What makes a Christian community?

[James Nored]

Last Sunday, I started a new series on "A Christ-Centered Community." A classic text on Christian community is found in Acts 2:42-47:

^42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ^43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. ^44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. ^45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. ^46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ^47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Some aspects of community from this passage might include:

- Common beliefs (apostle's teaching)

- Common gathering (fellowship, believers were together, ate together)

- Common practices (breaking of bread, prayer, praising God)

- Common inspiration (everyone filled with awe)

- Common cause (they gave to anyone as he had need)

What are some additional sociological aspects of true community?

[Sixto Rivera]

In cities as Dallas, TX the diversity of cultures is in most communities. Learning and appreciating each other cultures makes a multicultural community.

[Eugene Chapin]

mutual care -- "had everything in common"