Fellowship.

I feel like I’m starting to learn that through reading the scriptures – God, doesn’t want me to do this by myself.

He doesn’t want me to follow him on my own – that’s why he created church.

You’ve probably all read/heard Acts 2 before.

• They had been waiting in the room the tongues of fire came on over their heads.
• They came out speaking in different languages. 
• People could hear the gospel for the first time in their own language and some said “They’re drunk”.
• I love Peters reply – “are you kidding me its only 9am!”

And 3000 accepted Christ that day. It’s a cool tough to believe story - which wouldn’t have mattered if that was the end. 

Chapter 2:

 42-47 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Usually all I remember from this verse is “They sold property to give to anyone in need”.  Then I feel guilty for having stuff.  But clearly there were other things important to the new believers. 

First of all look at the language used.  How many times does the author use plural language such as they, them, together, all the people, everyone. It was definitely NOT a me, myself and I sort of situation.

Going back to verse 42….  I have no problems accepting devotion of prayer and listening to teaching but I never noticed the fellowship part. How can I DEVOTE myself to fellowship – doesn’t it just happen?

Me and my friends always joke with the term fellowship. Having friends over? Fellowship. Going to a movie? Fellowship. To the (Gulp) Pub? Fellowship.

The term is so watered down, that I don’t really know what this fellowship is.  So I had to look it up.

Biblical Meaning –

1. Like any good pastor (which I am not) I went back to the Greek. The origin of ‘Fellowship’ in Greek is Konenia. The root of the word meaning is to “hold something in Common”. 
2. It was used to describe corporations, partners business, and the most intimate of marriage relationships. Fellowship has a nature of dependency on more than one individual. It is an interdependent relationship.
3. An Action word! Koinonia is used nineteen times in the New Testament. Translated as “fellowship”, “contribution,” “sharing,” and “participation.” Action is always included in its meaning. Fellowship is not just being together, it is doing together! This is a point I’ve admittedly completely overlooked.

Fellowship involves actively doing God’s will. Not just having potluck dinners or watching football or playing basketball with other believers. These have their place but they are only fellowship to the extent that rest, exercise, and eating are doing the work of the Lord.

NT people just didn’t have fellowship; they devoted themselves to it. This means that fellowship was a priority and one of the objectives for gathering together. They made fellowship a priority.

So what have I gotten out of this?

Many times I feel like I hear from God or are struggling with something. But I just keep it to myself. Other times I can see that someone might be hurting but it’s too awkward to bring something up.

I would encourage us as a body of strong unified believers to actively pursue one another. Be open and honest with each other and lets not be lazy in ‘being’ - but rather work hard in ‘doing’.