"They Devoted Themselves To...The Fellowship"

What are the most important ingredients for Christian growth? Most of us would be quick to identify Scripture reading and prayer; perhaps we’d include listening to preaching and Christian service too. But sometimes we forget the obvious one – spending time with other Christians.

Many who come to faith as adults understand this the best. Once they get a little taste of the dynamics of Christian community, they want to be there as often as possible. It’s refreshing, encouraging, and uplifting! It’s like nothing else they’ve experienced before. It’s a closer bond than even their flesh-and-blood family.

After Jesus ascended into heaven, His disciples stayed together in Jerusalem. The Bible says, “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers” (Acts 1:14). The reason for this solidarity was partly practical. They knew they were different, out of step with the Jewish leaders. They were also waiting for the promised Holy Spirit to descend. But would their focus on unity and companionship continue?

When Peter finished his sermon on the Day of Pentecost, many repented and were added to the church. Immediately after the new church was born, Acts 2:42 reads, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Interestingly, this short verse covers the key “ordinary means of grace” discussed in this series. They continued in “the apostles’ doctrine.” That’s the teaching and preaching of the Word of God. They continued in “the breaking of bread.” That’s communion, likely combined with a larger community meal. And they continued in “prayers.” We find later that they were involved in many prayers, both public and private (Acts 2:46-47; 3:1; 4:23-31).

But they also “devoted themselves to…the fellowship,” as the ESV puts it. This is the Greek word koinonia, sometimes rendered “partnership” or “sharing.” At times, it refers to partnership in ministry, either through giving (Philippians 1:5) or some other kind of service (Galatians 2:9). Here in Acts, the word focuses on sharing – sharing time, sharing encouragement, and even sharing materially with those in need. One commentator writes, “It may be best, therefore, to give koinonia its widest interpretation in 2:42, including within its scope contributions, table fellowship, and the general friendship and unity which characterized the community.”[1]

In other words, the Jerusalem church spent time together. They ate together. They rejoiced and wept together. They served together. And when someone was in need, they came together to meet that need.

We often remind each other of the verse in Hebrews 10:25, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some…” Some leaders employ this as a cudgel, using guilt to motivate people to attend church.

The truth is, Christian fellowship is good for us, and when prioritized, it is a delight. God created us and knows that we need community. So, we’re warned against isolation (Proverbs 18:1) and commanded to gather frequently (Hebrews 10:24-25).

When we take part in this ordinary means of grace, we grow in Christian maturity, have more opportunities to use our spiritual gifts, and reap the benefits of being part of God’s family. The Apostle John wrote his first epistle to declare Jesus to his recipients, “that you also may have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3). Our fellowship (koinonia) with other Christians brings us into fuller and greater fellowship with our Father and His Son. May we take advantage of this “means of grace” every chance we get!

__________
  [1] David G. Peterson, The Acts of the Apostles, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009), 161.