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Chapter 26

Being One Body

1. General
   1. The Church as One Body
      • God’s people form local groups, called churches
      • The many church members form one body – the body of Christ – with no overriding distinctions
      • As one body, church members meet together
      • Church members function together as one body
      • The church body grows – spiritually and numerically
      • Note: All God’s people together are the universal church
   2. Be in Unison
      • Be united as one
      • Live in peace and harmony with each other
      • Submit to one another
      • Avoid foolish controversies and quarreling
      • Disagreements and quarreling cause divisions . . .
      • . . . Quarreling can even cause ruin
      • Sometimes disputes and differences may be necessary
      • Note: Have any internal legal disputes judged by people of God
   3. Be in Fellowship
      • Have fellowship together . . .
      • . . . Believers have fellowship collectively with God and Jesus Christ
      • Participate together in church activities
      • Share together in the sufferings that come because of Jesus Christ
      • Share together in the joy that comes in being of the church
      • Share in each other’s troubles . . .
      • . . . and share in each other’s joy
      • Keep in touch about each other’s welfare – and keep the others informed of your own
      • Note: Believers share together in spiritual blessings and privileges . . .
      • . . . Believers will share together in future blessings and privileges
   4. Love Each Other (I): General
      • Love one another
      • Love one another more and more
      • Loving other Christians is indicative of being of God and Jesus Christ . . .
      • . . . Not loving other Christians has negative implications
      • Love is vital for Christian service and living
      • Further blessings of loving each other
   5. Love Each Other (II): How
      • Love is expressed with actions
      • Love each other as Jesus Christ loved us, even laying down his life
      • Love each other genuinely and earnestly
      • Love each other as brothers (and sisters)
      • Keep each other in your hearts . . .
      • . . . Long for each other
      • Greet or send greetings to each other . . .
      • . . . and welcome each other
      • Note: Obedience to God and other aspects of the faith are essential for love

2. Caring for the Body
   1. Pray for Each Other (I): General
      • Pray earnestly for other Christians
      • Pray constantly for other Christians
      • Pray for those facing persecution
      • Pray for those spreading the gospel
      • Always thank God for other Christians because of their faith and love
      • Thank and praise God because of the service of other Christians
   2. Pray for Each Other (II): What to Ask
      • Ask that other believers will live as God wants
      • Ask God to forgive them and show mercy when they do sin
      • Pray for their spiritual growth and maturity
      • Pray for them in their work for the kingdom, asking God to aid them in the work
      • Ask God to help and take care of them
      • Pronounce godly blessings on other believers . . .
      • . . . Pronouncements of blessings of God’s and Jesus Christ’s presence
      • Note: Prayer for the blessing and peace of Jerusalem
   3. Encourage Each Other
      • Encourage each other
      • Strengthen each other
      • Encourage and strengthen each other by what you say . . .
      • . . . Exhort others to continue in God’s grace
      • Encourage and strengthen each other by what you do . . .
      • . . . Do not do anything that will cause another to “stumble”
      • Comfort each other
      • Comfort those in need by visiting them
   4. Help Each Other
      • Care about and be concerned for each other
      • Consequently, help each other
      • Meet each other’s needs . . .
      • . . . Share what you have with those in need
      • Help others who are doing God’s work
      • Note: What one does for another Christian, one does for Jesus Christ

 ➜Major headings in: 26. Being One Body (and all of Unit F)

Pray for persecuted Christians