We receive inquiries asking if we have an established congregation close to the person who is writing. This is usually the result of someone watching us over the Internet or responding to our published written materials. Our response is typically no, we don’t.
Then how can someone continue to follow up with their initial interest in what the Church of the Eternal God and its affiliates are teaching?
Becoming a part of the Church of God starts when God calls a person and gives him or her understanding about His Truth. Jesus Christ said: “‘No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day’” (John 6:44).
Being called out of this world and its societies really does present challenges. Jesus gave this powerful admonition to those who would agree to follow Him:
“‘Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to “set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law”; and “a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.” He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it’” (Matthew 10:34-39).
Jesus further stated, “‘So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple’” (Luke 14:33). This concluding statement by Jesus followed His parable showing that a person must “count the cost” to be His disciple. He also said, “‘Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it’” (Matthew 7:14).
Once a person is called by God, finding association with others is plainly taught in the Bible. For that purpose, Jesus promised to build His Church and that it would not be destroyed (compare Matthew 16:18). The Church of God was founded in 31 A. D., on the Day of Pentecost, and it has continued to exist to the present time. However, the Church has at times been small in numbers, while at other times, it has had congregations in various countries. Revelation, chapters 2 and 3, provides a history of the Church from its beginning until the time of Jesus Christ’s return.
Seven Church “eras” are depicted in these two chapters of Revelation, and it is obvious that Jesus leads them with His instruction to overcome various problems and sins and to persevere in the Truth of God. Some of the Church generations proved themselves more faithful than others.
And so, today, we find that the Church of God has suffered difficulties through the teaching of wrong and compromised doctrines along with weak and self-seeking leadership. The New Testament records similar issues very early in the first generation of the Church. Still, there are those who seek to faithfully carry forward the Work of the Church of God.
With this overview, let’s consider the question of finding fellowship. With whom are we supposed to fellowship? The Apostle John gives this answer:
“[T]hat which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 3:3).
The Apostle Paul confirms this teaching:
“God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9).
We can see by these Scriptures that our fellowship begins with and is with God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ! That fellowship includes other members and those who are being called by God. John adds something very important in this regard:
“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:5-7).
The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, a younger, fellow minister, with this admonition, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16).
As we seek fellowship with fellow believers, what must be our foundational priority is the Truth of God as found in His Word. Compromised doctrines will lead us into darkness, and while we may find fellowship, it will not be with God the Father or Jesus Christ!
Still, what if an individual finds him- or herself in an isolated circumstance and not near to a congregation or even to a single other person? The first thing to realize is that he or she is not alone. God and Jesus Christ watch over those being called to salvation! We can study and meditate on God’s Word and through prayer find growth in our fellowship with God and Jesus Christ. (That is something we should do no matter how few or how many brethren may be around us.)
The Church of the Eternal God and its affiliates provide live-streaming Sabbath Services with a Chat Room option and boundless resources on our various websites. We present weekly Updates and StandingWatch and AufPostenStehen videos featuring world events in light of prophetic fulfillment.
Members do find opportunities for fellowship during the Feast of Tabernacles, and that is even true for those who cannot physically attend these services through the use of video streaming over the Internet.
We strive to do everything possible to fulfill the instruction given to indeed assemble together—especially as the return of Jesus Christ draws near. Incredible facilities have now been given to the people of God to both preach the good news of the Kingdom of God and to support those God is calling.
Take advantage of the many ways that we can all fellowship, and do so “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
Lead Writer: Dave Harris
