Christian Fellowship, What Is It?
WHAT IS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP? Fellowship is all too often equated with food and entertainment. Some people cannot envision fellowship without a coffee urn and a box of donuts. True Biblical "Fellowship" is far removed from hot dogs and soda water. Fellowship is simply defined "Joint Participation". The idea of partnership is conveyed. Consider some of the terms Paul used:
- fellow-servants
- fellow-soldiers
- fellow-workers
- fellow-citizens
- fellow-heirs
None of these Bible phrases relate to social gatherings. Biblical fellowship is always associated with spiritual activities shared jointly by the saints in Christ. Christians have a solid partnership with God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ (1 John 1:3). As we jointly participate in teaching others and support brethren who do the same, we have fellowship in the gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:3-5). Our fellowship will bring sufferings and persecutions, which we share with Christ (Philippians 3:8-11; 1 Peter 4:13). The Bible sternly warns the Christian not to fellowship false teachers, nor follow their paths (Ephesians 5:11; 1 John 1:6). Friend, we want to be careful not to misuse or abuse Biblical terms. Be ready to compare "spiritual things with spiritual words" and never speak "words which man's wisdom teacheth" (1 Corinthians 2:13). You see, man's wisdom does not have the answers of life and is therefore not worthy of fellowship (Jeremiah 10:23). "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).
--Adapted
Daniel S. Dow
Huntington Church of Christ
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