Las Vegas, Nevada Church
Affiliated with the Intercontinental Church of God and the Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association

  
 

Fellowship            MP3

 

What is fellowship?  What does the Bible have to say about fellowship?


The term “fellowship” is used sixteen times in the King James version.  Let us take a survey of these verses:

(Leviticus 6:2)  If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbor.

Note:  We can’t lie in fellowship.

 

(Psalms 94:20)  Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?

Note: We are not to have fellowship with iniquity [gross immorality or injustice; wickedness, sin].

 

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

Note: Firstfruits seek fellowship with church doctrine and those who preach it.

 

(1 Corinthians 1:9)  God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Note: Firstfruits are called into fellowship with Christ.

 

(1 Corinthians 10:20)  But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

Note: Firstfruits are not to have fellowship with devils.

 

(2 Corinthians 6:14)  Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Note:  Firstfruits are not to have fellowship with unrighteousness.

 

(2 Corinthians 8:4)  Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

Note: Our fellowship should be with other firstfruits, ministering to them [seeing to their needs].

 

(Galatians 2:9)  And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

Note:  James, Peter and John [the apostles], fellowshipped with Paul even though their duty positions differed within the Work of God.

 

(Ephesians 3:9)  And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Note:   Our fellowship is with Christ.

 

(Ephesians 5:11)  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Note: Firstfruits are to have no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness.  [Reprove them]: Our words and deeds are to be opposite of the works of darkness.  Our fellowship is to be in the works of light, the principles of God; fruits of the Spirit.

 

(Philippians 1:5)  For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.

Note:  Our fellowship is in the Work of God and the Salvation Process.

(Philippians 2:1-5)  If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

 

Note: Fellowship involves the brethren being likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord and of one mind.  It involves holding the other in better esteem than ourselves.  It involves being like Christ in our concern for the other firstfruits and the entire congregation.

 

(Philippians 3:10)  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.

Note: We are to have fellowship in the sufferings of Christ and with His death.  We are to conform to His death and sacrifice.

 

(1 John 1:3)  That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Note: Our fellowship with each other is based on our sharing in the truth of God via sermons, Bible studies, doctrine and the Work of the gospel.  Our fellowship is with the Father and the Son Jesus Christ at the same time and in the same way it is with the congregation.

 

(1 John 1:6)  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

Note:  Fellowship is always fellowship in truth.  If we lie, we are not really in this fellowship.

 

(1 John 1:7)  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Note:  Christ is in the light.  All firstfruits are in the same light.  All those in the light have fellowship with each other.  The essential element that makes the fellowship work is that all the firstfruits are in the light.

 

DEFINITION from Dictionary.com:

These are definitions we see in a typical dictionary.  They fall far short of what we will see in the biblical definition.

1. the condition or relation of being a fellow: the fellowship of humankind. 
2. friendly relationship; companionship: the fellowship of father and son. 
3. community of interest, feeling, etc.
4. communion, as between members of the same church.
5. friendliness. 
6. an association of persons having similar tastes, interests, etc.
7. a company, guild, or corporation.

–verb (used with object) 9. to admit to fellowship, esp. religious fellowship.

–verb (used without object) 10. to join in fellowship, esp. religious fellowship.

DEFINITION from Bible Dictionaries:

Fellowship

(I.) With God, consisting in the knowledge of his will (Job_22:21; John_17:3); agreement with his designs (Amos_3:2); mutual affection (Romans_8:38, Romans_8:39); enjoyment of his presence (Psalms_4:6); conformity to his image (1 John_2:6; 1 John_1:6); and participation of his felicity (1 John_1:3, 1 John_1:4; Ephesians_3:14-21).

(II.) Of saints with one another, in duties (Romans_12:5; 1 Corinthians _12:1; 1Thessalonians_5:17, 1 Thessalonians _5:18); in ordinances (Hebrews_10:25; Acts_2:46); in grace, love, joy, etc. (Mal_3:16; 2 Corinthians_8:4); mutual interest, spiritual and temporal (Romans_12:4, Romans_12:13; Hebrews_13:16); in sufferings (Romans_15:1, Romans_15:2; Galatians_6:1, Galatians_6:2; Romans_12:15; and in glory (Revelation_7:9).

This Bible dictionary makes it clear that true Christian fellowship involves more than association, friendship or even communion with others in the church.  It is deeper and much more profound.  There are a number of essential requirements and elements all working together on different levels for fellowship with the brethren to be effective. We can easily demonstrate this by looking at the scriptures referenced in the biblical definition above.

I Fellowship with God

1] Fellowship with God consists in the knowledge of his will.
Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. –Job 22:21

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. –John 17:3

2] Fellowship with God is agreement with His designs
You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. – Amos 3:2

3] Mutual affection
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. –Romans 8:38-39

4] Enjoyment of His presence
There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. –Psalm 4:6

5] Conformity to His image
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. –1 John 2:6

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: –1 John 1:6

6] Participation of His Felicity
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.  And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.  –1 John 1:3-4

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,  May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. –Ephesians 3:14-21

II Fellowship of the Saints with One Another

1] In duties
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. –Romans 12:5

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.  1 Corinthians 12:1

Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.  –1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

2] In ordinances
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. –Hebrews 10:25

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart. –Acts 2:46

3] In grace, love, joy, etc. [Godly Principles]
Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.  –Malachi 3:16

 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. –2 Corinthians 8:4

4] Mutual interest, spiritual and temporal
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. –Hebrews 12:3, 13

But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Hebrews 13:16

5] In sufferings
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. –Romans 15:1-2

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. –Galatians 6:1-2

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. –Romans 12:15

6] In glory
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. –Revelation 7:9

Survey of Our Doctrine: Fellowship with the Brethren
One of our thirty-three posted doctrines is, “Fellowship with the Brethren” which is posted on our Church web site in the Church Directory here: http://www.intercontinentalcog.org/STP/stp31.htm.

What follows in this section are the key statements from this doctrine:

Christian Fellowship:
1] is the religious interaction of church members among themselves.
2] is the religious interaction of church members with God.
3] is a spiritual association through the Holy Spirit.
4] transcend normal social or business relationships.
5] requires that one be in the Salvation Process.
6] builds spiritual strength.
7] enhances the conviction of the individual.
8] enhances the strength of the entire group.
9] is not an end in itself.
10] builds a unified church that serves to strengthen the member spiritually and physically.
11] builds a tool that God can use to conduct the Work.
12] requires that members are moving forward in the Salvation process and invoking Godly principles by the power of the Holy Spirit [fruits of the Spirit].

Key Statements from the Doctrine:

God deals with His church as a group in addition to dealing with individual members [1 Corinthians 12].

1 Corinthians 12:12:  The body is one and has many members and all members, being many are one body.

The Bible is filled with instances of the members meeting as a body.

The supreme goal and commission of the Body is to spread the gospel.  To reach the world with the gospel of Christ requires that the church be a unified group, built of spiritually strong members.

The Body must be welded together in purpose, doctrine and love.  The fellowship of the Body helps build these qualities.

That the church should be unified cannot be doubted.

…for you are all one in Christ Jesus. –Galatians 3:28

The key principle concerning church fellowship is to realize that such associations among the brethren are through God and His Spirit.

The reason we have fellowship with each other as members is because we first have fellowship with Christ and the Father.

Fellowship with Christ and the Father takes place because we have the Holy Spirit.

The fellowship of the Spirit is the bond that ties Christians together (Philippians 2:1).

If one does not have the Holy Spirit, he is not truly a Christian (Romans 8:9)

Our fellowship on a larger scale unites our local churches around the world.

All church social events are designed to build love and camaraderie among ourselves.  With camaraderie, we can fulfil the commissions of the church.

Benefits of Fellowship:
1] the stronger help the weaker (Galatians 6:1)
2] bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)
3] the strong receive the weak (Romans 14:1).
4] the strong edify the weak (Romans 15:1-2).
5] we exhort one another (Hebrews 3:13).
6] pray for one another (James 5:16-20).
7] we love one another (1 Peter 3:8).
8] forgive one another (Colossians 3:13).
9] be in harmony (Colossians 3:14).
10] teach and admonish one another in wisdom (Colossians 3:16).
11] help fulfill physical needs—visit the widow and fatherless (James 1:27)
12] sharing one with another (Acts 2:41-47)

Conclusion
Fellowship is a key element in the Body of Christ, the church and the Salvation Process.  It was invented and designed by God for firstfruits.  It is part of our Godly calling.  We are called to fellowship with God and with all firstfruits in the congregation.  We are called to fellowship in doctrine, truth, the gospel and the Word of God through the Holy Spirit.

Christian fellowship is deeper, broader and more meaningful than normal friendship and business relationships.  It is more than just being friendly and glad-handing at Sabbath services.  It is a deep connecting between individuals with like minds who hold dear the same doctrines.

For fellowship to be effective, the firstfruit must be addressing all its elements with equal diligence and fervency.  It begins first with our relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ.  This is accomplished through full immersion in the Word of God to know the mind of God and Christ.
 		  
 

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Las Vegas, Nevada Church of God - part of The Intercontinental Church of God and The Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association - Tyler, Texas