What Is Fellowship In The Bible?
The concept of fellowship is central to understanding relationships between believers in the Bible. At its core, fellowship refers to the communal faith, attitudes, and practices that unite Christians.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Biblical fellowship is the unity, connectedness, and common purpose that Christians share through their mutual faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to God’s Word.
In this comprehensive article, we will explore the meaning of fellowship in Scripture,look at various fellowship activities described in the Bible, examine the basis for unity among believers, and discuss the outcomes of true biblical fellowship.
Defining Fellowship in a Biblical Sense
Unity and Connectedness Among Believers
Fellowship in the Bible refers to the unity and connectedness shared by believers in Christ. As Paul writes, we are “members one of another” (Rom 12:5), joined together by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:12-27).
This partnership brings mutual encouragement, comfort, and affection between Christians (Phil 2:1). It’s often expressed through activities like breaking bread, prayer, sharing resources, and meeting needs (Acts 2:42-47).
True biblical fellowship transcends surface-level relationships – it’s a spiritual knitting together of hearts and minds around Jesus.
Partnership in the Gospel
Fellowship also points to believers’ partnership in spreading the gospel. Paul frequently refers to his coworkers in ministry as “fellow workers” (Philemon 1:24), indicating their shared mission. Believers support gospel work through prayer and practical means.
For example, the Philippian church “became partners in giving and receiving” to aid Paul’s ministry (Phil 4:15). Local churches can also fellowship by pooling resources to send missionaries (3 John 1:8). This shows the body of Christ’s responsibility to share in preaching the Word (1 Cor 9:23).
Sharing Spiritual Communion
At its core, Christian fellowship is about sharing in believers’ common spiritual life given by Christ. As John declares, believers’ fellowship is “with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).
This includes partaking spiritually in Jesus’s death and resurrection (Phil 3:10), as well as sharing in divine blessings like grace, hope, and guidance (Acts 11:23, Rom 5:2, Ps 73:24). Such realities unite believers across time and space.
So biblical fellowship means participating together in the spiritual life originating from and leading towards God. It transcends mere social bonds.
Fellowship Activities in Scripture
Gathering for Teaching and Prayer
In the Bible, believers often gathered together to learn, worship, and pray. Jesus and His disciples met in homes, synagogues, and the Temple courts to teach and discuss God’s word (Mark 6:34). The early church continued this tradition, meeting in the Temple courts and in each other’s homes for teaching, prayer, and fellowship (Acts 2:46).
Prayer meetings allowed believers to make requests known to God and find encouragement from one another (Acts 12:12). These gatherings cultivated their faith and drew them closer to God and each other.
Taking Communion
One of the most sacred fellowship activities for Christians is taking Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist. Jesus Himself instituted this tradition on the night before His crucifixion (Luke 22:14-23).
By partaking of the bread and wine, believers remember Christ’s sacrifice and death on their behalf. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the spiritual significance of Communion, saying that by sharing in the elements, believers proclaim Christ’s death and participate in the benefits of His body and blood (1 Corinthians 10:16-17).
This act of remembrance and worship unites Christians across time and space.
Sharing Resources and Helping Those in Need
Biblical fellowship extended beyond meeting together – it involved caring for one another’s practical needs. As the first Christians lived in community, they shared their possessions and resources so that no one had unmet needs (Acts 4:32-35).
Their generosity allowed the gospel to spread rapidly in Jerusalem. Paul also organized a collection for impoverished believers in Jerusalem, highlighting the importance of meeting material needs (1 Corinthians 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8-9).
By giving and serving, Christians strengthen fellowship and emulate Christ’s care for people.
Eating Together
Throughout Scripture, sharing meals provided opportunities for fellowship. Jesus drew sinners and outcasts to dine at His table, embracing them in God’s kingdom (Luke 5:29-32). He also revealed His resurrected self to His disciples when He ate fish with them after His crucifixion (Luke 24:30, 41-43).
The early church continued the tradition of uniting around meals, eating together in their homes with joy and sincerity of heart (Acts 2:46). Paul encourages Christians in Corinth to wait for one another at communal meals instead of selfishly going ahead (1 Corinthians 11:33).
Even today, sharing meals remains a way for believers to open their lives to each other.
The Basis for Christian Fellowship
Common Faith in Jesus
The foundation of Christian fellowship is a common faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (1 John 1:3). When believers come together in His name and seek to follow His teachings, they are united in spirit even if diverse in background or denomination (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).
According to a 2021 survey, around 31% of the world population identifies as Christian. Despite separate traditions, understanding Jesus Christ as the way, truth and life binds these 2.3 billion people together in fellowship.
Obedience to God’s Word
True Christian fellowship also requires obedience to God’s word (1 John 1:5-7). Believers must seek to walk in the light by keeping God’s commands. For example, loving your neighbor, forgiving others, being faithful in marriage, and caring for the disadvantaged.
When Christians uphold righteous conduct individually and corporately, they enjoy the blessing of unbroken fellowship. Interestingly, according to the Gallup, around 20% of Christians believe the Bible is the actual word of God and should be taken literally in 2017.
Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
The indwelling Holy Spirit enables unity within Christian fellowship (1 Corinthians 12:13). By the Spirit, believers become members of one body in which Christ is the head (Ephesians 1:22-23). The Spirit empowers diverse Christians to use their gifts in concert to build up one another in faith (1 Corinthians 12:1-11).
Interestingly, a Pew Research shows over 54% Christians say they experience God’s presence at least once a month in 2018. The fellowship made possible by the Spirit transcends denomination, nationality, gender or race.
Outcomes of Genuine Fellowship
Spiritual Growth and Edification
Genuine Christian fellowship leads to spiritual growth and edification as believers encourage one another in faith. As Paul wrote, “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up” (Romans 15:1-2). Meeting together regularly for worship, prayer, Bible study, and service builds us up in Christ (Hebrews 10:24-25). It equips us for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up (Ephesians 4:12).
Examples of spiritual growth through fellowship include mentoring relationships between mature and new believers, small group Bible studies, prayer partners, and service projects. As we fellowship with other Christians, we are strengthened and encouraged to continue pursuing Christ.
Our faith is nurtured through the Body of Christ.
Accountability and Discipline Within the Church
Fellowship in the church also provides accountability and discipline for growth. Christians are called to gently restore those who are caught in sin (Galatians 6:1), and to spur one another on to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24).
Pastors and elders have a responsibility to biblically instruct, protect, and admonish the flock (1 Peter 5:1-3).
This accountability helps believers mature and avoid falling into patterns of sin. Church discipline and correction can be difficult, but are necessary for holiness and done in love to restore people to right relationship with God and others (Matthew 18:15-20).
As Christians walk closely together, they keep each other from stumbling.
Effective Evangelism and Kingdom Expansion
Finally, Christian fellowship equips believers for evangelism and expanding God’s Kingdom. As people experience genuine love and community in the church, they are drawn to the hope found in Jesus. Acts 2:42-47 shows that the early church’s fellowship led to praise, miracles, favor with people, and people being saved.
Their infectious community caused the Lord to add to their number daily.
When Christians fellowship in unity, serve one another, and give testimony to Christ’s work in their lives, it is a powerful witness to the love of God. People want to be part of a community where they are valued and loved.
Fellowship aids evangelism as believers bear witness to the gospel through their lives and invite others into the family of God.
Conclusion
Fellowship is a beautiful biblical concept that connects followers of Christ in purpose, faith, and deed. Through exploring fellowship activities, basis, and outcomes, we gain a deeper understanding of God’s design for meaningful relationships in the body of Christ.
While fellowship can happen in specific activities like communion, fundamentally it flows from the shared transforming work of the Holy Spirit in believers’ lives. Our common identity in Jesus outweighs differences and makes fellowship possible.
