“And they
continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in
breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42)
Fellowship Defined
The Greek word for
fellowship is:
2842 koinonia {koy-nohn-ee'-ah}
from 2844; TDNT - 3:797,447; n f
AV - fellowship 12,
communion 4, communication 1, distribution 1, contribution 1, to
communicate 1; 20 1) fellowship, association, community, communion,
joint participation, intercourse 1a) the share which one has in
anything, participation 1b) intercourse, fellowship, intimacy 1b1) the
right hand as a sign and pledge of fellowship (in fulfilling the
apostolic office) 1c) a gift jointly contributed, a collection, a
contribution, as exhibiting an embodiment and proof of fellowship.
In essence it is
the gathering together of those who have commonality in thought, action,
deed, purpose and speech towards
the development and strengthening of the fore mentioned.
We enjoy fellowship with God through;
Knowledge of His
will:
Job 22:21
“Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come
unto thee.”
John 17:3 “And
this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and
Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
Agreement with His
designs:
Amos 3:3 “Can
two walk together, except they be agreed?”
Mutual affection:
Rom 8:38, 39
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor
height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us
from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Enjoyment of His
presence:
Psalms 4:5-8
“Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
There be many that say, Who will show us any good? LORD, lift thou up
the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my
heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I
will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makes me
dwell in safety.”
Conformity to His
image:
1Jo 2:6 “He that
saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he
walked.”
1Jo 1:6 “If we
say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and
do not the truth:”
Participation in
His felicity:
1Jo 1:3, 4 “That
which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have
fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and
with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your
joy may be full.”
Eph 3:14-21
“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would
grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with
might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your
hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able
to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and
depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth
knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto
him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or
think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in
the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.
Amen..”
We have fellowship with each other through;
Duties:
Rom 12:4, 5 “For
as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same
office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members
one of another.”
1Co 12:4 “Now
there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit”
Phi 2:4 “Look
not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of
others.”
In ordinance:
Heb 10:25 “Not
forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some
is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day
approaching.”
Act 2:46, 47
“And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking
bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and
singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the
people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
In grace, love,
joy, etc.:
Mal 3:16 “Then
they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD
hearkened, and heard it, and a book of
remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and
that thought upon his name.”
Romans 15:13
“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
2Corinthians 7:13
“Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the
more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by
you all.”
Phi 2:1-3 If
there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if
any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my
joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord,
of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in
lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Gal 5:22, 23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is
no law.”
Mutual interest,
spiritual and temporal:
Rom 12:5-10 “So
we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of
another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is
given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the
proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he
that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he
that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with
diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without
dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour
preferring one another;”
In sufferings:
Rom 15:1, 2 “We
then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not
to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his
good to edification.”
Rom 12:15
“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep”
Gal 6:1, 2
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual,
restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest
thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the
law of Christ.”
In Glory:
Rev 7:9 “After
this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of
all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the
throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in
their hands;”
False fellowship
The scripture
provides warnings towards those we would have fellowship with or the
actions that can ensue:
1Co 15:33, 34
“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to
righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I
speak this to your shame.”
Eph 4:14 “That
we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about
with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning
craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”
Pro 14:12 “There
is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the
ways of death.”
2Corinthians 6:14
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what
fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion
hath light with darkness?”
Unity
It is God’s desire
that we be brought into unity. Our fellowship should have continuity and
oneness of mind. As we grow in Christ the unity of fellowship should be
the result.
Eph 4:1-6 “I
therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of
the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness,
with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep
the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one
Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one
faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and
through all, and in you all.”
Eph 4:13 “Till
we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son
of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the
fulness of Christ:
Food for Thought
What have you
learned regarding fellowship that you may not have already known?
What benefits have you experienced from a time of fellowship?
Have you ever experienced a time when you wish you could have fellowship but physical limitations prohibited it?
From what you have learned is there an aspect of fellowship that you intend on exercising?