Fellowship, among believers

Sharing in the fellowship of God’s love

1 John 4:10–12 NRSV

In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected 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 NRSV

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

Worshipping together

Psalm 55:14 NRSV

with whom I kept pleasant company; we walked in the house of God with the throng.

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

Praying together

Acts 1:14 NRSV

All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as 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 NRSV

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

See also Ac 20:34–35; Eph 4:28

Showing hospitality

Romans 12:13 NRSV

Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

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 NRSV

My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another’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 NRSV

Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.”

See also Job 4:3–4

Encouraging one another

Hebrews 10:24–25 NRSV

And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, 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 NRSV

Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor.

See also 1 Co 10:24; 1 Co 10:32–33

True fellowship means living in harmony

1 Peter 3:8 NRSV

Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

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.