“These false teachers are like unthinking animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed. They scoff at things they do not understand, and like animals, they will be destroyed. Their destruction is their reward for the harm they have done. They love to indulge in evil pleasures in broad daylight. They are a disgrace and a stain among you. They delight in deception even as they eat with you in your fellowship meals.”
2 Peter 2:12-13 NLT
Peter continues to write about the false teachers who abounded in his day. The early Christians were particularly vulnerable to the plethora of dodgy teaching that had emerged in the First Century, and the Apostles worked hard to ensure the teachings of Jesus continued to propagate the message of God’s grace. Many heresies emerged under the heading of “false teaching” but God’s message through Jesus prevailed and left a legacy that endured. Peter’s strong and direct language perhaps communicated the extent of the problem in his day, and his impending death injected into him an urgency to warn his protégés, the early Christians in churches scattered throughout what is now modern Turkey. We find much the same message being communicated from the other Apostles – just read the early chapters of Revelation.
One place where people relax and perhaps let their guard down a bit is in a social event. The early Christians were always looking out for each other and engaged in events such as “fellowship meals”. We read the immediate response to the Gospel message in Acts 2:42, “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer“. Having a meal together was a natural part of being a Christian, and the Apostle Paul encouraged us in Romans 12:13, “When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality“. 1 Peter 4:9, “Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay“. Another reminder comes in Hebrews 13:16, “And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God“. And there are other verses, all painting a picture of normal Christian life in a community of “one anothers”. If a stranger drops by, even better. Hebrews 13:2, “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realising it!”
There are of course those Christians who prefer to be on their own. They go to church and hurry away afterwards, not wanting to be involved in the “fellowship” bit. The writer to the Hebrews has a message for them – “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25). It’s sad when that happens because in the fellowship often comes encouragement and help. There is an old proverb, “a problem shared is a problem halved”. Galatians 6:2, “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ“. We humans have been designed to socialise. Right back in Genesis 2:18, “Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”” God set out a principle that has lasted.
So the New Testament message for Christians includes the encouragement to meet with one another, and often over a meal. I can remember a lunch shared in a church room with a number of older people. We had a good time sharing stories of our younger days, and eating the sandwiches and cakes provided for us. Then there was that point when I felt a Holy Spirit nudge to share Communion, the Lord’s Supper, with those present. We had some bread left over and a jug of juice, and we had a precious time remembering what Jesus had done for us by sharing his spiritual body and blood.
We don’t have to wait for a formal Communion service because Jesus said “do this oft in remembrance of me”. There doesn’t have to be an ordained minister leading the occasion. There is nothing more precious and meaningful than sharing a meal with one another and with the Lord.
Dear Father God. When we share a meal with Your people, we are fulfilling Your desires for us. Please help us overcome our natural reticence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Being a Pilgrim 