It is so important for believers on the Lord Jesus Christ to grow in the things of the Lord.  The Lord Jesus encourages us to “search the scriptures” (John 5:39).  He knows all about us and wants us to learn more about Him.  He has directions for our lives and truth for living in His Word and it is vital that we learn His Word and fellowship with those who also desire to learn His Word.  We are told in Hebrews 10:25, “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.”  It is important that we gather often with believers of “like precious faith” (2 Peter 1:1), so that we might worship together, learn together, and grow together.

Proverbs 27:17 tells us, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”  When we fellowship together with other saints of the Lord, we are helped and we help!  I cannot express strongly enough the importance of gathering together with fellow believers for mutual edification.  It pleases our Father and it benefits us.

Where can we find fellow believers that will help us even as we seek to help them?  Let’s begin with a warning from 2 John 1:7, “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”  While we search for those we can fellowship with, we need to make sure that they understand and faithfully teach that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who was made flesh so that He might suffer in the flesh for our sins.  Let’s read John 1:1 and 14, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”  If any person or group does not teach that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh, they are to be avoided and separated from.  They are deceivers.  They are antichrist!  Without agreement on the true Gospel, which is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ apart from any of our own works, there can be absolutely no fellowship!

Next, you need to make sure that those you seek to fellowship with are sound and grounded in the scriptures.  It was said of those in the early church, “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42).  These faithful believers learned and followed the truths taught by the apostles; they fellowshipped together in those doctrines; they broke bread by remembering the Lord often (read 1 Corinthians 11:23-31); and they prayed often together.

In order to know that the truth is being taught, it is necessary that you know what the truth is.  It is so important that each of us are students of the Word of God.  It is only through knowing God’s Word that we can discern whether someone is teaching God’s Word.  Let’s read Acts 17:10-11, “And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”  The Apostle Paul commended the Bereans because after they “received the word with all readiness of mind,” they “searched the scriptures daily” to make sure that Paul’s teachings were in accordance with the rest of the Word of God.  We must do the same!  We must search out God’s Word to make sure that we are being correctly taught.

Amos 3:3 asks this question, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”  To truly fellowship with other believers, you must agree on the basic principles of scripture.  Even then, as you grow in the knowledge of the Lord, you will want to agree on other principles so your fellowship can grow deeper.

In addition to all this, you should pray and ask the Lord to lead you to a group of believers who can help you know even more about the Lord and His Word.  Be patient and do not compromise the truth.  The Lord is honored when we are faithful to Him and His Word and He will reward your efforts by bringing you into fellowship with like-minded believers.  (347.4)