Luke summarized the first church of Christ, established in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). The term, “continued steadfastly” means to be devoted (Acts 1:14; 2:46; 6:4; Romans 12:12). There are four specific things, all spiritual in nature, to which these early Christians were devoted. In this article, we will examine the second of these. They were devoted to “fellowship.” The word “fellowship” refers to association, communion, joint participation and sharing together. The fellowship in which the early church continued was their joint participation in the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:9). The implied object of their fellowship is God (1 John 1:3, 7). Included in this sense of fellowship were concrete expressions of that joint participation and sharing (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35). One great example is the collection Paul took among the Gentile churches to help the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. The Greek word koinonia, usually translated “fellowship,” in those contexts is translated “contribution” (Romans 15:26) and “sharing” [“distribution,” KJV] (2 Corinthians 9:13). Fellowship must be important in our lives as well. No congregation can follow God without seeking and maintaining true fellowship (Ephesians 4:1-3). Christians should seek other Christians for encouragement and support. This is why assembling together is so important (Hebrews 10:23-25). How devoted are we to “fellowship”?
