1 Thessalonians 5:11-15

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Final Instructions and Benediction

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

Acts 4:31-35

And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

They Had Everything in Common

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Question: What is the church?

Answer: The Church is God’s beloved family, united by Christ’s saving work, empowered by His Spirit, and continually training one another in sacrificial love for the glory of God.

1 John 4:9 (ESV)
“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.”