Fellowship is more than “breaking bread”, eating together or spending time in the fellowship hall. Acts 2:42 is the most quoted scripture people want to recite when it comes to Fellowship but let me tell you there is more that involves Fellowship. The fact that Fellowship is not a focal point in all aspects of the church is why the church has been losing members. People were created to be in relationships and not just the romantic type either.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 2:42
Let’s get a brief breakdown of what is Fellowship. Fellowship is a mutual commitment. It is critical to the life of the church as a defining characteristic that must be made a priority. As Believers we are to work towards a common or shared purpose. That purpose is God’s; to serve others and glorify Him. We do this through daily communion with God and other Believers. That means to have intimate (open, honest, transparent, vulnerable) time with God and other Believers through activity such as prayer, reading the Bible, quiet time, hanging out, etc. To open yourself up to be loved as you are, walk in the light (God’s truth) and be obedient to God’s Word no matter who you’re with, around or seen with.
Fellowship is precious as it’s a basis for Salvation. We received Fellowship which is a covenant relation with God when Jesus was resurrected. Jesus’ sacrifice has allowed us to bypass a Priest and have our own relationship with God. One that no one can come between.
Christian Fellowship only exists because God the Father through Jesus Christ the Son and by the Holy Spirit has established in grace a relation (new covenant) with humankind. Those who believe the gospel of the resurrection are united in the Spirit through the Son of the Father. (I explain this in Fellowship Activated Bible teaching). The relation leads to the reality of relatedness and thus to an experienced relationship (communion) between man and God. Those who are “in Christ” are in communion not only with Jesus Christ and God in the Spirit but also with one another.
This relatedness/relationship/communion is what we call Fellowship. Relatedness is the state of being related or connected. We’ll be connected spiritually. Community is not Fellowship. Community is individualism: a group, body, society formed by the coming together of “individuals” in a contractual way (a modern phenomenon). For baptized Believers we participate within human experience of the communion of the living God Himself as well as with other Believers. This is due to our relatedness in our spiritual family.
There is an obligation that comes with Fellowship and that is obedience to God. That’s all He asks for in return. Is Obedience to His Word.
We are to share our lives, ministry, possessions, love together. Think of a healthy family unit. One that is there for each other no matter what. That shows love even when you don’t feel deserving of it. A family that makes sure you have when you can’t do for yourself. All of that falls under Fellowship.
The danger that lurks to hinder, disrupt or sabotage your Fellowship with God as well as other Believers is an assault or attack. That comes in the form of a sin. Either committed by you or someone else. Even someone else convincing you to commit a sin is an attack.
God’s presence and reflection is seen by others through us. We are able to show that by being in Fellowship. In Fellowship we become so in tune with God that we know Him for ourselves. We are aligned with His Word for our lives. We step out into the world and people know that we are Ambassadors for Christ. That glow, feeling happens through the transformation that takes place while you are in Fellowship with God on a daily basis. You won’t see it immediately. But over time, other people will notice a difference coming from you.
Fellowship has symbols or acts. The four Acts of Fellowship are Lord’s Supper, Communism, Contributions, and Cooperation. The Lord’s Supper is a sacrament where we eat bread and drink wine as remembrance for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. This is led by someone in clergy.
Communism is that experienced relationship you have with God that you put effort into on a daily basis. Contributions are when we pull our money together such as tithing to your church. These funds are to serve the community, church, people you’re in Fellowship with as well as maintain the organization you’re part of. Cooperation is where you help, support and encourage the other Believers you’re in Fellowship with. You show them love like family because they are your spiritual family. And family takes care of family. Even if they have to lovingly correct each other.
There are three Experienced Relationships related to Fellowship. They are communion between Jesus + God, communion with God + you, and communion with one another. These experienced relationships maintain the movement of God and the Holy Spirit as we go through each of our days.
Fellowship is essentially a relationship that you have with God. The most important relationship you will have in your life. One that only asks for obedience and will bless you in ways you could never imagine.
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