What is fellowship? (part 2)

In the last article, we identified a good definition for fellowship. “Fellowship is a relationship you have with God, that you also have with others who have that same relationship with God.” While I believe that is a good definition of fellowship, there are some Bible passages that give how fellowship is manifested. Let’s look at few of those passages:

1. Acts 2:42

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.” This passage reveals to us that “the fellowship” is something that baptized believers should devote themselves to. This means that Christian fellowship is a an ongoing and growing devotion to each other and to God.

2. 1 Corinthians 10:16

“Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ?” This word “sharing” is the same greek word for fellowship. The idea is that the Lord’s Supper we take each week is a manifestation of the fellowship we have as Christians. It is a sharing in the memorial meal to remember the sacrifice of Jesus.

3. Philippians 1:5

“In view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.” Paul was thanking God for the Philippians who financially supported him in his mission work (Phil. 4:15). He called it a “participation” (same greek word as fellowship) in the gospel. Supporting good works of the church financially is a form of fellowship among Christians. It enables us to participate together in spreading the gospel.

These passages reveal to us that this special relationship that Christians share called “fellowship” is deeper than just a relationship. It is something that Christians ought to be devoted to. It is a sharing in the remembrance of the Lord Jesus. It is a participation in spreading the gospel together. These little nuances of fellowship show us some of the beauty that surrounds this unique relationship we share in. In the next article, we will look at some of the warnings about Christian fellowship being opened to those who don’t share this unique relationship.

— Kolton Ballance

What is fellowship? (part 1)

One of the most common words you hear in religious circles is “fellowship.” We talk about fellowship meals, fellowship halls, fellowship with other Christians, and lots of other fellowship things. But what is fellowship?  I want to spend a few articles writing about what the Bible says about fellowship. In this first article, we will simply look at definitions, and usage in the Bible.

The greek word for “fellowship” is “κοινωνια” (koinonia). This word occurs 19x in the New Testament, but other words with the same root occur 75x. The simple definition of the word is “close association involving mutual interests and sharing” (BDAG p.552). This word is translated often as sharing, communion, fellowship, partnership, participation, etc. The basic idea of this word is something people share in common that enables them to work closely together. The book of 1 John gives us the idea that fellowship is something that we share with God, that we also share with each other (1 John 1:3).

Fellowship is more than a meal, it’s more than Christians who get together for fun, and it’s more than a name of a space in your building. If I were to define fellowship in my own words it would be this:

“Fellowship is a relationship you have with God, that you also have with others who have that same relationship with God.”

Fellowship is what connects us all together. Fellowship is our unique relationship we share because of our relationship with God. Because of this relationship, we are able to work together, share in certain things together, help each other meet needs, and much more.

The beauty of fellowship is that its not limited to your congregation, but it stretches out to anybody who has the same relationship with God that you have. If someone is a New Testament Christian, you have fellowship with them because you share this unique relationship. It gives you a family of like-minded people world-wide! It gives you people that you will forever be connected to. In the next few articles, I want to look at some of the implications of this idea of fellowship. Who can we extend it to? What can we do because of it? I hope you’ll read the following articles to learn more!

— Kolton Ballance