Introduction
Christians in churches often talk about fellowship, but what do they mean by it? In most cases the person has in mind potlucks, picnics, a ‘Fellowship Hall,’ or something else related to food and eating. I don’t mean to say that these things have nothing to do with fellowship, but there is so much more to it than that.
All of us hate being misunderstood. Sometimes it only takes one word out of a whole sentence that misconstrued to change the meaning of the whole sentence. A child in a Christian school was asked to draw a picture depicting the hymn, “Gladly, the Cross I’d Bear.” It was obvious from the drawing that the child thought he was to draw a picture of Gladly, the cross-eyed bear. The meaning of the words we use is important. The meanings of the inspired words of Scripture are even more important.
Do you know what ‘fellowship’ really means? What kind of definition would you give? Did you know that God commands you to fellowship with other believers? Do you know how he wants you to fellowship?
When the church first began, fellowship was very important to the members of the body. It was not only something that they enjoy, but it was something that they devoted themselves to.
Acts 2:42
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
They continually devoted themselves to fellowship. Did they with great diligence pursue potlucks and picnics? Or, was there much more to it?
Fellowship is a God-ordained priority of the church. We are supposed to devote ourselves to it. We are to enjoy it. In order for it to be a priority in each of our lives, we must understand what it is. So, lets define fellowship. Actually, we will define the Greek word, koinonia.
For fellowship to be a priority in your life you must understand 4 aspects of koinonia. The first 2 are things that are objectively true. You have it already as a Christian. The next 2 aspects deal with your subjective experience. You may not be experiencing them. We’ll talk about it more when we get there.
When you are committed to biblical fellowship you are committed to…
1. A Relationship: Sharing in Christ
I am using the word ‘relationship’ according to its most basic meaning. We use the word relationship to refer to a subjective experience sometimes. I might say, “I have a great relationship with my wife.” You would understand that we communicate with each other well, we are enjoying times together, etc. We would be using the word ‘relationship’ to describe a subjective experience. However, the reason that Tiffany and I can relate to each other is that we have a relationship. We have a piece of paper to prove that the two of us have a relationship. It is objectively truth.
I am using the word here in the objective sense. Fellowship is not only an activity; it is a relationship. If you are a Christian you have a relationship all other Christians. You have it whether or not you know it or think about it. You don’t have to do anything – you have a relationship with them.
You share a common life with other believers.
1 John 1:3
what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
The Apostle John is expressing his desire to see people share in a common life with him and with other believers. This desire of his is what motivated him to proclaim, along with the other apostles, that which he saw and heard.
When you become a Christian you share in a common life with other believers; you participate in a common life with them.
According to the Apostle Peter, you share in a spiritual house.
1 Peter 2:5
you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
You have it in common whether or not you feel it, know it, or think about it.
Paul talks frequently about how we are all part of one body. We all share in the Body of Christ.
Whether or not you are a good ‘relater,’ you still are in a relationship with all other believers. If you are to devote yourself to fellowship you must first understand that you have a relationship with other believers as wells as many responsibilities and privileges that come with that relationship.
2. A Partnership: Sharing in the work of the ministry
When we here the word ‘partnership,’ we often think of a business partnership. It sounds a little impersonal. It sounds like we are trying to get something accomplished. It sounds like there is some kind of work to be done.
Koinonia is often used to refer to a business partnership in and outside of the Bible. Luke referred to the partnership of Peter, James, and John in the fishing.
There is also a partnership spiritually speaking. All believers are partners with each other spiritually.
Philippians 1:5
in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.
Paul was thankful for the partnership that he had with the Philippians. It was a partnership in the gospel.
Paul also mentioned that James, Peter, and John considered Barnabas and himself as partners (Acts 15 and Galatians 2.9). They considered Paul and Barnabas to be on their team. There was unity among them.
All believers are in a partnership. We have an objective: to glorify God. We glorify God by edifying believers and evangelizing the lost. We are a team with a mission to accomplish.
You are on that team if you are a believer. God has chosen the team members. He wants you to be a good teammate. He wants you to be involved with the team. He wants you to carry your load. He wants you to encourage your teammates. He wants you to help your teammates be at their best.
Do you think about the fact that you are in a partnership with other believers? Do you think about how you are a teammate? Are you a good teammate?
3. Communion: Sharing communication
I am not talking here about the Lord’s Supper. That is communion with the Lord. Koinonia involves communion with other believers.
This is the first of 2 aspects of koinonia that are subjective experiences. If you are a believer the first 2 aspects of koinonia are true of you. However, you may not have experienced these last 2 aspects for some time.
Communion is sharing with other believers on a personal and spiritual level. It is discussion and encouragement centered on God, His works, and His Word.
4. Giving and Receiving: Sharing material possessions
Giving and Receiving of material things was the norm for the NT church.
Acts 2:44-45
And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.
Paul tells the Romans that they should be…
Romans 12:13
contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
In 2 Corinthians 9, Paul is encouraging the church at Corinth to be giving materially to the saints in the church at Jerusalem. The believers in Jerusalem were many in number and they were being persecuted for their faith. Because of the persecution, many were without jobs and other sources of income. Paul tells the Corinthians that they need to ‘fellowship’ with the saints in Jerusalem (he wasn’t telling them to have donuts or a potluck with them either!).
2 Corinthians 9:13
Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all
The writer of Hebrews also talks about giving and receiving. He says it is part of our worship to God.
Hebrews 13:16
And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
How are you doing in this area? Do you give and receive materially? If you are going to continually devote yourself to fellowship, then you have to continually devote yourself to giving and receiving materially. Who was the last Christian in the church that you have to? What was the last need that you met for someone else?
Conclusion
If you are committed to fellowship, then you are committed to relationships, a partnership, spiritual communication, and giving and receiving with other believers in the church.
