The Fellowship that Builds Our Faith

Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself (John 18: 15-18).

This scene is filled with disappointment and denial. The Holy Spirit inspired John the evangelist to report that two disciples followed Jesus after He was arrested, bound, and brought before the high priest’s father-in-law Annas. That’s what disciples do. Disciples follow their teacher. In fact, we have learned that Jesus said His true disciples not only follow Him but they embrace the truth of their leader… “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples’” (John 8:31). At another time, Jesus taught that maturing disciples who followed Him closely and immersed themselves in the truth He taught would become more like Him… “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40). Here are two disciples courageous enough to follow Jesus even into the fortress of His enemies, yet one of them, “Simon Peter” denied being called His disciple. Scholars, preachers, and commentators have speculated extensively about why Peter denied Christ. Today, the Holy Spirit takes us in another direction as He leads us deeper into truth. Our Teacher reveals three truths here that will nurture and strengthen a closer walk with Jesus for diligent disciples. Today we learn about the fellowship that builds our faith.

In this account of Peter’s first denial we see that discipleship is not an event, but is a maturing relationship that is nurtured through close fellowship with Christ. Serious disciples that want to see as Christ does, think as Christ does, speak as Christ does and do the things Christ would do must stay close to Christ. God’s word teaches that when our fellowship with Jesus is close, we are confronted by His glory and the Holy Spirit transforms us and makes us more like Him… “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

In this account of Peter’s first denial we see the power of fellowship with other believers to encourage disciples to stay close to Christ. As the distance between Peter and Jesus increased, “the other disciple… brought Peter in”. Serious disciples that want to stay close to Christ need to stay close to each other. God’s word promises encouragement and strengthening faith in fellowship with other believers… “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

In this account of Peter’s first denial we see how unholy fellowship with the world drives us away from faith building fellowship with Christ. After his first denial the distance between Peter and Jesus increased and he found it easier and more comfortable to hang out with the servants and officers who had arrested his Savior. In the company of his enemies Peter was, “standing and warming himself”. Serious disciples that want increasing faith to see and reflect the glory of Christ to the world must stay away from the attraction of the world. God’s word warns about the subtle, corrupting power of friendship with the world to drive followers away from Christ… “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4).

As we grow up into Christ and we stay close to Him and to other disciples, we will be blessed by…

The Fellowship that Builds Our Faith.