August 2010   

ASPECTS OF FELLOWSHIP (Koinonia)   Twelve times  when  the  word ‘fellowship’ is mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible ( Authorised Version) it is from the greek word ‘Koinonia’. Apart from agreeing with the meaning given in an English dictionary –group with shared aims or interests-we may believe that fellowship pertaining to Christians is mainly to do with social interaction. Desirable as this is, looking at the twelve scriptural references gives other aspects of fellowship.   Fellowship of believers Acts 2:38-47 Fellowship of believers was a feature of the church from its beginning,’....all that believed were together....’(v 44). This was a result of the believers being indwelt by the Holy Spirit(v 38). We see that fellowship is linked with teaching (apostles doctrines), breaking of bread and prayers(v 42). See also 1 John 1:7.   Fellowship with the Godhead 1 John 1:1-7 After bearing witness to the Word of life ( the Lord Jesus Christ ) whom he and his fellow disciples had seen and heard, John desires the readers of his epistle to have fellowship with them.’.....and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (v3). We note that it is necessary for our Christian walk to be `in the light’ and not `in darkness’ for us to be in fellowship with God (v6,7).1Cor 1:9 ‘....by whom (God ) ye were called unto the fellowship of His son Jesus Christ our Lord’. Phil 2:1,2 ‘....if (there be )  any fellowship of the Spirit,...fulfil ye my joy that ye be likeminded, having the same love....’   Fellowship in the Gospel Phil 1:3,5 ‘ I( Paul ) thank my God ....for your  fellowship in the Gospel...’Gal 2;9 ‘ And when James, Cephas, and John,....perceived the grace that was given unto me ( Paul), they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen ( gentiles ),...’   Fellowship of the mystery Eph 3:8,9 `Unto me ( Paul ),... is this grace given, that I should  preach among the gentiles,...to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery,...’( that the gentiles should be...partakers of His (Gods’) promise in Christ by the Gospel..v6   Fellowship of ministering to the Saints 2 Cor 8:1,4’...the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia ...( who) praying ( asking earnestly) with much intreaty (urgency) that  we would receive the gift , and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering  to the saints.’   Fellowship of His (Christ ‘s) sufferings Phil 3:10 That I( Paul ) may know Him ( Christ),... and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; Let us aspire not only to sincere fellowship with one another on a social level but to these other aspects also.