Means of Sanctification
Fellowship
Sanctification · 6 verses
Corporate fellowship with the visible church advances sanctification as believers stimulate one another to love and good works, bearing burdens, restoring the fallen, and edifying the body of Christ. The communion of saints provides accountability, encouragement, instruction, and mutual care that nourish spiritual growth and preserve individuals from doctrinal error and moral declension.
Scripture References
“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”