True Body Life Results in Fellowship
Fellowship, 'koinonia' in the Greek, comes from the word 'koinos' which means 'common.' We can therefore conclude that fellowship is a sharing of what we have in common.
Also Read: Fellowship Defined
True Body Life Results in Fellowship Because of What We Have in Common
COMMON LIFE
To have fellowship with one another, we must both be walking in the light. We cannot be unequally yoked spiritually. We must both first be in fellowship with God the Father because of the shed blood of His Son Jesus Christ. Life in Christ is the foundation upon which fellowship is built.
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship (koinonia) with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)
COMMON PURPOSE
We are partners with other believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This yields an appreciation and cooperation with one another in seeing our common life shared with others.
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership (koinonia) in the gospel from the first day until now. (Philippians 1:4-5)
COMMON STEWARDSHIP
Acts 2:45 describes the early church -- "Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need." They recognized that all we have is from God and should therefore be used for His purpose in our life together. Their fellowship extended beyond their local bodies to contributing to the needs of other church bodies. It also involved more than the sharing of their material resources but also their time, talents, and spiritual gifts.
Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing (koinonia) with them and with everyone else. (2 Corinthians 9:13)
A common life promotes relationship with one another.
A common purpose promotes unity with one another.
A common stewardship promotes serving one another.
Fellowship requires a depth of expression toward one another that takes commitment. Body Life Ministry Manual contains the content in this post and also reflects on three areas of commitment needed to experience true fellowship with one another.
More on Fellowship:
- Does True Fellowship Need to be Restored in the Church?
- Church Fellowship Ideas in a High Tech, Low Touch World
- Getting Disillusioned People to Open Themselves to True Fellowship
- Ideas for Getting Busy People to Engage in True Fellowship
- Stressed Out People Need True Fellowship
- The Church is a Community
- The Church's Purpose to Love People Is Expressed Through Fellowship
- Resources & Ideas for Fellowship