I have always felt the word “fellowship” to be a uniquely
Christian word. I don’t hear it used in much casual conversation outside the
church setting and probably for good reason. It is the word used most commonly
to translate the Greek word koinonia
in the New Testament which is a derivative of koinos which translates to “common.” Koinonos, another derivative is used to describe a relationship
derived from sharing something in common. A relationship based on common values
and shared responsibilities. In classical Greek it was used to refer to
marriages that shared a common focus in life as well as common struggles.
Paul’s reminder in 1
Corinthians 1:9, that, “God is faithful, who has called
you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” gives us pause as we
ask for peace in a world where God has called us to be peace makers. It is not
possible to have intimate communion with God without having intimate participation
in the will of God.
When the Apostle John shares his insights in his last
letters his prologue says, “We proclaim to you hat we have seen and heard, so
that you may have fellowship (intimate
participation) with us” he is reminding us our communion with God is
determined by our communion (intimate
participation) with each other. Of course, on the broader scale, in God’s
economy, the “each other” refers to all whom God has called to be His own.
I call attention to this conditional requirement for
relationship to God as a way of underlining the quintessential definition of
church activity in Acts 2:42-47,
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the
breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many
wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and
had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone
who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.
They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising
God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their
number daily those who were being saved.”
I wonder if the “adding to their number” by God was because
they were truly in fellowship.