Lesson #18. The Importance of Christian Fellowship

Key Truth: To explore the importance of Christian fellowship and examine what is involved in true Christian fellowship. The study provides teaching to challenge believers to stay committed to their local church on its mission.

1. THE OLD TESTAMENT SABBATH CONNECTION WITH THE LORD’S DAY: God enshrined Sabbath day observance in the Ten Commandments. It was to ensure that the nation of Israel would not forget their Creator and Redeemer.
   1. In Exodus the Sabbath was given to consider the wonders of creation – 8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labour, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work … 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy (Exo.20:8-11).
   2. The surviving Israelites from the wilderness journeys were to remember God’s miraculous deliverance from Egypt – 12 “‘Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you … 15 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day (Deut.5:12 & 15).
   3. All the Ten Commandments apply and are repeated in the New Testament except for the keeping of the Sabbath days that included many holy days including the seven Festivals of Israel (see Lev.23:1-44; Col.2:16-23).
   4. A study of the New Testament reveals that Christians met together on Sunday, the first day of the week, the day Jesus rose from the dead (see Mk.16:9; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor.16:2; Rev1:10).
2. CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP IS NOT CONFINED TO A PARTICULAR DAY: The early church was made up of Jewish believers before Gentiles were added to the church. The controversy created by Judaizers is addressed in a number of epistles when these Jews demanded Sabbath keeping (and circumcision) for Gentile members of the church (see Acts 15:1-2). Paul addressed the preference of Sabbath keeping and insisted that for him every day belonged to the Lord’s Day – One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind (Rom.14:5). He explained that Sabbaths – … are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ (Col.2:17). Being a Christian is not about what we do on one particular day of the week but how we live out our relationship with the Lord every day of the week. Nevertheless, we are urged – not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Heb.10:25).
3. THE CASE FOR RETAINING THE WORD ‘FELLOWSHIP’ RATHER THAN ‘COMMUNITY’: The English word FELLOWSHIP has generally been the translation of the New Testament word koinonia (Greek: κοινωνία). It is a broad word that variously describes Fellowship (see Acts 2:42; 2 Cor.13:14; 1 Jn.1:3, 6-7); Contribution (see Rom.15:26, 2 Cor.9:13); Participation (see 1 Cor.10:16; Phil.2:1) Taking part (see 2 Cor.8:4); Partnership (see Phil.1:5); and Sharing (see Heb.13:16). Below we will examine what the New Testament teaches about Fellowship and will observe that these descriptions define what Christian fellowship is all about. The word COMMUNITY generally describes the people living in a same place, neighbourhood, suburb, or locality. They are mostly unbelievers with a sprinkling of Christians. They are the ones Christ has called us to reach for Him with the gospel.
4. A WARNING FROM ENDTIME PROPHECIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT: Christ and the apostles warned us about the falling away during the Endtimes. In His Olivet discourse, Jesus responded to the private questions of His disciples – Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age? (Mt.24:3). Amongst many predictions, Jesus warned – 10 Many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved (Mt.24:10-13). He cautioned them earlier – … Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Lk.18:8). In the Greek the question implies a negative answer. The New Testament writers likewise suggested there will be widespread apostasy toward the close of the age (see 1 Tim.4:1-2; 2 Tim.3:1-9; 2 Pet.3:3-7; Jude 1:17-19). Knowing this will help us not to neglect Christian fellowship that undergirds our faith.
5. THE TREND OF SUBSTITUTING FELLOWSHIP WITH ONLINE CHURCH: None of the modern-day changes to our society have caught the Lord by surprise (see Isa.46:9-10). The technological changes have opened up a whole new world that has made this generation ‘time-poor’. That in turn has changed the patterns of church participation for many. For many people, church attendance has become occasional and for others, they have fallen away altogether. The world underwent major changes with the 9/11 terrorist destruction of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre on 11th September 2001. More lately, the 2019-21 Covid 19 Pandemic has had a dramatic impact on patterns of fellowship. It has impacted the church’s freedom to express its worship and apply the New Commandment of Jesus. Many have understandably avoided ‘going to church’ services opting rather to watch services and listen to messages on-line. The result is that many have dropped out of Christian fellowship altogether. People rationalize that they can select worship that suits their style and that they are able to choose preachers that provide faithful preaching of the Bible. It can seem like a more comfortable way of following the orthodox faith. Although this has an element of truth, does it stand up to the scrutiny of the Scriptures?
6. THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH IS A BODY NOT A BUILDING: We often speak about the church as a building. We talk about ‘going to church’. However, the church of Jesus Christ is most commonly described in the New Testament as a BODY. Jesus is the Head of that body and true followers are His body. Paul wrote that – Christ is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent (Col.1:18). The moment we come to Christ we become part of that body – 12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body … (1 Cor.12:12-13). This means we do not stand alone but are engrafted into the universal church (Eph.2:11-22). However, in the Acts of the apostles, members became part of the local church under appointed elders (Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28-32). A cursory reading of Acts reveals that numerous local churches were formed and letters bearing their names were sent to these churches at Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, and Colossae and doubtless many more. Messages were sent from the risen Christ to seven local churches recorded in Revelation Chapters 2-3. The leaders of all these churches will be held accountable by the Lord (see Heb.13:17; 1 Pet.5:1-4). The point is, the Bible does not endorse the practice of being disconnected from the body of Christ.
7. GOING TO CHURCH IS NOT NECESSARILY THE SAME AS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP The Lord has a much higher purpose for His children then simply attending church or watching a service on-line. Jesus highlighted this in His parable of the Vine – 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples … 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it to you (Jn.15:8 & 16). We were chosen to BEAR FRUIT for the Lord. There are two ways to understand this …
   1. GROWING TO BECOME LIKE GOD’S SON, JESUS CHRIST: Christian fellowship is the seedbed in which we can grow to become more like God’s Son (see Rom.8:29) and display the ‘Fruit of the Spirit’ (see Gal.5:22-23). It is this growth in Christlikeness that is the magnet that helps the world recognise us as the disciples of Jesus and to consider His claims on their lives (see Jn.13:34-35 c.f. Acts 4:13).
   2. USING OUR GIFTS TO LEAD UNBELIEVERS TO THE SAVIOUR: The numerical growth is another aspect of ‘fruitfulness’ that was characteristic of the early believers (see Acts 2:41, 47; 4:4; 5:14, 28, 11:24, 13:48-49). In fact, the religious leaders were so disturbed by the impact of the gospel that they threw the apostles in jail (see Acts 4:1-3; 5:17-18) and warned them – We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this Man’s blood upon us (Acts 5:28). God has distributed spiritual gifts to every believer (see Rom.12:3-8; 1 Pet.4:10-11) to enable them to build bridges to facilitate the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
8. WHAT THE NEW TESTAMENT TEACHES ABOUT ATTENDING A LOCAL CHURCH: After the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. and the removal of Israel from the land, synagogues sprung up in all the places Jews were scattered. They passed on what became ‘Judaism’ from one generation to another. The Law & the Prophets, Psalms (i.e. the Scriptures) and the traditions of Israel were taught and reinforced at the synagogue. Jesus not only made a great impact as a twelve year old boy at the temple in Jerusalem (see Lk.2:41-47) but it is recorded that it was His habit to attend the local synagogue (see Lk.4:16-17). That connection continued on after Pentecost (see Acts 2:42-47). Invariably, the missionary journeys started out from the Jewish synagogues until a local church was formed (see Acts 13:5, 14-15, 42-23; 14:1; 17:1-4, 10-12; 18:4; 19:8 etc). Let us consider the biblical call on Christian believers …
   
   1. WE GATHER TO WORSHIP THE LORD TOGETHER: From its birth, the church adopted many of the features of the synagogue. However, the Christian ministry was built on the New Covenant (see Jer.31:31-14; Ezk.36:22-28; Heb.8:1-13). They focussed on Christ and – devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers (Acts 2:42). Early on persecution curtailed some of the features of fellowship and made public worship dangerous. When Peter was miraculously released from prison, the Christians were hiding away behind closed doors and Peter struggled to gain entrance (see Acts 12:1-5, 12-16). But at Ephesus and in Colossae at least, they ministered to one another with ‘psalms and hymns and spiritual songs’ (see Eph.5:19; Col.3:16). The church’s worship also majored on prayer (see Acts 4:23-31; 12:5; 13:1-3; Tim.2:1-8). There was much more liberty amongst the churches outside of Judea as attested by the restrictions Paul gave to the Corinthian Church (see 1 Cor.14:26-40). Today, in the West, there are few restrictions to how we may worship the Lord with public worship, preaching, and teaching. These gatherings usually include the preaching of the Word, worship in song, prayer, observing of the ordinances, and mutual support.
   2. WE GATHER TO PREACH THE WORD: Jesus commanded us to – … teach them to observe all that I have commanded you (Mt.28:20). In his church planting efforts Paul and his companions would meet weekly. Paul reminded the Ephesians Elders – 18 … “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable and teaching you in public and from house to house … 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:18-20, 26-27). To his disciple and budding Pastor he wrote – 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching … 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers (1 Tim.4:13 & 16). He urged him to – Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth … (2 Tim.2:15). One of the features of church life is the preaching of the Word to edify God’s people.
   3. WE GATHER TO WITNESS TO THE RESURRECTION: Even before the birth of the church at Pentecost, the apostles understood that they were called to be witnesses of the resurrection (see Acts 1:22). From Pentecost onward they continued to preach the gospel that included their witness to the resurrection (see Acts 2:22-24; 3:14-15; 4:1-2, 10, 33 etc). It is noteworthy that after the miraculous healing of the lame man at the temple, Peter preached a comprehensive message of the resurrection that included a call to repentance … not a call for healing meetings (see Acts 3:11-26). Churches get side-tracked by different activities like running schools, Op shops, counselling services, food distribution, exercise clubs, and medical clinics etc. They usually start out as a genuine care to connect with the unsaved world. There is a danger that with this preoccupation that we fail to present the gospel. The world can use our taxes to meet many of these practical needs. However, only born-again Christians can and will present the message of eternal life and that is what the church has been commissioned to do.
   4. WE GATHER TO SHARE IN THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH: From its inception, the ordinances of the church were observed corporately and in homes (see Acts 2:41-42, 46-47). Though there were abuses that had to be addressed, the Lord’s Supper was a feature of church life (1 Cor 11:23-26 c.f. 1 Cor.11:17-22, 27-34). These functions cannot be done in private and without our brothers and sisters in Christ. The ordinances are a highlight of the church that draws attention to the death, burial, resurrection, and return of the Lord Jesus (see Mt.28:19-20; Rom.6:3-6; 1 Cor.11:24-26).
   5. WE GATHER TO SERVE AND SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER: Church attendance is never just about ME. In the New Testament, there are numerous mentions of the phrase ‘one another’. The phrase derives from the Greek word allelon. It means “one another” or “each other” and occurs numerous times calling us to love with other. The phrase provides instruction on how to act or not act towards each other. The one another statements are there to address various situations and encourage better interpersonal relations between Christians. Most of the occurrences underscore LOVE, ONENESS, SERVANTHOOD, HUMILITY, ENCOURAGEMENT, and EDIFICATION (see Jn.13:34-35; 15:12, 17; Rom.12:10, 16; 13:8; 14:13; 15:7, 14 etc). In correcting those that had ceased regularly attending, the writer points out to a broader purpose for gathering as he urges – let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works (Heb.10:24). Serving the Lord is not just for the preacher, technicians, and singers. Everyone is called to engage in ministry to others. You cannot do this regularly when you fail to join in fellowship with the saints.
   6. WE GATHER TO GIVE REGULARLY TO THE MISSION OF CHRIST: The Lord has given us a global vision to reach people from every tribe and nation (see Acts 1:8). Every local church should take part in that mission both at home and abroad. Thus Paul exhorted – 1 Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come (1 Cor.16:1-2 c.f. 2 Cor.8:1-5, 16-24). The local church is to provide for those that are called to lead the flock – 17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The labourer deserves his wages” (1 Tim.5:17-18). Each person can choose to give with this understanding – 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work (2 Cor.9:6-8). It is our privilege to give because we are able to give even as the Lord has prospered us.
   7. WE GATHER IN LARGE GROUP WORSHIP AND SMALL GROUP FELLOWSHIP: The apostle reminds the Ephesian leaders how he had regularly ministered both publicly and privately in homes over a period of three years (see Acts 20:20-21, 27, 31). As we have observed, the church mostly gathered from house to house (see Acts 2:46-47) and sometimes in larger buildings (see Acts 19:8-10; 20:7-12). The Lord has greatly blessed churches today with renowned Bible teachers. However, obedience to Christ’s Great Commission demands we break into smaller functional groups where the Bible teaching skills of the body of Christ can bless those involved in small groups (see Eph.4:11-16). The functions of the church cannot be fulfilled in Worship Services but requires the leaders to develop and equip the ‘rank and file’ members in Disciple-making groups and in the world that we have been called to impact with the gospel (see Mt.28:19-20; Acts 1:8).
      
   8. WE GATHER TO MAKE DISCIPLES TO IMPACT THE WORLD FOR CHRIST: Jesus called disciples to follow Him. He called twelve to be the apostles but also had a larger group that included women (see Lk.6:12-16; 8:1-3; 9:1-6; 10:1-12). So Jesus had more than a small group … He discipled a large group that more resembled a local church. All the evidence in the epistles, especially the closing greetings in which Paul often referred to dozens of associates, reveals the extensive discipleship style that he espoused (see 2 Tim.2:1-2). We must continually return to the instructions Jesus gave in what is known as the Great Commission (see Mt.28:19-20). Doing this will ensure that we stay on mission as Jesus commanded us to do … TO MAKE DISCIPLES! Churches have developed many ministries. Nevertheless, they must reflect the Great Commission of the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ.
   9. WE GATHER TO COMFORT AND ENCOURAGE STRUGGLING SAINTS: As stated above, the church does not exist just to meet my needs. The leaders are to build up the saints to do the ministry (see Eph.4:11-13). We gather to keep the ‘embers of our faith’ from going out. Every day we should be praying this simple prayer – ‘Lord, help me to be sensitive to the promptings of Your Holy Spirit’!

GROUP QUESTION:

1. Share with each other what key challenges you have received from this study.
2. What changes could you make to better express Christian fellowship in your local church?