Today, we often view fellowship as what we do in “fellowship hall.” The place where we have casual conversations and savor coffee and donuts. This is not all bad and can contribute to the enjoyment of a experiential sort of fellowship, but it falls far short of the meaning of His true fellowship; according to actual biblical standards that is. His true fellowship is made clear by the essence of the meaning of fellowship in the Greek words meaning for fellowship; the language God used to describe His thoughts and intentions for our benefit. Because the Greek more clearly shows the true intent of His Words; so that we may know what we have become.
You might say well my take on fellowship is more along the lines of sharing in prayer, a common devotion; extending fellowship, a kinship if you will, to those of a like faith, all who are Christian. Not so bad. But wait there is more, much more!
In the Greek Koinwnos, or koinwnia [fellowship] means “a partner, associate, companion” (2 Cor. 8:23; Luke 5:10; Phil. 1:7) or “a partaker, sharer” (1 Cor. 10:18-20; 2 Cor. 1:7; 1 Pet. 5:1; 2 Pet. 1: This still might sound familiar or agreeable to many as their fellowship intent.
Yet the Apostles would never recognize what has become of the notion of fellowship in these modern times: According to Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary fellowship means: (a) companionship, company, associate; (b) the community of interest, activity, feeling or experience, i.e., a unified body of people of equal rank sharing in common interests, goals, and characteristics, etc. All English words defining thoughts applied to the modern mind which really centers on the self. In other words they are inward thoughts and reflect back upon the experience of the self. Which falls short of God's intention for His true fellowship.
Fellowships true meaning in a biblical doctrinal [teaching] sense, has far more depth in the Greek language. Its the sharing together in a common life with other believers yes. But only in the sense of in a relationship with God, through Jesus Christ. We might say yes I can see that. But do Christians have a true biblical understanding based upon biblical doctrine [teaching] of what through Christ actually means? Paul said: "I count all things as loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord" Phil. 3:8.
It cannot be merely our colloquial association as is most prevalent today. Nor even our common salvation. Fellowship is first and foremost under its biblical structure a inclusive Christ relationship, of like mind, rather than an activity or communality. But like mind with who? Not our idea of fellowship; that will never do, as we will always fail of ourselves. "For it is God Himself whose power creates within you the desire to do His will and also brings about the accomplishment of the desire" Phil 2:3. Then fellowship must be with God Himself, as defined by Him! For that we must have knowledge of His thoughts. The principle is that any activity that follows, should come out of the interpersonal one with Christ relationship mandated by God. Or His thoughts of us; we being found within His Son. We can know His thoughts only in the exercise of faith, by taking to heart His Words that describe our spiritually reality! "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection" phil. 3:10
Therefore we can see the Holy Spirits teaching of godly fellowship in the bible was meant to not only include common life issues, which by the way includes suffering and persecution. Which in former times and still today in many parts of the world comes with a belief in Jesus as God. But most importantly and more deeply the Greek connotes our interrelations and commonalty we share in thoughts of our personal identification; emanating from our own individual spiritual biblical God directed understanding of our very person hood as a Christian. Or His thoughts of us as seen in Christ Himself.
So then the depth of our personal understanding of our position, His thought of being "Hid in Christ", as identity is key. This is where the weakness lies in today's church, as most never venture beyond the comfort of salvation, awaiting the vague promise of heaven. Encouraging us to be comfortable in the experiential satisfaction of the local churches representation and efforts in their stead, as they partake together in a socialization process. Mostly discussing in so called fellowship worldly mutual interests and perhaps some religious issues or service needs. Few seek a honest maturity of mind and fewer still ever bother to risk acknowledging the change that comes with the mentally shedding of their old nature in their minds personification.Thus allowing for God's new creation life, secured only by a responsible active studious faith. Our faith being the only possible way to please God. Shedding light upon the way He views us exclusively in the person of His Son.
In the New Testament, what is shared in common is shared first of all because of a common relationship of identification that we all have together within Christ. Koinwnia [fellowship] was an important word to both John and Paul, but it was never used in merely a sense of the gathering together of like minded folk. It always had a deep personal spiritual significance and base. The idea of an earthly fellowship founded upon common interests, human nature, physical ties like in a family, or from a church affiliation was really rather foreign to the apostles.
Most paramount in the early Greek language minded non-carnal [mature] saints was the extension of the believers fellowship with the living God in their communion and presence with Him spiritually. So today if we are to partake with one and another in true fellowship we must have a clarity, a apprehension of just what we have become in the new creation in the mind of God. That is our sanctification [separation] in Christ's heavenly representation of us personally. The only life we have before Him. Without this truth as a defining reality of our spiritual existence in fellowship we are merely clanging symbols.
"Fellowship is, in its very highest expression, having one common object with the father, and taking part in the same portion; and that object, that portion is the Lord Jesus Christ". I'm sure most Christians would agree with that statement. But never the less few carry the internal concept of a heavenly presence in Glory with the Father by faith; one of their being's as heavenly, here and now upon the earth. Of course this thought of ourselves is only available by faith. But that is how God sees us, made clear in His Word! "Your life is hidden with Christ in God" Col. 3:3. A truth which is denied to us by todays churches by its constant teaching/diversion of our need to form mans betterment.The conduct of what is really become a social gospel. A good Christian like goal, but it misses the mark by a far margin.
C. H. Mackintosh summed this spiritual biblical truth up nicely when he said: "As regards our fellowship with one and another, it is simply as we walk in the light, as we read, "If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleans us from all sin" 1 John 1:7. We can have fellowship with one and another as we walk in the immediate presence of our Father. There may be a vast amount of mere interpersonal relationship without one particle of divine fellowship".
