PACO 501-D02_ Research Paper Proposal
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Liberty University *
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Philosophy
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Jan 9, 2024
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Uploaded by mar07shai
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Research Proposal for
One of the Biblical Purposes of the Church: Fellowship
Submitted to Dr. Rodney Phillips
in fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of the Practical Book Review
PACO 501-D02
Foundational Doctrines for Pastoral Counselors
by
Marshai Taylor-Aulton
August 9, 2022
Working Thesis Statement
Throughout this research paper, I will share the basis, nature, and responsibility of one
the Biblical purposes of the Church which is Christian fellowship. I will also share what the
dangers are when an individual loses Christian fellowship within the body of Christ.
The Need for the Study
The basis of Christian Fellowship begins with an individual becoming one with their
Creator who is the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and having an overall accurate understanding of
their identity and their purpose as to why he/she was planted on this earth and formed for such a
time as this. The enemy’s schemes are to cause division, isolation, and destruction to believers
and unbelievers because he knows that when there is agreement and accurate understanding then
his demonic kingdom is torn down and Jesus is glorified. Pastoral counselors understanding the
theological implications of the Holy Spirit, Common Grace, and conviction aids in their ability to
be able to effectively help counselees navigate tough times as well as understand the importance
of Christian fellowship.
The Outline of the Study
Introduction
It is more common than not, to become lost due to isolation, fear, and self-sustainment.
Often traumas throughout a person’s life can cause one to want to distant his/herself from
building long-lasting friendships and relationships out of fear of trusting, being disappointed,
rejected or abandoned. The pastoral counselor must help that individual to unpack, heal, and
navigate through their pains and then help them to see what healthy and Christ-centered
friendships and relationships exemplify. I will give some theological implications of fellowship
for pastoral counselors, as it is imperative to be able to encourage counselees in their
intentionality to stay in connection and relationship with other brothers and sisters in Christ.
Biblical/Exegetical Studies Supporting
1.
The
Basis
of Christian Fellowship
1 John 1: 3-
John was writing to the church the
importance of Christian fellowship. Christian fellowship is grounded in the testimony of
the word of God. Each person has their own testimony of what God has done for him/her
and through him/her. In that testimony, sharing with other brothers and sisters in Christ, is
where faith, community, and accountability is formed. True fellowship intertwines social
and spiritual interconnection, which occurs as one grows in their intimate relationship
with Christ.
Fellowship
in the Greek means “
koinōnia”,
emphasizing communion, joint
participation, and intimacy. The Blue Letter Bible so beautifully defined fellowship as “a
gift jointly contributed, a collection, a contribution, as exhibiting an embodiment and
proof of fellowship.”
2.
The
nature
of christian fellowship
(Acts 2:4-42)
the word explains the nature of Christian
fellowship where the people of God came together in one place for Pentecost. Not
everyone was Jewish, but everyone there was committed to Christ by praying and they
were focused on being empowered by the Holy Spirit. They did not care who heard them
speaking in tongues and in their heavenly languages. Verses 32-37 hone in on all of them
coming together on one accord and receiving teachings from the apostles who followed
the teachings of Jesus. During Pentecost, they spent time eating together and
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fellowshipping with breaking bread and prayer. “In the Greek the definite article occurs
before the word ‘prayer.’ The text actually says, ‘to the prayers.’ They devoted
themselves ‘to
the
breaking of bread and to
the
prayers.’ Obviously, that is a reference to
something formal – to worship in which the people got together and praised God.
3.
The
dangers
of losing Christian fellowship: Sin (I Cor. 10:16, 21) - Dangers such as
isolation, fear, destruction, and self-sustainment. Another danger of losing Christian
fellowship is destruction. Without accountability, the honesty/integrity of a brother/sister
in Christ, and receiving direction and wisdom from wise counsel (as there is wisdom in a
multitude of counsel
Proverbs 15:22
) destruction is inevitable. One can continuously go
through cycles of depression, unplanned pregnancies, poverty, lack of self-esteem,
hopelessness, etc. Destruction does not only sum up to disasters in the natural (violence,
murder), but also spiritual destruction can occur. Destruction can also mean self-
sabotaging behaviors which can lead to one attempting to sustain themselves on their
own without trust in God and without a Christ-centered community of believers
surrounding them.
4.
The
Responsibilities
of Christian fellowship
(James 5:16), (Eph. 5:11; 1 Tim. 5:20),
(Gal. 6:2) -
There is power in prayer and agreement when the saints walk in humility and
confess their faults to one another. Prayer is the responsibility of the believer. A huge part
of bearing one another’s burdens is to cover one another. Galatians 6:1-3, stresses the
importance of the universal church and members of it to work together to aid in the
common good. Helping someone for example with their day to day living is honoring to
God.
For example, in Galatians 2:11-21, when Paul corrected Peter at Antioch, he
corrected him in love. Rebuking sin is imperative, as the goal of every believer should be
to walk in righteousness and in truth, and here is where Paul wanted to remind Peter of
this and cover him.
Theological Implications of fellowship for Pastoral counselors: Holy spirit, common grace,
and conviction
-
Common grace is grace that is extended to believers and unbelievers. Common grace is
grace that is undeserved, which everyone experiences. God operates in three categories of
common grace such as moral provision, divine physical provision, and divine intellectual
provision. The doctrine of the Holy Spirit is important because in a culture that stresses
the experiential, it is primarily through the Holy Spirit’s work that we feel God’s presence
within, and the Christian life is given a special tangibility.
-
The counselee at any time can decide to repent and have a close intimate relationship
with Jesus.
Conclusion
Everyone is a leader in some form or fashion.Whether within their career fields, as
students in a classroom leading by example to their peers, or an individual that serves within
their church and/or ministry. Becoming a righteous servant and Christ and leader with the intent
to uplift, strengthen, encourage, and properly deal with conflicts within and outside of an
organization/community, requires that person to be able to face and conquer those things that
have caused him/her pain, as well as assistance from the Holy Spirit. Pastoral counseling can
also aid in the healing and restoration process of one’s journey. In this space, is where authentic
and healthy Christian fellowship can take place.
Bibliography
Erickson, Millard J., and L. Arnold Hustad.
Introducing Christian Doctrine
. Edited by L. Arnold
Hustad. Third edition. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015.
Lambert, Heath.
A Theology of Biblical Counseling : The Doctrinal Foundations of Counseling
Ministry
. Grand Rapids: HarperCollins Christian Publishing, 2016.
Maxwell, John C.
Be a People Person : Effective Leadership Through Effective Relationships
.
Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2007.
Maxwell, John C.
Winning with People : Discover the People Principles That Work for You
Every Time
. Nashville, Tenn: Nelson Books, 2004.
Protestant Episcopal church in the U.S.A. Board of missions. Committee to consider means to
reach the more neglected with Christian instruction.
The church's mission to working-men, or,
The Power of Christian Fellowship and Sympathy : A Report to the Board of Missions of the
Protestant Episcopal church in the United States, October, 1863. Philadelphia: J.S. McCalla, pr.,
1863. Sabin Americana: History of the Americas, 1500-1926.
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CY0100931367/SABN?
u=vic_liberty&sid=
summon&xid
=545911f4&pg
=1.
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