how to live their lives, wondering how to be pleasing to God. Be filled
with the Spirit! Of course, we have looked at what that phrase in Ephesians means: it does not simply mean
to be full of the Spirit - that is assumed. The command here is a command to Spirit-filled believers, to be filled
with what the Holy Spirit was supplying. The construction is such that the Holy Spirit is presented as the agent
who fills. So we can translate the phrase as 'Be filled by the Spirit." Let the Holy Spirit fill you with all that He
desires.
Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit came He would lead us into all truth, that He would speak of Jesus
and glorify Him. Day by day, as we go on being filled by the Spirit, we are letting the Holy Spirit minister those
things that are needful in our lives. This is practical, not a course of 'how-to' lessons, but letting the Lord do the
work.
Then there is sound doctrine. How important that is! Of course, many nowadays, go all for the 'being led of the
Spirit' side, but, through neglect of the Scriptures, go astray on sound doctrine. We need to know the Word of
God.
I am persuaded that if we are being filled by the Spirit and if we know sound doctrine, we shall want to do
these things which are the subject of our studies in practical issues. We will not have that attitude which regards
prayer and Bible reading as a chore to be done before we can get on with the rest of the day. Now people often
think that I am dispensing with a disciplined life, and advocating that prayer and reading be done when one feels
like it. No, I do believe that discipline is necessary, that one should set aside a regular time for reading the Word
and for prayer every day.
If you are filled with the Spirit you will want to. You will want to defeat those weaknesses of the flesh which
otherwise hinder progress. Then the whole of your day will be lived as unto the Lord.