The New Testament features the word and the idea of “koinonia” often. It is the word from the ancient Greek language which is translated “fellowship” in English. That word, “fellowship” has some kind of currency these days, but mostly in church circles or amongst Christians. You rarely, if ever, hear that word used anywhere else in society. To me, that makes it a special word.
Koinonia was the word used to describe the nature of the gathering of the people of God, such as in Acts 2 – it was more than merely social gathering.
Acts 2:42 (NIV)
They (the new believers) devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
Fellowship became the term in the New Testament church that conveyed much more than gathering together or just hanging out every now and then. It was a basic and regular, indispensable habit for believers. Koinonia was a hallmark of the early church, and has remained so to this very day. Why was fellowship so special? The main reason, to my mind, anyway, as I study the Word, is that when the people of God came together – even 2 or 3 in Jesus’ Name – Holy Spirit was there, too. Now, that just doesn’t happen when we hang out at the footy or got to the movies, does it? No. Fellowship is something in which the people of God participate, something that Holy Spirit is orchestrating at the same time, and in which we engage together in a rich mutuality. That is what makes the fellowship of believers unique in all the world.
This fellowship is an indispensable part of our discipleship journey. It is so important that the New Testament writers encouraged the church to not neglect the habit of it.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 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.”
The other thing about fellowship is that it is not a “service” provided by the church. Many believers today do not properly value and respect fellowship enough and see it as an optional thing for when it suits them. This is because of the increasing consumer Christian attitude out there where the church becomes a kind of religious supermarket providing all kinds of spiritual goods and services when we want them. This is the opposite of what fellowship really is. Fellowship has two key goals. One, it is the very first place in the life of the church where I contribute my encouragement, love, support and ministry to the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ – it is not consumeristic, but generous and, sometimes, sacrificial. My Connect Group is the very first place where I participate with the goal of, somehow, blessing others with … myself, and who I am to others as I grow in Christ. And here is the crucial thing: when we all do that, in that same spirit, Holy Spirit orchestrates amongst that mutuality a blessing far in excess of the combined total of all our contributions. It is remarkable. It’s supernatural. It’s fellowship …
The second key goal fellowship that emerges out of our gathering, praying and studying the Word together is that I am accountable to others for my discipleship journey – even though I am the Senior Pastor, unaccountable discipleship is not an option for me. Even when I feel I am so busy.
“… not giving up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing …” sounds a warning that we all must heed today more than ever. We can never be too busy for fellowshipping with other believers. It is a basic, first contribution of myself to my fellow believers out of obedience and reverence for Christ and love for the household of God. None of us can dare to assume that our individual contribution in the fellowship is optional, won’t be missed, or is unimportant. Our individual contributions are vital and Holy Spirit delights in facilitating all of it for our greater blessing.
Jesus taught in not so many words that He, personally, was at the heart of fellowship …
Matthew 18:20 (NIV)
“For where two or three gather in my name,
there am I with them."
I love that! Jesus participates in the fellowship of believers who gather in His name – which is more than socialising and hospitality. We gather in fellowship for Him, and for each other. This same thought is echoed by the apostle John:
1 John 1:3-4 (NIV)
“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete.”
If you’re not gathering for fellowship, you’re seriously missing out, and so are your brothers and sisters. If you’re not in a Connect Group for fellowship you’re missing out. If you don’t have time for regular fellowship with other believers you’re just too busy – way too busy – and you won’t grow.
See me about joining a Connect Group near you!
Think on this.
Ps Milton