***Fellowship*** “The basic meaning conveyed by the Greek term koinonia {fellowship} is that of participation. Both fellowship and communion, as translations of this term, are to be understood in this light. There is normally no sense of abstraction in the use of the word, in either noun or verb form, but rather that of actual participation in that to which the term refers. It is striking that the noun does not appear in the Gospels. Perhaps the sense conveyed by the early church’s use of the term is that which was only appropriate in the close-knit fellowship of its Spirit-filled membership. The verb form appears only twice in the Gospels, where it has no connotation of anything uniquely Christian {Matthew 23:30; Luke 5:10}.” The sense of sharing and self-sacrifice that is inherent in the Word is clearly evident in those references to financial support in the early church as koinonia {verb: Romans 12:13, 15:26; Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:15; noun: 2nd Corinthians 8:4, 9:13; Hebrew 13:16}. It is clear in the above-mentioned passages that the apostle Paul viewed the contribution for the needy Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, taken up from the poverty-stricken Gentile Christians in the Hellenistic world, as the ultimate expression of fellowship among Christian people/folk. It was more than simple sharing of material possessions, by those taught with their teachers. For Paul it was a theological expression of the validity of his work among Gentiles, a sure sign that they had been completely accepted into God’s work/ministry among the Jews. Friendship is a supreme expression of fellowship. The early church maintained this fellowship daily {Acts 2:42}, as is evidenced in its communalism described in Acts 4 and 5. But just as one may participate in wholesome activities with a fellow human being, he or she may also have fellowship with another’s sins {1st Timothy 5:22}, another’s wickedness {2nd John 11}, and even with demons {1st Corinthians 10:20-21}. When this happens, it is a sure sign that Christ is not dwelling in the heart/soul of the Believer; light and darkness do not have fellowship with one another, just as the Christ {Messiah} has no fellowship with Belial {2nd Corinthians 6:14-15}. The true/genuine Believer has fellowship in {i. e., participates in the implications of} the sufferings of Christ (Philippians 3:10; 1st Peter 4:13}, the sufferings of the apostles {2nd Corinthians 1:7}, and the sufferings of fellow humans {Hebrew 10:33}. The unity in the fellowship of the early church was not based upon uniformity of thought and practice, except where limits of immorality or rejection of the confession of Christ was involved. The capacity to fellowship with one with whom there were disagreements, extended beyond the corporate church into home itself. A Believing wife was exhorted by Paul to remain married to an unbelieving husband, as long as he was content to dwell with her, and likewise husband with wife {1st Corinthians 7:12-16}. There is a sense in which the Lord’s Supper constitutes a fellowship or participation in the Blood and Body of Christ {1st Corinthians 10:16}. This is perhaps one of the meanings of the fellowship of the Spirit {2nd Corinthians 13:14; Philippians 2:1} and one of the ways that we become partakers {koinonia} of the divine nature {2nd Peter 1:4} and of the Glory that is to be revealed {1st Peter 5:1}. The communion between humans and God, in the eating of the supper, was probably based less on sacramental presuppositions than on the cultural/theological implications inherent, in the experience of Jews and Gentiles, male and female, slave and free {Galatians 3:28} sitting down together to eat/partake and drink with Him in His Kingdom {Mark 14:25; Luke 22:30}…(J.R. McRay) “Fellowship, one of the keys to spiritual growth, occurs when Christians/Believers share their walk with God, in an atmosphere of love and respect {intimacy]. Fellowship occurs when everyone communicates in love with other/fellow believers, and the whole solemn assembly becomes strengthened as a result. Sometimes fellowship requires confessing our faults {James 5:16} as we strive to develop a unity of spirit and mind. Those who work to hinder the fellowship of the brethren practice a sin that is hated by God {Proverbs 6:19}… [Illustration]…The church at Philippi was particularly noted for its spirit of fellowship, but Paul’s warning to two women in the church reminds how we must constantly work to maintain fellowship {Philippians 4:1-3}…[Application]…Fellowship is so vital that we cannot live for God by ourselves. As we develop deeper relationships with others, we should remember that we come to resemble those with whom we fellowship {Matthew 18:19; Philippians 1:27; cf. Romans 6:4-10 KJV}…” Brothers and Sisters in Christ, as Children of God, we have Union {Indwelling of the Spirit} and Communion {Partaking of the Bread and Wine in remembrance of our Lord…i.e. sacrament} with God; intimate fellowship with sweet, sweet, Jesus!}…Christ Is Mines And I Am His; Ain’t He Alight…Glory, Glory, Hallelujah To Our King {Jesus}…
Posted on: Sat, 22 Mar 2014 23:24:56 +0000
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