Did You Know? The term “fellowship” is used often in churches. We get together for a planned fellowship (a noun), we have fellowship (a verb), we go fellowshipping (a participle) and we even name our buildings “Fellowship Hall.” Most often the term is used to signify people getting together to talk, relax, play sports, or eat meals together. But as enjoyable as these kinds of events can be they are not a reflection of what true biblical fellowship really is.

            The New Testament was originally penned in Greek, yet nowhere in the Greek text do any of the Greek words translated “fellowship” ever involve fun and games. What they do involve is participation in something spiritual. In 2 Corinthians 8:4 the Greek term is used in relation to participating in giving financial relief to other Christians. The book of 1 Timothy says as much in 1 Tim. 6:18 when it speaks of being rich in good works and showing generosity in giving financially ready to “share” (fellowship).

The Apostle Paul thanked the Philippian Christians for their “fellowship in the gospel” (1:5) because they were participating with him by continuing to preach the gospel – even though Paul was in prison for preaching Christ at the time (1:7). So it appears that the kind of fellowship Paul spoke of in this context, namely preaching Christ, was the kind that brought severe persecution. Now that’s a far cry from church members playing softball together!

It is the Christian’s responsibility to imitate Jesus Christ’s humility and his self-sacrificial love (Philippians 2:5-8) through the “fellowship of the Spirit” (Philippians 2:1). This kind of fellowship concerns a common participation in the fruits of the Holy Spirit which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23), and these can be shared together in many contexts. When is the last time you had fellowship in your church regarding those nine traits?

Christians have the incredible privilege of knowing in some small way the “fellowship of Christ’s sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10) by simply humbling ourselves as Christ did and taking up the nature of a servant in order to glorify God. We also have that same privilege in the mystery of the Lord’s Supper (Communion). The Apostle Paul said, “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not participation (fellowship) in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not participation in the body of Christ?” (1 Cor. 10:16). So the Lord’s Supper – eating together with other Christians and remembering the death of Christ – is true fellowship. What a travesty for Christians who never attend church or participate.  

The Bible is clear as to what true fellowship is. It ought not ever be taken lightly or misunderstood. Biblical fellowship should always be accompanied by Bible teaching, submissive prayer, and even ministry to the poor (Acts 2:42-47). When it was done this way in the early church God brought the church into great favor with the community around them, and He added to the church people in great numbers (Acts 2:47). Apparently good fellowship also works evangelistically because people take note. They can’t help but to.

            Biblical fellowship pleases God and adds new believers to the fold. Actually the answer to “How to Do Church” is wrapped up in one single passage: "And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to praying” (Acts 2:42).

            Harvest Bible Church is a conservative evangelical church where the Bible is not only believed but taught verse-by-verse. From the children’s Sunday School and Awana program (Sunday nights at 5:00) to the youth and adult classes which meet every Sunday and during the week. Web: www.harvestbiblechurch.net Phone: 281-304-1441.