Fellowship, among believers

Sharing in the fellowship of God’s love

1 John 4:10–12 NIV

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

See also Jn 13:34; Jn 15:12; Eph 5:1–2; 1 Jn 3:10

Sharing in the fellowship of a common devotional life

Acts 2:42 NIV

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Worshipping together

Psalm 55:14 NIV

with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers.

See also Ps 42:4; 1 Co 14:26; Eph 5:19; Col 3:16

Praying together

Acts 1:14 NIV

They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

See also Ac 4:24; Ac 12:12; Jas 5:16

Breaking bread together

1 Co 10:16–17; 2 Pe 2:13; Jud 12 Love feasts accompanied the Lord’s Supper though these were open to abuse.

True fellowship means sharing with those in need

Hebrews 13:16 NIV

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

See also Ac 20:34–35; Eph 4:28

Showing hospitality

Romans 12:13 NIV

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

See also Is 58:7; Heb 13:1–2; 1 Pe 4:9; 3 Jn 8

Sharing money and possessions

Dt 15:10–11; Ac 2:44–45

See also Dt 10:18–19 God’s people are to reflect his concern for the needy in society; Mt 25:35–36; Lk 3:11; Ac 4:32–35; 2 Co 8:13–15; 1 Ti 6:17–18; Jas 1:27; Jas 2:15–16

Examples of sharing with the needy

Job 31:16–20 Job’s compassion for the needy; Ac 6:1 the daily distribution to widows; Ac 9:36 Tabitha’s concern for the poor

The collection for believers in Judea:

Ac 11:29–30; Ro 15:26; 2 Co 8:3–4

Strengthening one another in fellowship together

Bearing with the weak

Galatians 6:1–2 NIV

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

See also Is 42:3; Ro 14:1; Ro 15:1; 1 Th 5:14

Strengthening the weak

Isaiah 35:3–4 NIV

Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”

See also Job 4:3–4

Encouraging one another

Hebrews 10:24–25 NIV

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

See also 1 Sa 23:16; Ro 1:12; 1 Th 5:11; Heb 13:3

Putting the needs of others first

Romans 15:2 NIV

Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.

See also 1 Co 10:24; 1 Co 10:32–33

True fellowship means living in harmony

1 Peter 3:8 NIV

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.

See also Ro 12:16; Eph 4:2–3; Php 2:1–4; Col 3:12–14

Showing equal concern for all

Ac 10:34; 1 Co 12:25; Jas 2:1–4

Examples of fellowship

Nu 10:31–32 Moses and Hobab; 1 Sa 18:3 David and Jonathan; 2 Ki 10:15–16 Jehu and Jehonadab

Failure to exhibit true fellowship

1 Sa 30:22 Troublemakers in David’s army are unwilling to share the spoils; 1 Co 1:11–12 factions within the church at Corinth; 1 Co 11:17–22 Selfishness at love feasts humiliates the poor.