Read:
Reflect:
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Acts 2:42)
The second thing the early believers devoted themselves to was fellowship. But what is
meant by fellowship? In what way was their gathering together unique, and noticeably different from other assemblies of people? Perhaps a reflection on the passages from Acts 2 and 1 John 1 will help us see the special nature of their fellowship.
One of the initial expressions of fellowship was a spontaneous outpouring of generosity. According to Acts 2:43-47 the new believers regularly worshipped together in the temple and shared meals with one another; but most striking of all, they had all things in common (v 44), selling their possessions and distributing the proceeds to those in need. They didn’t consider the things belonging to them as their own, but as available for general benefit (Acts 4:32). This generosity had a tremendous evangelistic effect and many joined the Christian community as a result (Acts 2:47; 4:33). The sharing of all things was subject to abuse (see Acts 5:1-11), and did not continue as a requirement in the churches. It was an initial joyous expression of love for one another, rather than a prescription for all future practice. Later in his letters Paul urged believers to give liberally according to their means (1 Corinthians 9:1-15). However, the key point of this early behavior must not be lost; the fellowship of the first Christians was marked by an unsurpassed generosity. Genuine Christian fellowship is always marked by self-sacrificing generosity which takes many forms, not just mutual financial care.
Loving and caring for one another with cheerful generosity is an important aspect of Christian fellowship, but it is not the center. The heart of authentic fellowship is the triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit himself. John puts it this way:
…so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:3)
True fellowship is not simply socializing, though elements of it are involved, but must always include our Lord in it. Our interactions with one another are significant, but genuine fellowship circulates around Christ: he is the center. So whenever Christians meet together there needs to be a sense of God’s presence as the most important “third “ member in the relationship. For fellowship to happen our conversations, our sharing of how we experience the Lord, our encouraging one another, even confessing our sins and failures to one another (James 5:16), and praying for each other, must all center around our acknowledgment of Christ’s presence. John reminds us that:
…if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)
It is only as we experience Jesus by walking in his light that we can have genuine fellowship with one another. Without the recognized presence of our God we can have good social times together, friendly relationships and camaraderie, but that is not the full meaning of fellowship in the Christian sense. Authentic fellowship integrates our mutual relationships fully around our central shared relationship with the living God who is present by his Spirit.
Respond:
So let us seek ways to emulate the generous hospitality that the first believers displayed after
Pentecost. Let us also make deliberate efforts to be consciously aware that the Lord is present in our gathering together and shares fully in fellowship with us through the Spirit.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)