“That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you 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 word Fellowship which also means Communion comes from the Greek word Koinonia. The fellowship of which The New Testament speaks is one of the most important doctrines of the Christian life. Of the early Church we read:
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers….So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart” (Acts 2:42, 46).
It wasn’t long before heresies, schisms, and non-Christian practices began to fragment the churches; nevertheless, fellowship remains a vital Biblical doctrine toward which all Christians should strive.
Today, with our multiplicity of sects and denominations, the concept of the communion of the saints seems almost an Anomaly. Yet there is still a very real and blessed fellowship among Bible-believing christians of all denominations, and this is one of the great blessings of the christian life.
True fellowship, of course, must be based on truth in doctrine and practice. As our text indicates, real spiritual fellowship with fellow christians must be based, first of all, on fellowship with the father and the son.
“If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood Of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:6-7).
Christian fellowship is built on more than food and fun, but on truth and light.
Have a Blessed Week:
Pastor Bob