The Importance of Fellowship

The word “fellowship” in the New Testament is an interesting word. In Acts 2:42 we are told that the early church “continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Several things occur here. Ultimately this is a picture of the early church at worship. There are the various elements seen here of the apostle’s teaching or preaching, fellowship among the believers (which we will take a closer look at), the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, and corporate prayer.

Worship primarily is focused toward God. We gather together and corporately give honor and glory to God. Even individual worship during a daily devotional time is looking primarily toward God. Fellowship moves beyond worship in the sense that, as Christians, together as one body we are partakers of all that we experience in Christ Jesus.

Fellowship involves a direct relationship, first with Christ as Savior, and then with one another as fellow partakers in all that Christ has for us. Romans 12:5 tells us that “we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” We belong to each other and we are united in Christ. Together we make up the “body of Christ” and each one of us is needed by the other to make the church complete and to further the gospel of Christ. So, according to the Scriptures, the focus of fellowship is on the relationship between Christians, a relationship that is based in Christ.

We are all “members of one another.” There are no so-called “lone ranger” Christians. As a believer in Christ you are to be involved in the lives of your fellow believers and they are to be involved in your life as well. You cannot go it alone. It is important to be there for each other. Laugh together, weep together, work together for the Lord, learn together in the Lord, help each other as anyone has need. That is what the Christian life is all about.

Paul tells us that, because we belong to one another, we are to submit “to one another in the fear of God” (Eph. 5:21). In Colossians 3:16 he adds, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.” James says to “confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (James 5:16).

As you can see, we are in this together. Not only do we belong to each other, but, as believers in Christ, we are to have fellowship with each other. That means we are to teach each other what the Lord has given us. We are to admonish each other as needed to keep each of us on the right path with God. We are to pray for each other, which means we are to communicate our needs to one another. Simply put, we are to be there for each other whenever someone has need.

Be giving and generous in your helping. That is Christian fellowship. Never too busy, never distracted. Always available when needed. Making a point to gather together and fellowship with one another. Amen.