FELLOWSHIP

The conversion of the world to Christ depends upon oneness of mind and joint-participation of His disciples (John 17:20-23). Ignorance results in division
among His followers and consequently a failure to carry
the gospel to the lost world.
The Greek word for fellowship is “koinonia,” and is translated in our English Bibles as fellowship, communion, contribution and distribution. It means sharing, participating in the bond together of all who have had their “bodies washed with pure water” by baptism and have become
members of the body (or church) of Christ (Hebrews 10:22; Acts 2:38;
I Cor 12:13). All faithful members give one another “the right hand
of fellowship” (Gal 2:9).
Christian fellowship and Church fellowship are different in our modern world, but they were the same in the Bible. All Christians were members of the same church. God “added” all disciples into one body (Acts 2:47; Eph 4:4-5). They all were members of the same body and Christ was “head.” One body, one head
(Col 1:18). There were no Christians outside this one body. All have fellowship with one another as we “walk in the light and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness”
(I Jn 1:7). The “test of fellowship” is when we all “agree with one another” and there are “no divisions among” us (I Cor 1:10).

(#283)