Fellowship

As so many are seeking fellowship outside of the traditional walls of American religion, we are at the threshold of a new hope, or I should say not new, but renewed hope.  Many of us truly believe fellowship comparable to the days of the apostles may be at hand.  That is exciting!  To think we may actually be living in the days Peter spoke of in Acts 2, as he quoted from the book of Joel.  While it is exciting, there is also a heaviness that comes with that hope.  If we are the last or nearly last generation before Messiah returns, that means tribulation such as the world has never seen is at hand.  If we are nearing the end of days as many of us believe, that means persecution will increase and intensify.  If we are heading back to ministries like first century believers, fellowship will either be sparse or communities will gather to work together.

Naturally, I don't plan to form a community with those of other faiths, but even amongst those of claiming to believe Scripture, we're pretty splintered and fragmented.  This is where I am truly thankful, although frequently frustrated and heart broken for social media.  Unlike Peter, who went with two guys he'd never met to meet another guy he'd never met, Cornelius; we have the chance to chat with folks before making journeys.  Paul had a vision of a man in Macedonia asking for help, and so he set out that way.  We've really got it easy . . . Perhaps that's why the happenings of Acts just really aren't happening.  Chances are when serious persecution sets in, the minor differences won't be so major.

In the past few years, I've been quite vocal about the vision for the Land of Goshen to be a gathering place for a small community.  I received this vision on the smaller place, Ein Gedi, and then was led to a larger place; so I'm preparing.  In this preparation, although I feel pretty isolated so far in hopes of fellowship, I've been given time and opportunity to learn a few things about what fellowship is not.  First and foremost, fellowship is not a mutual disdain for another belief.  I have traditional Jewish friends who have not yet seen Y'hshuwah as Messiah, as well as friends who are traditional Christians that believe Torah is obsolete.  I get along with both groups to a point, while also acknowledging the difference.

I've been amazed at the number of Christians who have left the church, but still believe what it taught.  I've also been devastated by the number of Christians who have left the church, then denied Y'hshuwah.  I can agree that the modern American church bears little resemblance to anything mentioned in the New Testament, except Laodicea; but turning from Messiah means hopelessness, eternal hopelessness.

In the search for fellowship, or the attempt to remain open to it, the main thing I have come to realize is a mutual connection over a shared nonbelief is not a foundation for fellowship.  For instance, two people agreeing that Pastor So-and-so is not preaching right, is not fellowship.  The two people could be wrong, or Pastor So-and-so may be in error, even a wolf in sheep's clothing, but that still isn't the foundation of the Word for fellowship.  That would be my guess as to the foundation of so many denominations, though.

Judaism is a bit different.  There are just varying degrees of interpreted obedience.  At last count, there were 8 or 9 sects of Judaism including those who believe Messiah has come.  Naturally, that is the most fragmented group.  Most Orthodox Jews agree on most levels of lifestyle and worship.  There are little differences between Conservative congregants.  Reform Judaism leaves a great deal more to open interpretation, therefore more differences.

I'm saying all this to say this.  When fellowship is truly founded on the Rock who is Y'hshuwah Messiah, the Word in the flesh; I believe most of the doctrinal differences will dissolve away and those that don't will be handled with grace.  There are still so many differences in counting the days, the new month, etc.  The day is coming when these differences become small or the communities gather accordingly.  Since we are all so sure Messiah will straighten it all out and bring unity, that is my prayer now.  That His kingdom would come and be revealed to His people in us, now.  We may not have to wait for His physical return, if we, His sheep, are receptive to His Voice.  He will bring us together for the glory of The Father.

 . . . and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.  John 10:4