Bible Fellowship Biblical fellowship is a much needed and misunderstood subject. Hence, the reason for our study.

Bible Fellowship A fact and reality: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2: 42).

Bible Fellowship There are basically six Greek words (some of which are cognates) which are translated fellowship or its equivalent in the Greek New Testament. Three are nouns, two are verbs, and one is an adjective (nouns: koinonia, metoche, koinonos; verbs: koinoneo, sunkoinoneo, and one adjective: metochos). Koinonia (one of the three nouns) is found 20 times. It is translated, "fellowship" (Acts 2: 42), "contribution" (Rom. 15: 26), "communion" (I Cor. 10: 16), "distribution" (2 Cor. 9: 13), "communication" (Phile. 6), and "communicate" (Heb. 13: 16). Koinonos (second main noun, used ten times) is translated "fellowship" (I Cor. 10: 20), "partakers" (Matt. 23: 30), "partners" (Lk. 5: 10), and "companions".           Fellowship in New Testament concept and terminology, when used in a spiritual climate, is communion or sharing in spiritual matters. For instance, there is fellowship in the gospel (Phili. 1: 5), fellowshipping needy saints (2 Cor. 8: 4), fellowshipping God (I Jn. 1: 3), and fellowshipping Christians (Gal. 2: 9, I Jn. 1: 3, 7). Take some time and familiarize yourself with these basic Greek words and their use in scripture.

Two important verses: 2 John 9-11; Eph. 5: 10, 11. Bible Fellowship Two important verses: 2 John 9-11; Eph. 5: 10, 11. Carefully share with the audience the teaching of these verses and stress their consistent application.

Fellowship in the assembled church: Lord’s Supper(Acts 20:7). Bible Fellowship Fellowship in the assembled church: Lord’s Supper(Acts 20:7). Slide five begins to show how and where fellowship is experienced regarding the “assembled church.”

Fellowship in the assembled church: Prayer (Acts 4: 31). Bible Fellowship Fellowship in the assembled church: Prayer (Acts 4: 31).

Fellowship in the assembled church: Giving (I Cor. 16: 1, 2). Bible Fellowship Fellowship in the assembled church: Giving (I Cor. 16: 1, 2).

Fellowship in the assembled church: Preaching (2 Tim. 4). Bible Fellowship Fellowship in the assembled church: Preaching (2 Tim. 4).

Fellowship in the assembled church: Singing (Eph. 5: 19). Bible Fellowship Fellowship in the assembled church: Singing (Eph. 5: 19).

Bible Fellowship Foreign fellowship: Slide ten considers false fellowship as embraced and taught by man. Picture number five contains “Fellowship” being applied as a designation of “the church.” Hence, further abuse of the term and idea.

Bible Fellowship “Problems at  the … church: Every congregation I know in … has a constant influx of Christians from different parts of the world with vastly different backgrounds. Our policy at … has been to avoid partyism and accept all baptized believers, knowing that many have unconventional ideas.  Our hope is that good teaching will correct whatever is lacking. However, the danger always exists that some with unorthodox concepts may not receive Bible teaching and instead may begin to exert their influence on others with their questionable ideas. This has happened at …. Our problems revolve around three brethren influenced by the Pentecostal Movement.  One is particularly friendly and has therefore been able to influence about ten of the new and weak Christians.  I woke up to that fact when they almost succeeded (when some of us were distracted) in having one of our new converts give her "testimony" in front of the congregation about a sore knee that she felt was healed…..” Slide eleven contains an actual progress report from a very well known preacher in non-institutional churches of Christ. The report is indicative of the abuse among “us” regarding fellowship. (Notice the unity-in-diversity mentality mentality.)

Bible Fellowship “3: That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ…. 7: But 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 cleanseth us from all sin” (I John 1). Slide twelve considers the fact that fellowship, whether with God or between individuals, is contingent upon walking in the light.