The Nature of Fellowship

Acts 2:42

The Meaning of Christian Fellowship

What comes to mind when I mention Church fellowship?

Social Hour with coffee, desert, casual conversation. I love the time we spend together, catching up from week to week.

Some think of Activity: Coming together for a work project, a common cause, united in an effort that we cannot do alone.

Christian fellowship is all of this, but it is so much more.

True Fellowship

Fellowship - from the Greek - Koinonia

Koine Greek - a common language. To “coin a phrase,” to use a common phrase, from koine

Koinonia/Fellowship means sharing a common life with other believers.

Jerry Bridges - True Community - It is not the fact that we are united in common goals or purposes that makes us a community. Rather it is the fact that we share a common life in Christ. There are many organizations, both secular and Christian, whose members work together to pursue common goals. Some of these groups may call themselves Christian communities. But a biblical community goes much deeper than sharing common goals, though it involves that. Biblical community is first of all sharing of a common life in Christ.


How different is our present-day concept of fellowship? Take those typical times of “coffee fellowship.” We discuss everything except the Scriptures. We talk about our jobs, our studies, our favorite sports teams, the weather - almost everything except what God is teaching us from His Word and through His workings in our lives. If we are to regain the New Testament concept of fellowship within the community, we must learn to get beyond the temporal issues of the day and begin to share with each other on a level that will enhance our spiritual relationships with one another and with God.

Fellowship with Christ

Union with Christ brings salvation

His life covers ours - He is our representative

Jesus died and our old nature was crucified with Him.

Because we are united with Christ in the eternal election, our sins are be imputed to Him.

In turn, the righteousness of Christ clothes us because He perfectly represented those with whom He was united eternally (2 Cor. 5:21).

Our lives are hidden in His

(Gal. 2:20–21) “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me”

This is the language of union with Christ.

Union with Christ brings belonging

We are part of the body of Christ, and individually members of it (1 Cor 12)

Your hand and foot, eyes and ears, do belong to you because you own them, they are an integral part of you.

So it is with Christ, we are members of His body, we are a part of Him - having life in Him, working and serving together for the sake of our Head.

How do we experience this fellowship with Christ?

Devotion and quite time. Not just something to start or end the day, but an all-day seeking after Him.

Starting the morning with Him, then letting His word, the very experience of being in communion with Him, guide you through the day.

In being with others who know Him.

There is no fellowship with Christ without fellowship with His people.

Talking about what He has done for you, what you are learning of Him, encouraging others as they walk with Him.

Fellowship with Christians -

A variety of ways Koinonia is used.

Sharing gifts - gifts given to build up the body.

The Spiritual Gifts - teaching, prayer, faith, etc…

Like members of the body in 1 Cor 12, all are needed. The eye can’t tell the ear to leave, nor can the foot say I’m not needed and leave the body.

Where would we be if we were all eyes?

The financial blessings we have received.

2 Cor 8 - An eagerness to give what God has given, to share in blessings and comfort. Paul actually uses the word koinonia - the Macedonians asked for the opportunity to share in the offering, to give of themselves for the benefit of other Christians.

Sharing life together

In weeping and rejoicing. When one member of the body is suffering all suffer; when one is honored all are honored.

We tend to think that these things isolate us, that we must carry the burden alone. But in Christ we share life together. Sharing prayer concerns, and actively praying for one another.

We walk with one another as we walk with Christ

Discipline - Not, you’re wrong now figure it out, but I will walk with you through this struggle.

Learning - Sharing in the treasure we have found, actively seeking out other to teach you and guide you.

Sharing the Spirit

There is one Holy Spirit - uniting and holding us together

As we grow closer to Christ in the Spirit, putting to death the sin and growing in righteousness, we will be growing closer to one another.

Sharing work in Ministry

Partnership in the gospel

Gal 2:9 - The right-hand of fellowship was extended to Paul and Barnabas.

Fellowship in ministry means all are engaged in ministry, supporting ministry, and doing ministry

Supporting Mission, preaching, teaching

Paul thanked the Philippians for their partnership in the gospel…

Pray for the mission partners, send them notes of encouragement; Pray for your pastors, let their service be a joy.

A Call to Life Together

Seeking out Relationship

Turn to Christ

1 Cor 1:9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Seeking out fellowship with other believers

If you are looking for a closer walk with Christ, seek out those who are walking with Him. Learn from them, imitate them, hear them talk of Jesus.

Prioritizing Christian Community

Don’t see the Church as another burden to your time, but as a blessing from God. Those who cannot be with other Christians long for fellowship. Value, treasure, and seek out time to be with other believers.

The Church is not Membership, but Relationship.

Not just a place where your name is on a list, but a family in which you care for and build up one another.

Visiting, calling, praying for each other

You don’t need an office to have a ministry

Every member is called to serve

Starts with Elders and Deacons

If you have an office, you have a ministry

Tend to the flock well, know their needs and watch over them.

Active One-Anothering

On the Information Table - a page of One-Another Verses of the New Testament

Show hospitality, greet one another, forgive and be kind to one another, exhort and encourage one another

Above all - Love one another.

The early Church Father, Tertullian tells us that pagans were struck by the witness of Christian love. “See how they love one another!” they would remark. I wonder how many people look at us and say the same. “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples,” Jesus tells the us, “if you have love one for another.” (John 13:35)