Common Purpose and Shared Destiny in Christian Community
Christian community is characterized by a common purpose and shared destiny, rooted in believers' union with Christ and with one another. This fellowship, often termed the "communion of saints," involves a deep spiritual connection and mutual participation in the life of faith [1, 2].
The concept of a shared destiny is fundamentally tied to the Christian understanding of salvation and the believer's relationship with God. Through faith, individuals are united with Christ Jesus, sharing in God's glory and blessings, and experiencing resurrection both in the present and in the future [8]. This union with Christ is so profound that believers are described as being "in Christ" and Christ being "in us" [4]. This intimate connection extends to the Father as well, as Christ prayed "that they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they may be one in us" [14, John 17:21]. This unity is not merely symbolic but is a spiritual reality, knitting believers together through the indwelling Spirit of the Father and the Son [5].
This shared spiritual reality translates into a common purpose for the Christian community. The apostle Paul describes gentiles as "joint-heirs, and a joint-body and joint-sharers of His promise in Christ through the gospel" [1, Ephesians 3:6]. This implies a collective inheritance and a shared identity as members of one body. The purpose of this community includes seeking God with a whole heart and soul, doing good and right, loving what God has chosen, and abstaining from evil [3]. It also involves practicing truth, righteousness, and justice [3].
The early Christian community exemplified this common purpose through practical expressions of fellowship. They were united in heart and mind, willingly sharing their possessions to meet the needs of other believers [17, Acts 4:32-35]. This sharing was voluntary, driven by Christian love and concern, and aimed at addressing pressing needs within the community [7]. The Lord's Supper, for instance, is considered a form of communion because it signifies fellowship between Christ and his disciples, and among the disciples themselves [4, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17].
The common purpose also encompasses mutual support and edification. Believers are called to pray for one another, offer exhortation, and provide mutual comfort [3, 2 Corinthians 1:11; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 10:25; 1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11]. This communal life is marked by "a kiss of charity" and peace among those in Christ Jesus [2, I Peter 5:14]. The goal of ministry within this community is for all believers to deepen their understanding and experience of the Christian faith, gaining a profound knowledge of God's Son, and maturing into the likeness of Christ [18, Ephesians 4:13]. This pursuit of Christ-likeness is a central agreement among Christians, regardless of other differences [6].
The shared destiny of believers means that they face life's challenges together, knowing that afflictions are common to all and are directed by God for their good and his glory [9, Job 5:7; Psalm 34:19; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10]. This shared experience of suffering and joy strengthens their bond and underscores their common cause in Christ [13, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18]. The ultimate hope is an everlasting good in Christ Jesus, where nothing can separate them from God's love [9, Romans 8:35-39].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion of Saints — According to the prayer of Christ -- Joh 17:20,21. Is with God. -- 1Jo 1:3. Saints in heaven. -- Heb 12:22-24. Each other. -- Ga 2:9; 1Jo 1:3,7. God marks, with his approval -- Mal 3:16. Christ is present in -- Mt 18:20. In public and social worship -- Ps 34:3; 55:14; Ac 1:14; Heb 10:25. In the Lord's supper -- 1Co 10:17. In holy conversation -- Mal 3:16. In prayer for each other -- 2Co 1:11; Eph 6:18. In exhortation -- Col 3:16; Heb 10:25. In mutual comfort and edification -- 1Th 4:18; 5:11. In mutual sympathy and kindness -- Ro 12:15; Eph 4:32”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Communion — Fellowship with God (Gen. 18:17-33; Ex. 33:9-11; Num. 12:7, 8), between Christ and his people (John 14:23), by the Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14; Phil. 2:1), of believers with one another (Eph. 4:1-6). The Lord's Supper is so called (1 Cor. 10:16, 17), because in it there is fellowship between Christ and his disciples, and of the disciples with one another.”
- Dead Sea Scrolls “Community Rule (Serekh ha-Yahad) (c. 100-75 BCE), section 1: THE COMMUNITY RULE Translated by G. Vermes 1QS COL.I . . . Book of the Community Rule, that they may seek 2. God with a whole heart and soul. and do good and right before Him as 3. He commanded by the hand of Moses and all His servants the Prophets; that they may love 4. all that He has chosen and hate all that he has rejected; that they may abstain from all evil and 5. hold fast to all good; that they may practise truth, righteousness, and justice 6. upon earth and no longer stubbornly follow a sinful heart and lustful eyes committi”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Union With Christ — As Head of the Church -- Eph 1:22,23; 4:15,16; Col 1:18. Christ prayed that all saints might have -- Joh 17:21,23. Described as Christ being in us. -- Eph 3:17; Col 1:27. Our being in Christ. -- 2Co 12:2; 1Jo 5:20. Includes union with the Father -- Joh 17:21; 1Jo 2:24. Is of God -- 1Co 1:30. Maintained by Faith. -- Ga 2:20; Eph 3:17. Abiding in him. -- Joh 15:4,7. His word abiding in us. -- Joh 15:7; 1Jo 2:24; 2Jo 1:9. Feeding on him. -- Joh 6:56. Obeying him. -- 1Jo 3:24. The Holy Spirit witnesses -- 1Jo 3:24. The gift of the Holy Spirit is an ev”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 17:21: that they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they may be one in us--The indwelling Spirit of the Father and the Son is the one perfect bond of union, knitting up into a living unity, first all believers amongst themselves; next, this unity into one still higher, with the Father and the Son. (Observe, that Christ never mixes Himself up with His disciples as He associates Himself with the Father, but says I in THEM and THEY in US). that the world may believe that thou hast sent me--sentest me. So the grand impression upon th”
- Philippians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Philippians 3:15: The apostle, having proposed himself as an example, urges the Philippians to follow it. Let the same mind be in us which was in blessed Paul. We see here how he was minded; let us be like-minded, and set our hearts upon Christ and heaven, as he did. 1. He shows that this was the thing wherein all good Christians were agreed, to make Christ all in all, and set their hearts upon another world. This is that whereto we have all attained. However good Christians may differ in their sentiments about other things, this is what they are agreed in, that Christ is a Ch”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 4:32: 4:32-35 The sharing of early believers was remarkable (see also 2:44-45; cp. 6:1). Being united in heart and mind, they willingly offered anything they possessed to meet the needs of other believers. This sharing was voluntary and without coercion, and it related to pressing needs in the community and was prompted by Christian love and concern for one another.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:6: 2:6 united with Christ Jesus: Because of this union, believers share God’s glory and blessings, and experience resurrection both now and in the future (see Rom 6:4-14; Col 2:12-13; 3:1-4).”