Fellowship

INTRODUCTION

There is primarily one word that is translated as “fellowship,” in the New Testament and it is the Greek word koinonia. This word is derived from koinos, which means to have something in common. When it becomes koinonia, which is primarily how it is used in the New Testament, it conveys the idea of fellowship, interaction, mutual participation, or partnership. Acts 2:42 is a great example of fellowship, where we are told about the early Church:

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (NKJV).

The word “fellowship” in this verse reveals that right from the outset of the Early Church, the believers entered into fellowship, interaction and partnership with one another. This fellowship and partnership became so strong that it carried them through the turbulent periods of their time; and accelerating fellowship today cannot do less. In a similar way, the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians speaks of their “partnership” in the Gospel; he meant that they were his partners (1:5). He was doing his part and they were doing theirs and, together, they made a great team that was having an eternal impact. Everyone was on the same team, moving toward the same goal. They were simply fulfilling different roles to get the work of the church done. Evaluation of the Bible and church’ history unravels that men have been used by God to play important roles in accelerating (fellowship) the work of God. Men have the responsibility to live in a way that honors God and reflects his character. God has been pictured in the Bible as seeking to use men to fulfill his eternal purpose. Every (man) member of the church is commanded to be a godly example that leads others to grow in Christ; men of the church are specially commissioned to serve others in the church.  Leadership over the entire church history is a role that has featured men prominently. In the absence of ready men, God had used women. This was an exception rather than a rule.