I John 1:1-4
The fullest description in the Bible of fellowship is found in I John 1:1-4. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched – this we proclaim concerning the Word of Life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have FELLOWSHIP with us. And our FELLOWSHIP is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.”
The purpose of this article is to clarify and provide some detail about what genuine Biblical fellowship is and is not.
Example The pastor announces, “After the service, we will gather for fellowship.” The congregation mills about in a room crowded with refreshment tables and children running around, the boys scarfing up as many brownies as possible without their parents seeing them. People find a close friend and talk about how their favorite team is doing, what they did yesterday, how bad the government is, or a recent family event. Is this “fellowship?” No. Such an after-church meeting may build friendships which can result in genuine fellowship, but what is described above is far from the Biblical koinonia (the Greek word for fellowship).
Definition “Fellowship
is believers talking together about what they have experienced from God and what He is doing in their lives for the purpose of becoming complete and mature in Christ.” This definition arises from I John 1:1-4.
Personal Experience The underlined words above emphasize personal experience with the Subject, Jesus Christ. Nine times, John said his sensory capacities (sight, hearing, touch) were the basis for this on-going relationship; he enjoyed personal experience with “the life,” meaning Jesus Christ. So the first characteristic of genuine Bible fellowship is real, personal, sensory experience. Since the Lord Jesus Christ left this earth over 2000 years ago, we do not get to “touch Him,” or “see Him.” But we do experience Him as we recognize His fingerprints and footprints in daily events and as He shines through our circum-stances and other believers. We also experience Him through Him leading us, providing for us, and loving us. Ask any solid, long-time soldier for examples.
Notice the italicized words above. The four italicized words show that fellowship involves speaking – I apply this to mean sharing with others what one has experienced from God’s hand.
God has given us a front row seat to watch Him work, both within ourselves and in others. The transparency of God’s people as they share their victories and defeats is an enormous stimulant for growth. As we are honest about our needs, f
ears, concerns, failures, opportunities, and blessings, God flows through such chemistry into the souls of listeners. Pride and self-protectiveness keep us from the transparency that generates genuine fellowship. Genuine fellowship requires that the speaking focuses on God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
What Fellowship is Not Some people think fishing is fellowship. No. Others say playing church softball is fellowship. No. Playing softball with teammates or fishing with a friend may create the relationships that lead later to fellowship, but fellowship is not two fellows in one ship. Nor 10 men on the same team. “Our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.” Fellowship is about what God is doing in our lives.
Talk & Listen to Grow The Apostle John was very positive about what he had seen, heard and touched. And he wanted to share it to “make his joy complete.” Fellowship – gaining perspective from seasoned soldiers of the cross – learning from others and sharing answers to prayer – giving and receiving counsel — this is talking for the purpose of growing spiritually.
To Grow, Trust While we would not be comfortable sharing private matters with many we know, still good mental-emotional-spiritual hygiene mean there are some Christians with whom we can be transparent.
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