The Fellowship of Saints Christian Fellowship 1

Acts 2:42 [42] And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 2

The Greek word which is translated “fellowship” is also translated as: Contribution (Rom. 15:26) Communion (1 Cor. 10:16) Communicated (Gal. 6:6) 3

The word means a sharing in common, holding a mutual interest, mutual activity, a partnership with each other, participating together 4

Must become a Christian One added to the Lord’s church (Acts 2:47) One baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:1-7) Has been translated into the kingdom (church ) (Col. 1:13) A child of God (Gal. 3:26-29) 5

Must remain a faithful Christian Rev. 2:10 1 Jn. 1:7 [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. 6

2 Jn. 6 6] And this is love, that we walk after his commandments 7

3 Jn. 3 [3] For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the 8

In Christ all the selfish, secular, artificial distinctions generally prevailing in the world among people are removed in our spiritual fellowship and brotherhood together (Gal. 3:28). 9

No fellowship with: Works of darkness (Eph. 5:11) Unbelievers (2 Cor. 6:14) False teachers (2 Jn. 9-11) Those who create division by false teaching (Rom. 16:17) Those who walk disorderly (2 Thess. 3:6) The immoral (1 Cor. 5:9-13) 10

In what are Christians to have fellowship? 11

Ps. 133:1 [1] Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 12

1. We are to have fellowship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as well as with one another This bond of fellowship between Christians is also the bond that binds us together with God 13

1 Jn. 1:1-3 [1] That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; [2] (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 14

[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. 15

1 Jn. 1:7 [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. 16

2. We have fellowship in worship 1 Cor. 10:16-17 [16] The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? [17] For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread 17

The Lord’s Supper is one of the five acts of worship It is easy to see how we have a mutual interest in this act of worship as we participate together The same is true with the other acts of worship – singing – praying – giving – and studying the Word of God 18

3. We have fellowship in working for the Lord Mt. 20:1 [1] For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard 19

1 Cor. 3:9 [9] For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building 20

1 Cor. 3:6 [6] I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase 21

4. We have fellowship in faith We even share in our spiritual thoughts and convictions 1 Cor. 1:10 [10] Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment 22

Phil. 1:27 [27] Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel 23

We allow differences in the matters of opinion but stand as one in those things spoken by Christ 24

5. We have fellowship in caring, bearing and sharing 1 Cor. 12:26 [26] And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it 25

Gal. 6:2 [2] Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ 26

Rom. 12:15 [15] Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep 27

6. We have fellowship in salvation Jude 3 speaks of the “common salvation” We have a mutual salvation in the same hope, based on the same Savior Having been cleansed by the blood of Christ we are now included among God’s people – received by God and all the saved 28

7. We have fellowship in association We visit on a regular basis – we often have contact in our daily lives – our paths cross from time to time and we are always glad to be in the company of faithful brethren Mal. 3:16 [16] Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another… 29

‘One of the great strengthening and encouraging by-products of being in the assemblies together for worship is the opportunity to see, greet, talk, with those of like faith and Christian conviction.” 30

Conclusion Gen. 13:8 [8] And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren “FOR WE BE BRETHREN” 31

(ref. – aburningfire.net) 32