Fellowship Fellowship, and its kindred words, primarily translated from three Greek words, Koinonia, Koinonos, Metoche. Defined by such words as: “communion,” “partakers,” “partnership,” “association,” “joint participation.” This subject is extremely important! Yet it is a topic concerning which there is much confusion and misunderstanding. Title: Fellowship – Its Positive and Negative Aspects

The Positive Aspects of Fellowship – The Worship of God God wants to be worshipped, John 4:23,24. God wants to be worshipped “in spirit and in truth,” John 4:24. Regarding Worship, there are some things we must do “together” – in partnership with one another, Hebrews 10:23-25; Acts 2:42. The Lord’s Supper, Acts 20:7; I Cor. 11:26,33. Congregational Singing, Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16. Involves joint participation, partnership, association, together activity, fellowship!

The Positive Aspects of Fellowship – Fellowship in Evangelism! The Church is “the pillar and ground of the truth,” I Timothy 3:15. The church at Philippi had “fellowship” with Paul in the gospel, Philippians 1:5; 4:15-17. The ability of the church collectively to support the preaching of the gospel involves joint participation of each of the members, I Corinthians 16:1,2. Occasions where individuals supported the preaching of the gospel, Acts 16:15; Galatians 6:6.

The Positive Aspects of Fellowship – Fellowship in Benevolence! Romans 15:25-27: “But now I go unto Jerusa-lem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution (koinonia) for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.”

Fellowship in Benevolence, Con’t 2 Corinthians 8:1-4: “Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves. Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.” 2 Corinthians 9:12-14 – “liberal distribution,” or “sharing with,” NKJV, from koinonia.

The Positive Aspects of Fellowship -- Fellowship in Suffering! Philippians 3:10: “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death.” I Peter 4:12-14: “ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings,” v. 13. Hebrews 10:32-34. “Ye became companions of them that were so used.” (“stood side by side with,” NIV).

Negatively: Have “No fellowship with the Unfruitful works of Darkness Ephesians 5:11: “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Note vs. 3-7. 2 Corinthians 6:14,15; 7:1; I John 1:5,6. Note the church in Corinth: The situation, I Corinthians 5:1. The Solution, I Corinthians 5:5,11 Fact: Must be Longsuffering, I Thessalonians 5:14 but, in the absence of repentance, suitable action must be taken!

Negatively – Have No Fellowship with Unfaithfulness! Revelation 2:10: “…be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Some became unfaithful! Hebrews 2:1-3; 3:12; 5:12; 10:25. What if members persist in unfaithfulness? Take the action commanded, 2 Thessalonians 3:6,14. “No company with” means “no fellowship with!”

Observations: When someone “quits the church” that person has already ceased his own “joint participation.” In a sense that person has already “withdrawn fellowship” from the faithful! If he refuses to repent, the faithful must take such action whereby they acknowledge the condition he has brought upon himself. 2 Thessalonians 3:6. Note: The Bible does not say “withdraw fellowship;” it says “withdraw yourselves,” 2 Thessalonians 3:6. Note also vs. 14,15.

Conclusion: We Must be aware of both sides of “the fellowship coin.” Vertical fellowship with God also involves horizontal fellowship with others who are in fellowship with God, I John 1:3 This is what the gospel is all about, I Cor. 1:9. True fellowship enables us to enjoy all spiritual blessings, live in hope, and die in peace!