Possibly now, more than ever, our fellowship in Christ is being attacked. Personally, I believe true fellowship in the Lord’s church has been under attack for a long time. However, especially since the onset of the Coronavirus, fellowship has suffered greatly. Folks have been “forced” to “hole up” and be separate from others, which is a direct attack on the fellowship we need in Christ. The biblical word “fellowship” is defined as a “partnership, companionship, camaraderie.” It is a beautiful closeness that only can be experienced and enjoyed by those who are in fellowship with God. What is our fellowship in Christ all about?
Firstly, let us note the plan. God’s plan for the early church was quite clear. “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” (Acts 2:46). Notice some of the elements of this plan. Their fellowship was frequent: “And they continuing daily…” This could quite possibly be one of the clearest reasons why some congregations never experience the beauty of real fellowship; they are simply never together. Our meeting together for worship and Bible class can never achieve the closeness that meeting together daily can bring. How can we really know and love one another if we simply just cross paths on Sunday?
Their fellowship was also friendly: “with one accord… with gladness and singleness of heart.” It was an enjoyable experience for these Christians to be together. They were not cliquish, clamoring or contentious. Bad attitudes, fighting and feuding all hinder the enjoyment of being together.
Their fellowship was also focused: “in the temple and breaking bread from house to house…” Their eating together (“breaking bread from house to house”) was a direct result of their worshipping together (“in the temple”). Worship should draw us close to God and close to each other. Closeness to each other is often expressed through sharing food and time together. God’s plan for His church is for us to be united and to spend precious time together.
Secondly, let us understand the portrayal. “Fellowship” is portrayed in various Bible descriptions. Fellowship is all about being “fellowcitizens.” “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19). Fellowcitizens portrays the idea of belonging together. Fellowship is all about being “fellow soldiers.” “And to our beloved Apphia and Archippus our fellow soldier…” (Philemon 2). Fellow soldiers portrays the idea of battling together. Fellowship is all about being “fellow helpers” (3 John 8). Fellow helpers portrays the idea of benefiting together. Fellowship is all about being “fellow workers.” Paul reminded the church in Colosse of this important fact (Colossians 4:11). Fellow workers portrays the idea of being busy together. Fellowship is also all about being “fellow heirs” (Ephesians 3:6; Romans 8:17). Fellow heirs certainly portrays the idea of being blessed together eternally. Christians, who are in fellowship with God and each other, have an inheritance awaiting them! Each portrayal of fellowship shows that we are in this life together to accomplish a common goal.
Lastly, let us see the power. True biblical fellowship empowers and encourages our faith. We were not created to be alone – to be islands. The power of fellowship is seen in faithfulness. When we are joined together the way God intended, we help each other to remain faithful. A lion is much more effective in taking down a lone antelope compared to a whole herd. Our spiritual lion (1 Peter 5:8) is much more effective at stopping a single Christian compared to one who is with the herd every day (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). The power of fellowship is seen in forgiveness. When we are close, as the family of God should be, it is much easier to forgive one another when we sin (Ephesians 4:32). Often, grudges and hateful attitudes are held for years, simply because we do not know and love one another properly. The power of fellowship is seen in fortune. True biblical fellowship is like finding a spiritual fortune! Sadly, many Christians never find this fortune. Far too many Christians are disconnected and never really tie in with the family of God, and thus, they never really experience the fortune that is found in true biblical fellowship.
God’s plan for the New Testament church was never made up of people simply rubbing shoulders on Sunday. Fellowship in Christ is a camaraderie, companionship and closeness that is a foretaste of Heaven itself. If our fellowship here on earth is not right, we will never enjoy fellowship in eternity. May we each do our part to fulfill God’s plan for our fellowship in Christ. May we each daily live the portrayals of biblical fellowship, and may each Christian experience the power and beauty of our fellowship in Christ Jesus. Could it be said of us, “And they continuing daily…”? Think about it!
