The Bible knows nothing of solitary religion – John Wesley
Today, a common misunderstanding of the biblical concept of ‘fellowship’ prevails, and its repercussions for God’s people are severe. This is not just a matter of concern but a critical issue that urgently needs to be addressed. As per God’s word, fellowship with Him and His people is not just an option but A NECESSITY FOR THE CHRISTIAN LIFE! As John shows us, the reason the apostles proclaimed the message of Jesus and wrote the Bible was to bring people into fellowship with God and His people.
- 1 John 1:3-7 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. (4) These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete…(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.
Unfortunately, when many people hear the word “fellowship,” they immediately associate it with surface-type Christian gatherings that lack depth or meaningful interaction. In this shallow connection among participants, there is little interaction with God, along with optional light socializing for those who may be interested. However, the Biblical concept of ‘fellowship’ should not be underestimated. It is not just a connection but a profound and spiritually significant reality that we must strive to understand and embrace.
The Biblical term ‘fellowship’ is not a passive or lighthearted idea. The Greek word (Koinonia) is defined as “joint participation, intercourse, partnership, participation, and communion” (Thayer’s Greek Definitions). Fellowship is not just a belief but a call to action. It is an active involvement in the relational life with Jesus and His body, and our participation is not just important but crucial.
John, the last New Testament writer and the last apostle alive who walked with Jesus, wrote extensively about how our actual relationship with God and His people is essential and interconnected. Why did he write so much about these things? He was addressing Greek philosophies that were infiltrating and being embraced by God’s people, causing them to drift away from Jesus and His design in building His church.
These philosophies promoted ideas leading to dualism: “what I believe and how I live are disconnected.” These Greek philosophies (later referred to under the title “Gnosticism”) emphasized spiritual knowledge (gnosis) as the most critical aspect, regardless of one’s actual lifestyle. They believed human beings were composed of a material body and an immaterial mind (body/soul). If their mind believed correctly, they were okay, regardless of how they were actively living their lives.
This type of dualism is a destructive idea that God’s people have faced for centuries. I call it Mental Assent Christianity. It is a superficial or intellectual agreement with Christian truths (I believe in Jesus) with little impact on one’s actual life. This is disastrous to our spiritual life and our witness to the world around us. I call this “believism” or “sub-demon faith” that James writes about.
- James 2:14-20 ERV… if a person claims to have faith but does nothing, that faith is worth nothing…(19) You believe there is one God. That’s good, but even the demons believe that! And they shake with fear. (20) You fool! Faith that does nothing is worth nothing.
We are called to more than simply an intellectual belief about Jesus; we are called to an actual way of life, walking with Him and His people. THIS IS CRITICAL TO OUR LIFE, SPIRITUAL HEALTH IN HIM, AND OUR WITNESS TO THE WORLD!!!
Authentic Biblical Fellowship/Koinonia is the way Jesus builds
Jesus clearly declared, “I will build My church” (Matthew 16:18). Real fellowship (Koinonia) with God and His people is the active building process described by Paul and Peter using phrases such as “built on, built/fitted together, built up, and growing.”
- Eph 2:14-22…(19) So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, (20) having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, (21) in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, (22) in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
- 1Pe 2:2-9 so that you will grow in respect to salvation…you also, as living stones, being built up as a spiritual house.
This was how Jesus began to build the first expression of His church in Jerusalem. The members were devoted to fellowship (a real relationship with God and each other).
- Act 2:41-42 ….They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Characteristics of “Religious Fellowship” and How to Move Beyond It into Reality
- Shallow Interactions: Discussions only revolve around general topics like sports, weather, or casual updates without delving into personal struggles, spiritual growth, or deeper issues of faith.
- Limited Spiritual Focus or Connection: While the gathering might occur in a church building or among believers, there may be little to no emphasis on prayer, worship, or discussions about God’s word or what He may be doing in their lives.
- Lack of Vulnerability: People might hesitate to share their true feelings, struggles, or spiritual challenges, leading to interactions that stay on a safe, superficial level.
- Event-Centered: The gathering is often centered around an activity or event (like a potluck, picnic, or game night) rather than on building deeper relationships or spiritual growth.
Five ways to move beyond Surface-Type Fellowship and into God’s design.
1. Hunger for and take steps to move beyond surface-level interactions: As we realize God’s design, we take steps to move beyond surface-level interactions and onto personal experiences and what God is doing in them.
2. Incorporate Prayer (communication with God), God’s word, and Spiritual gifts into our interactions: As you interact with each other, also interact with God and Holy Spirit. Pause and pray about things that come up. Share insights and Spiritual gifts God may be highlighting. Realize God is among us and give attention to Him in our interactions, “wherever two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). Take pauses to pray, give thanks, and hear from God, etc. (1 Thessalonians 5:8).
3. Encourage Vulnerability: Create a safe space where people feel comfortable sharing their struggles, doubts, and joys in their walk with God. When people do, encourage and thank them for doing it.
4. Practice Hebrews 3 and 10 relationships: These passages are at the heart of the design for our fellowship together. We are to help each other to hear God’s voice, continue to respond to Him, and not fall away. We are also to stimulate each other to love and good works as we gather together.
- Hebrews 3:6-16 but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end. (7) Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS….Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. (13) But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called today, lest you be hardened by sin…
- Hebrews 10:21-25 … (24) and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, (25) 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.
5. Practice the 59 “one another’s” as we relate together: There are 59 direct “one another” commands for our life together, some of which we can incorporate in every interaction (download them here).
Restoration of God’s design for fellowship with Him and with one another is an essential part of His building process and our witness to the world. Let us not settle for anything less; instead, let us actively pursue and embrace His intended design.
1 Corinthians 1:9-10 God is faithful, by whom you were called to the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord…(10) I urge you, brothers…that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.