Acts 2:42

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42)

 

Much goes on in Christian churches today under the name of "fellowship." Usually this consists of coffee and donuts, or church socials, or sports. As delightful as these functions may be, they should not be confused with biblical fellowship.

 

Nowhere in the New Testament do any of the Greek words translated "fellowship" imply fun times. Rather, they talk of, for example, "the fellowship of the ministering to the saints"

 

Elsewhere, Paul was thankful for the Philippian believers' "fellowship in the gospel", for he knew that "inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers |same word as fellowship| of my grace". This sort of fellowship may even bring persecution.

 

We are to emulate Christ's humility and self-sacrificial love through the "fellowship of the Spirit"