“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.” (Eph 2.19)
The NT Church concerns community. Throughout the book of Acts and into the letters, the theme of Christians being part of a community is so strong.
My rule-of-thumb is that every use of ‘you’ in the Bible is plural, unless the context demands otherwise. This flies in the face of our western individualistic culture which is so damaging.
Two incidents in Matthew’s gospel illustrate this difference.
Whilst Jesus is walking on the water, Peter comes to him, sees the wind and begins to sink. As He reaches out to Peter, Jesus comments; ‘you of little faith.’ Clearly the context demands that this is a singular ‘you.’ Jesus addressed Peter. The other disciples were in the boat. (Matt 14.31).
In contrast, after Jesus had ‘offended’ the Pharisees, Jesus spoke to the Twelve privately, ‘are you still do dull!’ They had failed to understand His teaching. This use of ‘you’ was clearly plural. He was speaking to twelve. (Matt 15.16).
When Paul left Lystra (Acts 14), some from Antioch and Iconium stoned him and dragged him outside the city. We read (v 20) that the disciples gathered around him; whereupon he got up and was able to go on his way. Obviously, the disciples prayed; probably they laid their hands on him. But Luke simply records that the disciples gathered around him. It was this corporate strength that changed the situation for Paul. Community makes a difference!
Church is not simply a convenient way of being a Christian. It is the essential community of power, where we enjoy the promises and presence of God.