Fellowship, Christians community of interest.
1 John 1:3, “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 was manifested unto us.”
1 Corinthians 1:9, “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Fellowship with one another,
1 John 1:7, “If we walk in the light, as He (Jesus) is in the light, we have fellowship one with another.”
When speaking of fellowship with God;
1. Knowledge of God’s will;
Job 22:21, “Acquaint now thyself with Him (God,) and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.”
John 17:3, “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou (the Father) hath sent.”
2. An agreement in design;
Amos 3:2, “You only have I known of all the families of the earth.”
3. Mutual affection;
Romans 8:38-39, “For I (Paul) am persuaded, that neither death, not life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
4. Enjoyment of God’s presence through His Holy Spirit; Ps.4:6, “LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.”
5. Conformity to his image; and participation of his joy in us;
1 John 2:6, “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as He (Jesus) walked.”
When we speak of fellowship with other Christian’s we can consider;
Our duties to our brother’s and sister’s in Christ; and a proper use of Holy Spirit gifts.
Romans 12:6, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, “Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
James 5:16, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
2. Ordinances; Hebrews 10:24, “Let us consider one another to (provoke (stir up) unto love and to good works.”
Acts 2:46, “And they (the apostles,) continuing daily with one accord in the temple.”
3. Showing our graces, love, joy;
Malachi 3:16, “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His name.”
2 Corinthians 8:4, “Pray us with much entreaty (urgency) that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.”
4. Our interest, both spiritual and temporal.
Romans 12:4-13, “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office (function: — Distributing to the necessity (needs) of saints; given to hospitality.”
Hebrews 13:16, “But to do good, and to communicate (share) forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
5. Of sacrifice, and if need be, to suffer for them.
Romans 15:1-2, “When then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification.”
Galatians 6:1-2, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Romans 12:15, “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.”
6. And to encourage, reminding each other of our eternal destination, and glory with Christ.
John 16:33, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I (Jesus) have overcome the world.”
Phillip LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com