And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Acts 2:42, ESV
This statement from the divine record shows us God's plan for his church. In its infancy, the church of Christ was:
- Sound in doctrine
- Strong in fellowship
- Devoted in worship
- Steadfast in prayer
Why would we ever want to de-emphasize any one of these areas? Each one is vital to the healthy growth of the body of Christ. Which of these items do you suppose we may deem less important than any other? Beyond a doubt, one of the reasons the early church prospered in such a way was due to their balanced approach.
Let us all step back from time to time and be certain of our motives in all that we do. Let us never neglect to maintain healthy, Biblical teaching while pursuing unity. At the same time, let us never fail to pursue peace and brotherly kindness while defending sound doctrine. A balanced approach will cause the church to prosper and grow in a healthy way.
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