WHAT DOES THE BIBLE MEAN WHEN IT TALKS ABOUT 'FELLOWSHIP"
We use the word “fellowship so glibly, for example, “we had lovely fellowship last night” (over a game of trivial pursuit), or “it was great fellowship at church today” ( we sat in church looked at the back of the person’s neck in front of us, and then had coffee afterwards in the church hall). It seems to me, it means so much more than that.
Luke highlights “Fellowship” as one of the important keys in the life of the early church. In Acts 2.42 he writes : And they continually devoting themselves to the Apostle’s doctrine (teaching), and to FELLOWSHIP, to the breaking of bread and prayer.
WHAT IS FELLOWSHIP ?
The Greek word for fellowship is koinonia which means, partnership, participation, communion, aid relief and contribution in aid. Its root meaning is common, belonging to several, For example we are to have no fellowship (have nothing in common with the unfruitful works of darkness. Eph.5.11
THE PURPOSE OF FELLOWSHIP
1. To satisfy God’s heart. Man was created as a gregarious, social creature for fellowship, not just with others, but with God. Because he was created after god’s image he had the ability to commune with God and bring satisfaction to God’s own heart. Different men in scripture are particularly specified as being a friend of God. Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, & King David.
2. To manifest God’s glory to the world. The whole aim of fellowship is to come into oneness both with God & man. John 17: 22,23a.
3. To express love. The basic aim of fellowship is an expression of our love. We find enjoyment and fulfilment in one another’s company Rom.1:11,12
CONDITIONS OF FELLOWSHIP
1. A basic commitment to one another. Without a basic trust, there can be no true fellowship. The depth of our fellowship will vary according to the depth of our commitment.
2. Our commitment must be based on Agape (love) Agape love is a one way love, which loves :in spite of” not “because of” Such a commitment therefore will NOT be affected by the other person’s inconsistent behaviour. John 13.34
3. TRUE FELLOWSHIP IS CHRIST CENTRED. Our fellowship with one another is founded in our common commitment to Christ. 1 John 1.3.(not commitment to a certain doctrine!!!!)
(a) Walking in the Light. The need to be open and truthful to one another. Could this mean confessing our own sins to others ? or an uncovering of another’s sin 1 John 1.6-7 Matt.18.15
(b) Obedience to the light, the general and specific commandments God has given.
(c) The removal of any masks or false coverings. So much of the world’s fellowship is hypocritical, acting out a role. 1 Peter 1.22.
(d) A commitment to our local church and small group.
(e) A genuine interest in the other person’s well being (no hidden motives of self gain).
(f) Our desire should be to give not to get Phil. 2.4 Rom. 12.10
(g) A willingness to lay down one’s life. Life involves so much more than physical life. It also includes our material possessions, our personal interests and preferences etc. John 15.12, James 2:15-16 This also means a willingness to openly share of oneself. We can only know of a person to the extent they are prepared to reveal themselves.
In our next blog we will talk about the results of fellowship , and what fellowship meant to the early church.
YOU MAY SAY THIS IS SO IDEALISTIC, AND IT IS, BUT WHY ARE WE SO EASILY SAITISFIED WITH SOMETHING THAT IS SO MUCH LESS THAN WHAT THE SCRIPTURES OFFERS US
