"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching
and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (Acts 2:42 NIV)
One of the pairs of verses from the "Seeds of Maturity" list is Acts 2:42 and Heb. 10:24-25. Since we have been discussing the concept of fellowship, bringing these two verses up now seems appropriate. Why don't you use the memory process on both these verses now. Then come back and let's discuss them, along with the other verses used for "koinonia."
The NIV translation of Acts 2:42 is listed above. Once you start memorizing, you should stick with the same version. You can always consult other versions, to get a different perspective, but the verse will stick better if you learn it in a single translation. Similarly, when you select a study Bible, I suggest you get a quality, bound version, and always use the same one when conducting your studies. The reason is you will become so accustomed to certain familiar passages, that you will be able to visualize them. You will see them on the left or right-hand side of the page, and you will know where certain verses are. I have also made notes in my Bible, and made "chain" references, so if I can remember one key verse for a theological topic, then the arrow up will be toward a reference that comes before this reference, and an arrow down will be to another reference that comes after. I have used this when talking with someone about an important Bible theme or theological issue, letting my Bible guide me forward or back to the key references, since I cannot always remember every key verse on every major theme.
Heb. 10:24-25 says, "and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." Acts 2:42 and Heb. 10:24-25 reveal some important themes about "fellowship." In Acts 2, Christ fulfilled His promise to send the "Helper," the Holy Spirit, who indwelt all the believers in a new and powerful way, spiritually uniting them as the "Body of Christ." Because of this, they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to "fellowship," and to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Fellowship, in this context, refers to the sharing that was taking place, both of the expression of their new spiritual gifts, the sharing of the hospitality of the houses of the people who lived in Jerusalem with the many visitors for the feast of Pentecost, and the sharing of even their material possessions, or the proceeds of the sale of those possessions, in order to meet the needs of any visitors who had not planned to stay so long, but who wanted to continue receiving teaching from Peter and the other disciples.
The Prerequisites for Fellowship
Since the time of Pentecost, those who have put their faith in Christ share a common fellowship. True fellowship in Christ has some prerequisites.
A Common Gospel - 1 Jn. 11:3
What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— 2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us— 3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
A Common Calling - 1 Cor. 1:9
God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
A Common faith - Philemon 6
"and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake."
A Common Spirit - Phil. 2:1-2
Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
A Common Path in the Light - 1 John 1:6-7
"If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."
A Common Future - 1 Thess. 4:14-18
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
The Prohibitions to Fellowship
Avoid Darkness
"If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;" We see from the context that this does not mean that Christians will never sin. In fact, 1 John 1:9 exhorts believers to confess their sins so that they may restore fellowship with God and one another. The point of 1 John 1:6 is if a person lives continually in manner that embraces false doctrine, worldliness, immorality, or allegiance to spirits that are opposed to the Son of God, then they will not have fellowship with the Son or His followers.
Avoid False teachers
" If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; 11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds." As discussed previously, this passage talks about not extending the fellowship of the church, which, at the time of the writing, met in people's houses, to false teachers. A "greeting" was likely far more than merely saying "hello," but was an expression of welcome or approval, in a sense, having the leaders of the church tacitly approve of the teachings of the false teacher.
Avoid Binding Agreements with Non-Believers
"Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?" A "bound" situation could be anything from a marriage to a business partnership, or an alliance between a church and a non-believing organization or individual.
The Practice of Fellowship
Partakers in communion (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 10:16)
Partners in giving (Rom. 12:13; 15:26-27; 2 Cor. 8:4; 9: 1; Gal. 6:6; Phil. 1: 5; 4:15; Heb. 13:16
Partners in the work of ministry (Matt. 23:30; Luke 5:10; 1 cor. 10:18; 2 Cor. 8:23; Phile. 17;
Gal. 2:9
Partakers in suffering (1 pet. 4:13; Phil. 3:10; 2 Cor. 1:7; Heb. 10:33
The Prerequisites for Fellowship
Since the time of Pentecost, those who have put their faith in Christ share a common fellowship. True fellowship in Christ has some prerequisites.
A Common Gospel - 1 Jn. 11:3
What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— 2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us— 3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
A Common Calling - 1 Cor. 1:9
God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
A Common faith - Philemon 6
"and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake."
A Common Spirit - Phil. 2:1-2
Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
A Common Path in the Light - 1 John 1:6-7
"If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."
A Common Future - 1 Thess. 4:14-18
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
The Prohibitions to Fellowship
Avoid Darkness
"If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;" We see from the context that this does not mean that Christians will never sin. In fact, 1 John 1:9 exhorts believers to confess their sins so that they may restore fellowship with God and one another. The point of 1 John 1:6 is if a person lives continually in manner that embraces false doctrine, worldliness, immorality, or allegiance to spirits that are opposed to the Son of God, then they will not have fellowship with the Son or His followers.
Avoid False teachers
" If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; 11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds." As discussed previously, this passage talks about not extending the fellowship of the church, which, at the time of the writing, met in people's houses, to false teachers. A "greeting" was likely far more than merely saying "hello," but was an expression of welcome or approval, in a sense, having the leaders of the church tacitly approve of the teachings of the false teacher.
Avoid Binding Agreements with Non-Believers
"Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?" A "bound" situation could be anything from a marriage to a business partnership, or an alliance between a church and a non-believing organization or individual.
The Practice of Fellowship
Partakers in communion (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 10:16)
Partners in giving (Rom. 12:13; 15:26-27; 2 Cor. 8:4; 9: 1; Gal. 6:6; Phil. 1: 5; 4:15; Heb. 13:16
Partners in the work of ministry (Matt. 23:30; Luke 5:10; 1 cor. 10:18; 2 Cor. 8:23; Phile. 17;
Gal. 2:9
Partakers in suffering (1 pet. 4:13; Phil. 3:10; 2 Cor. 1:7; Heb. 10:33
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