Day 12 - Church: A Spirit Filled Fellowship
A very important aspect of Christianity is revealed in John’s first letter: “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.” 1 John 1:3. The church is to be a fellowship of Spirit-filled believers in Jesus Christ, which fellowship includes fellowship with the Father and Son. The fellowship is facilitated by the Spirit; “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.” Philippians 2:1-2
“The Greek word translated fellowship is ‘koinonia.’ The noun form of this term means to share in, participate in, or to be actively involved in. The verb form means to communicate, distribute, and impart. Hence, to “koinonia” together means much more than simply sitting together in the sanctuary for Sabbath worship or playing games together at a social. The New Testament meaning of fellowship goes much deeper. In essence, it means ministering to one another. It is not simply knowing one another’s names, knowing where we live and warmly greeting one another at church Sabbath morning. It means sharing one another’s hopes, dreams, struggles and pains. It means allowing God to use us to minister to one another. This aspect of ‘koinonia’ fellowship is discussed in great detail in the day’s devotionals on the fruit and gifts of the Spirit.” Spirit Baptism & New Wineskin Fellowship, p.15-16.
According to the New Testament, a church fellowship is an assembly of individuals called out of the world by God to become a community with common biblical beliefs, and who actively communicates, distribute, impart, and minister to one another.
“Hence, a New Testament Christian is more than an individual who believes a set of Bible doctrines and goes to church. A New Testament Christian also has meaningful, close fellowship with God and his fellow believers. We see this kind of Christian described in the book of Acts: ‘And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers’ Acts 2:42.
“Three of the four things listed describing these early Christians are the group activities of fellowship, breaking of bread (eating together) and prayers. Prayer is both an individual and group activity. In the context of Acts 2:42 group prayer is most likely being described.
“When we consider the meaning of “koinonia” and read the description of the early church, it becomes clear that involvement in genuine fellowship is necessary if one is a Christian in the truest New Testament sense. God’s design is that the church be a caring Spirit filled fellowship where people actively minister to one another. If this is not happening in a church, then that group of believers is not truly a church. Rather, they are a group of independent individuals believing a common set of doctrines. That description could describe a wide variety of clubs and organizations in our society. God established His church to be much more than that” Ibid 16.
Also, it is in this kind of “koinonia” fellowship that the fruit and gifts of the Spirit most readily function. That is why Paul describes the church as a “body.” ! Corinthians 12. Each body part or member of the body is interdependent on the other members of the body. In Ephesians 4:15-16 Paul continues to describe the interrelationship of the members of the body of Christ, the church. “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
The book of Acts tells us that the early Christians met both in the “temple” and from “house to house.” (Acts 2:46) As the Christians became unwelcome in the Jewish temples, their homes became the focal point of their worship and fellowship. The homes of the believers were the place where they met for praise, fellowship, and teaching. Below is a list of many of the homes mentioned in the New Testament where the Christians met: Jason’s house at Thessalonica (Acts 17:5-9), Titus Justus’ home at Corinth, Philip’s house at Caesarea, Lydia’s house (Acts 16:14), Aquila and Priscilla’s home in Corinth or Rome (1Corinthians 16:19; Romans 16:5), Stephanas’ home (1Corinthians 1:16), The house of Nympha (Colossians 4:15), The upper room of a house in Jerusalem where the Holy Spirit was first poured out on the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:13), Paul taught both publicly and from house to house in Ephesus (Acts 20:20).
Discussion Questions
How is genuine Christian fellowship facilitated?
What does the biblical word “koinoia,” fellowship, mean?
Why would the fruit and gifts of the Spirit function best in koinoia fellowship?
Where did the early Christians meet when they were unwelcome in the Jewish synagogues?
Where did Paul teach?
Prayer Focus- Ask God to:
- Fill you with His Spirit
- Lead you and your church to be a genuine Spirit filled fellowship
- Bring revival to you and your church
- Bless those on your prayer list
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