What is Fellowship?

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FELLOWSHIP

I Corinthians 1:9  God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His son Jesus Christ our Lord.

The word “called” is eklaleo, the verb form of the word translated “church.” (ekklesia)  So, we were “churched”, by God,  into the fellowship of Jesus Christ our Lord.  And that is what church is, by God’s definition.  Church is the fellowship of Jesus Christ our Lord.  And who has churched us? GOD!

Fellowship is also translated communion and includes the idea of partaking (taking part, or taking a part).  This means that in a fellowship there is something for everyone to take.  But also that there is something for everyone to give.

The word “into” is the Greek word eis and is described by a ray (line) coming from outside a circle and ending at the center of the circle.  So God did not call us to the fringe, or edge, of fellowship in Christ.  He called us into the center, into the heart, of the full sharing of His son.  We are surrounded by that lovingly spiritual give and take.

Ephesians 4:15,16  But speaking the truth (this verb form of the word “truth” could be better translated, “expressing the truth”) in love may grow up into him in all things who is the head, Christ.  From whom the whole body is fitly joined together and is compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the building of itself in love.

See that word “according?”  That means that what will ultimately determine the size and strength of the body is the effectual (or effective) working of Christ in each individual member !!!  How the building of the body is carried out is by the supplying, or giving, of each individual member, according to what he/she has received from Christ, to the benefit of the whole.  So in our fellowship, I am not the head.  Christ is the head.  I am not the leader.  Christ is the leader.  I am not the “go-to guy.”  Christ is the “go-to guy.”  I am not the answer man.  Christ is the answer man.  I am not the heart.  Christ is the heart.

You have a relationship with Jesus Christ.  You fellowship with him, and then you add what Christ has supplied to you into the fellowship of the saints (not just in a meeting, but one on one, face to face, in small groups, on the street, at home, at work, etc.), and the body of Christ grows!  It is a gorgeous thing to be a part of.  Actually, in all of the Word of God, there is absolutely nothing greater….I mean in all of creation, there is nothing greater than the body of Christ and how it operates.

The greatest of all of God’s creation….the absolute pinnacle of the ability of God in all of His creation, is the body of Christ and how it operates and will operate for all eternity.

I John 1:3,4   That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that you 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.

The purpose of God’s Word to us is that our joy may be full.  Measure what you read in the Bible against this stated purpose of God the Father in communicating with you.  Does it bring you into fellowship with His son Jesus Christ?  Does it cause joy to grow within you?  If the answer to both those questions is not yes and yes, then you are understanding the Word of God incorrectly.  (And many many people do).
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Other related studies are:
Do I HAVE to go to Church?
What Christian Group Should I Belong To?
What or Who is antichrist?
The Mystery of Christ