The early Christians were known for their imminent fellowship, oneness, consistency, openness, and helping attitude toward one another. Fellowship forms a strong foundation for early believers to grow in their spiritual life. Fellowship is not simply filling the pews or gathering in one place but with a common interest.
The way of their fellowship is listed in the scripture right after the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. When the spirit binds us together, there is joy in the heart of the participants. It is maintaining a healthy relationship with Christ. Fellowship is ‘holding something in common,’ koinonia.’
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit gives us the courage to listen, wait and share what we got from the Spirit. In that way, we grow together for God, and in him, we find the joy of spending time with people who love God.
Now, loving God is accepting the restoration of humankind through the sacrificial of Jesus on Calvary’s cross, whereby we become the children of God.
Fellowship is solidarity associated with like-minded interests. In the Christian forum, it is the association of the believers connecting, paving the way for growth as one body in Christ.
Today, although I wouldn’t like to admit the connectivity between the believers has weakened because we follow a particular set of written or unwritten rules – there is less time for listening.
Fellowship with God:
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him, there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1John 1:5-7
In him, the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him, you, too, are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 2:21-22
Way of Fellowship:
There are times when people suggest and try to work out the best way of fellowship in Christ. The best way already is fellowship. It may comprise hearing, listening, discussing, sharing possessions, testimonies, and praising together.
More importantly, not underestimating one another in spirit. Some may need a bit of upliftment or enlightening with words.
Soon, we will go through the fellowship of the early Christians from the Scripture. But before that, if you’re a leader, I want you to take time re-looking the fellowship you’ve led or the Fellowship you’ve joined.
It is always better to benefit spiritually from our association with the believers. I’m afraid we might use it as a place to simply imply your method and gain materially as well.
Fellowship of Christians:
This is how it was recorded in the book of Acts in the Bible. As you can see, their fellowship is participation, sharing, and enjoying the word of God, increasing in numbers in the temple courts and their homes. The joy of the spirit spreads all around -even in their homes – not only in the courts of the temple.
Now, let us read:
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common.
They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day, they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47
Constituents of Fellowship:
From the above scripture, we can list the constituents of fellowship in the name of God. Some of them are:
• listening to teachings
• breaking bread together
• praying together in mind and spirit
• Being together in everything
• Sharing their possessions
• Praising with sincere hearts
• Enjoying the favor of all the people
• Friendship, unity harmony
• Growing in the spirit daily
The fruit of Fellowship:
Fellowship, most of the time, is the launching pad for new believers and believers whose growth is imminent. It is where all were treated equally. However, the threat lies in the fact that no one is higher but the participant only.
And, in this, the devil wants to destroy the joy of fellowship, making it goalless and dysfunctional when the spirit of true friendship is gone.
Fellowship is participation.
Doubts and fear are to be clarified. Even if someone is teaching to different or diverse groups, it must be in two parts – teachings as to the spiritual infants and mature.
Then, everyone will feel included, accepted, heard, and listened to, which will lead us to the path of spiritual growth.
