Closeness to Christ – 7 Relationship Circles With God

Every Christian should desire to enjoy closeness with Christ. There are details in the Bible and these detailed facts are included in Holy Writ to teach us something.

In the New Testament, especially in Gospel accounts of Jesus Christ, there are seven different types of personal relationships of those who had the privilege of following Jesus when He walked on Earth. However, the Biblical account of these narratives still relates to Christians today.

From my study of Scripture, especially in the Gospels, I have found there are seven circles that show closeness to Christ, which were present during the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ and the early church that, I believe, relates specifically to the church today.

Here is a breakdown of the seven circles of human relationships from the New Testament that demonstrate the closeness shared with Christ between Him and His people today.

Closeness to Christ — The 5,000

“When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.

Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.” John 6:5-11 (KJV)

In this Gospel narrative, Jesus is feeding the 5,000 with fish and bread — an AYCE meal graciously provided by Him.

Within this massive group enjoying fish sandwiches is a mix of the devout believers, curiosity seekers, the devoted, the lazy, the agnostics, and all types in between.

While Jesus provided food for all of them, we see later that most of them sought after Him simply in the hopes of getting another free meal. They didn’t.

Today, there many who associate themselves with the name “Christian,” whether through a church, an evangelistic crusade, sharing Jesus posts on Facebook, or have religious symbols on their car, etc. These people may give some lip service to God, and He, in turn, favors them with life, health, jobs, etc.

Closeness to Christ — The 500

“After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.” 1 Corinthians 15:6 (KJV)

This is a picture of a group of true believers. This group of 500 brethren (the Bible specially calls them “brethren”) were those who believed who Jesus said He was and accepted Him as such — the Son of God, the only way to heaven. They were born-again believers, according to John 3:3. “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (KJV)

This large group of individuals had received God’s gift of eternal life, and because of that, they had God’s indwelling Holy Spirit, according to Romans 8:9b. “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (KJV)

Accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior from hell is the first thing to do in order to be close to Jesus Christ. Without this transaction, you are still on the outside.

In the Biblical account, sometime earlier there were 5,000 people looking for Jesus. Now, when the Apostle Paul referred to the group of believers in 1 Corinthians 15:6, only about 10% of that 5,000 believed on Him and followed Him closely enough so as to witness His ascension. These believers received a special gift. They saw the risen Lord ascending back into heaven and personally received a prophetic and comforting message from angelic beings.

Closeness to Christ – The 120

 “And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)” Acts 1:15 (KJV)

This group of believers represents the members of the local church. Out of the 500 who are saved, only a fraction, in this case, 120, are found continuing “steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrines, and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:42 (KJV)

These 120 individuals wanted to actively follow Jesus’ teachings.

Not all believers obeyed the command to “forsake not the assembling of yourself together,” as written in Hebrews 10:25. But those who do obey are blessed by God Himself.

Also, these believers were granted a most important gift — receiving the Holy Spirit.

Closeness to Christ — The 70

“And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:17-20 (KJV)

These are the servants in the local church. Not all who attend a local church serve in some capacity.

These 70 followers in Jesus’ time were faithful servants, close to the Lord, and He shares with them spiritual truths about Himself. Because of their willingness to serve with Him in His earthly work, He gave them powerful, special gifts over unclean spirits to cast them out, just as He was doing.

Those who make it a point to serve in the local church today have their special gifts and talents given by God and use them in service to their Lord through the ministry of a local church. Those who serve God today though a local church understands the importance of spending time with Christ Jesus. They desire the “abundant life” that Jesus promised His followers.

Closeness to Christ — The Twelve

“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” Matthew 10:1 (KJV)

Out of the 70 servants, Jesus chose 12 Apostles who were with our Lord from the start of His earthly ministry to its finish (barring Judas Iscariot). These 12 were spiritual men, leaders in the local church.

This is seen in Acts 6:2, they were daily found in the Word of God, in spiritual discipline. The 12 Apostles were close to Jesus and learned from Him.

These 12 specific, problem-solving men will be the ones to judge the 12 tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28 and Luke 22:30). As His close companions, these men were more than servants. Jesus calls these men His “friends” in John 15:15.

Today, the office of an apostle is finished, but there are men, and women, too, who serve as spiritual problem solvers. When something is broken it is up to them, using the Word of God, to help fix it, according to God’s plan. This type of person has, through their private devotions, desired and worked for a closer relationship with Christ Jesus, and as such they can be used in a more public and spiritual way. These are spiritual leaders in a local church — God’s house today.

Closeness to Christ — The Three

“And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.” Matthew 17:1-2 (KJV)

Of the circle of Christ’s 12 friends, there are three who were especially close to Him. Servants and friends, definitely, but these three men were very special. These three were chosen by God to have a more intimate relationship with Christ than the others.

In Galatians 2:9, the Apostle Paul calls James, Peter (Cephas) and John “pillars.” These three men were very close to Jesus in His earthly ministry, and after He ascension they continued His work to such an extent that they held up the local church(es) as “pillars.”

In today’s application, there are a few people in any local church who are considered core people. These are people whom the pastor can always depend upon, and usually enjoys a close relationship with them.

Without those faithful few, but strong, pillars in the local church, the church would collapse.

Closeness to Christ — The One

“Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.” John 13:23 (KJV)

The single beloved. Though he is not mentioned by name, I believe the “beloved one” of Jesus in His earthly ministry was the Apostle John.

In John 19:26-27, the Lord entrusted the earthly care of His mother to John. This incident is only mentioned in John’s Gospel.

Later, in the Epistles of John, he shows his own closeness and love for the Lord by the way he admonishes Christians to walk in holiness and in love. To John, the beloved one, was given the fantastic revelation that is recorded in the Book of Revelation.

The Old Testament counterpart of the Book of Revelation is the Book of Daniel. Daniel is also called “greatly beloved” in Daniel 9:23, 10:11 and verse 19. It is not a far stretch to understand that those whom Christ considers “beloved” would share in His deep insight and knowledge.

This solitary beloved one is a type of the pastor of a local church. The office of a godly pastor is a holy place in the service of Christ.

As you consider the seven circles of closeness to Christ, you can see that it is your choice to move from a distant circle and into a closer circle. The closer you are to Christ, who is the center, the more gifts and blessings He will give you.

(This article was adapted from a sermon given on Wednesday, August 7, 2019, by Joseph W. Humes at Victory Bible Church in Paxinos, Pennsylvania.)

For more Bible study to help you get closer to Christ, check out Repentance and Forgiveness.

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