Bible Fellowship
I. Meaning Of The Word "Fellowship."
The word fellowship is translated from the Greek into English from three Greek words. They are: koinonia--the word most frequently used--also metoche and sugko. It is derived from one of these words and used fifteen times in the New Testament. The koinonia (fellowship) carried with it the idea of "communion" or "to become a partaker with."
Vincent makes this suggestion: "A relationship between individuals which involves a common interest and a mutual active participation in that interest and in each other." (Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament, Vol. 1, p.456.)
II. Word "Fellowship" As Used In The New Testament.
We should keep in mind as we study this word that we are concerned only with its usage with reference to the teachings of the New Testament and to Christian living. I believe it will help us to better understand the teachings of the New Testament with regard to "having fellowship" with a person or congregation if we better understand what the word means and examine the context in which it is used. It will also help us to have a better concept of what the Scriptures teach concerning a "withdrawal" of fellowship, which we will study later in this writing. Hence, we shall endeavor to present the passages that are used in the New Testament and strive to place them in their proper place in harmony with the Scriptures, and the context.
"Jointly Contributing"
II Cor. 8:4 has to do with the contribution or collection that was taken up for the "poor saints" in Jerusalem and derived at the close of Paul's third missionary journey. Mr. Thayer seems to think that the passage under consideration, in which the word "fellowship" is used, expresses a "benefaction jointly contributed." (Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon, p.352.) The brethren at Corinth were engaging in a "joint effort" with the brethren in Macedonia and Achaia determining to send relief to the "poor saints" in Jerusalem. The word here, as elsewhere in the New Testament, seems to carry with it the idea of a relationship that exists between people plus a joint participation in a thing that they were determining to do. We might note here that there is a difference in a relation and the word "fellowship. When a relation or relationship exists between two or more people, it may exist as a result of their having the same father. For example: I have a brother in the flesh whom I have not seen in several months. We hold the same relation one toward the other that we have held since we were both born into this world. If we live to be a hundred, we will hold the same relationship we have had down through the years. However, during these past few months, we have had no fellowship one with the other. Instead of there being simply a relationship that exists, there must be a joint participation in doing a thing before there can be fellowship.
Many times brethren refer to the word "brotherhood" as being comparable to the word "fellowship." The only time that the word brotherhood is used in the New Testament, it is in 1 Pet. 2:17. It stands for the aggregate of Christian brethren regarded as one body in Christ. Fellowship could not be used with reference to the "brotherhood," for there is nothing involved in the way of brotherhood activities in which we may engage.
"Partnership In A Common Life"
It seems to me that in the passages we are about to discuss, the word "fellowship" denotes a "partnership" in a common endeavor. This is apparently the case in Acts 2:42; II Cor. 6:14.
Lake and Cadbury observe that the term may denote either of the following: (1) fellowship with the apostles (2) the community of goods later practiced (3) the breaking of bread (4) almsgiving. (The Beginnings of Christianity, Vol.4, page 27). There does not seem to be any reference here to the community of goods later practiced; neither does there seem to be any connection with the breaking of bread. We might note here that there is no reference made in the New Testament of "fellowship" with reference to the "common meal."
We have fellowship with God, because we are made partakers of the divine nature as we escape the corruption which is in the world through lust. We have fellowship with his Son, because of the efforts that we put forth in striving to follow in his foot-steps, and through our efforts to bring souls to Jesus Christ. We also have fellowship with the Holy Spirit, because if we are living as we should. He is dwelling in us.
"Fellowship In The Spreading Of The Gospel"
In Phil. 1:5 "fellowship" denotes a partnership in the work of spreading the Gospel of Christ. They are engaging in the same work. This seems to carry with it the same idea that is found in Acts 2:42. In fact, Lenski thinks the usages are the same. (The Interpretation of St. Paul's Epistles to the Galatians and to the Ephesians and to the Philippians, p.708.)
"Fellowship With Christ"
Paul speaks of a "fellowship" of the Son, 1 Cor. 1:9. This denotes a "joint participation" or sharing with Christ all His Spiritual benefits.
Christians may become "joint participants" with Christ in suffering for his name's sake, Phil. 3:10. We recognize that the apostle Paul had become a participant in the suffering of Christ according toll Cor. 11. Rom. 8:17 tells us that "if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." Thus, if we suffer for the same things he suffered for, at the last day we will be counted among the faithful. As He was blessed by God, so we too will be blessed by God.
"Fellowship With God"
The passages of Scripture that we shall consider at this time denotes a partnership with God. These passages are: 1 Jno. 1:3,6,7. The word Fellowship occurs twice in verse 3, once in verse 6, and once in verse 7.
In what sense are we "partners" with God? We become "partners" or have "fellowship" with God when we "walk in the light." (v.7) As Christ walked in the light--for He came into the world to bring light--so we must walk in the light of the gospel. In I Cor. 10:20, Paul tells us that we should have no fellowship with the devil. John speaks of one who hateth his brother as being in darkness. (I Jno. 2:11). Since hatred is a work of the devil, and is contrasted here with walking in the light and of love, so to walk in darkness would be to have fellowship with the devil. Paul also mentions having fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness in Eph. 5:11, and warns us that instead of walking in them, we should reprove them. Thus, if we are to have fellowship with God, we cannot condone or engage in the unfruitful works of darkness.
"Fellowship Of The Spirit"
It Phil. 2:1, Paul speaks of the "fellowship of the Spirit." It seems to me that in order to have fellowship in the Spirit, a person would have to walk according to the direction of the Spirit, or be led by the Spirit. Paul tells us in Gal. 5:22 that the fruit of the Spirit is "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." Hence, if a person is led by the Spirit he would of necessity have to engage in the things that make up the fruits of the Spirit.
Perhaps the "fellowship of the mystery" that is spoken of in Eph. 3:3 would have reference to the "walking in the Spirit" also. In verses 3 and 4 Paul tells them what the mystery is. He says: "How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words) whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ." Christ made the statement in John 14:26 that when he departed, the Spirit would come to direct them into all the truth, and bring to their remembrance whatsoever He had commanded them. The mystery was then, the facts of the coming of the Christ into the world to give his life a ransom for many, and to save all those who would obey him; by the shedding of his own blood that we might become sons of God and be added to His body the church.
"The Right Hand Of Fellowship"
Thus, we come to the last verse that we are going to consider in this study of the word "fellowship." In Gal. 2:9, the Apostle Paul writes concerning the joint participation in the spreading of the gospel. The gospel was to be preached unto the heathen by Paul and Barnabas; and Peter, James and John were to preach unto those of the circumcision.
It is to be noted, however, that in the preaching of the gospel, they were all to speak the same things. This lesson had been taught to the Corinthians in 1 Cor. 1:10-16. It had also been taught to the Galatian brethren in the first chapter of the Galatian letter. He said if any person or angel should preach anything other than the things that had been taught by the apostles, the curses of God would rest upon him. In verse 14 of the second chapter, Paul makes mention of his encounter with Peter and his sharp rebuke for the thing that Peter had done wrong. We recognize that if a person does wrong because of the weakness of the flesh, if that person is willing to repent or turn away from that sin, God will forgive him. (2 Pet. 3:9)
You will recall we mentioned a person walking in the light, and if he walked in the light he had fellowship with God and Christ. It would of necessity follow, that if a person was not walking in the light he would not be in fellowship with God and Christ.
I am convinced that there are many things that may not be agreed upon by members of the body of Christ that will not keep them from entering heaven. For example, whether or not the soul of a man and the Spirit of a man are the same or different. I believe that a person might disagree on frivolous matters and be saved. However, I do not believe that the Bible teaches a man may believe anything he desires in the things that pertain to becoming a Christian, or the work of the church, for these are given in the form of commands and examples in the New Testament.
I believe that "extending the right hand of fellowship" (Gal. 2:9) is comparable to "bidding him God speed." (2 John 11.) Thus, I would like to suggest that according to the definition of the word "fellowship", that we could do anything with a man that was right within itself, if it could not be construed to suggest that we were bidding him God speed.
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