The first is that disciples love one another as Jesus loved us. Jesus said in John 13:33-34:

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

So we have experienced the love of God, and seek to love one another as He loved us.

The second is that disciples bear fruit. Jesus said further on in the gospel of John 15:8

My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.

This is the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

The Apostles Teaching: this refers to the Bible, which we regard as the Word of God, comprising the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. One of us may deliver a sermon or a short message. Alternatively we may share a passage of scripture to the group beforehand for meditation. Then when we come together, each one can share their insights into the passage.

Fellowship is to talk together, spending time with each other, share together and in general get to know each other better and build the bonds of friendship.

The breaking of bread is an ordinance that Jesus Himself instituted and asked us to do it in His remembrance. So just as the children of Israel had an annual Passover to remember their deliverance from slavery in Egypt, so also we remember the Lord’s death and resurrection and our salvation from sin when we break bread together.

Finally, we set time aside for individual and corporate prayer.

There is sometimes a tension between the approach adopted in the secular world and what we read in Scripture. Where these are in direct conflict, we will defer to the authority of Scripture over any human opinion.

We are not an organization – that is, we are not a registered church, or charity. We are simply a group of people who are disciples of Jesus. There is no hierarchy of offices, or paid staff, or full time workers. We all have our own secular jobs or occupations. Hence we are an organism rather than an organization. We do not ask for money, nor do we take collections. Any expenses incurred for running our meetings or other activities are paid for voluntarily by people within the fellowship.

We believe in body ministry, where every member can play a part.

Firstly, each one of us has been given a special gift, and this is to be used in the service of others. 1 Peter 4:10

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Romans 12:4-8 lists some of these gifts.

For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Secondly, we come to bless others. 1 Corinthians 14:26 says:

What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. All that we do should be done for edification.

Thirdly, we can all play a part, no one is superfluous. Ephesians 4:15-16 says:

speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

And finally, we come together with a mind to serve. Jesus Himself demonstrated servanthood when He washed His disciples feet. In Matthew 20:25-28 Jesus called His disciples to Him and said:

You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.