"And they were
continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship,
to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Acts 2.42
Fellowship is a word we use frequently in our church. We have a pot luck
dinner and call it a fellowship. We invite Christian friends over to our homes
for fellowship. We talk to one another after church and say we are
fellowshipping. But what did the New Testament church see as fellowship. This
week we are looking at the word, Koinonia.
Koinonia is one of those Greek words like Agape and Maranatha
have found their way into the modern Christian vocabulary. The word literally
means an association based on something held in common. It implies the sharing
of something with everyone else. For instance, a group of teachers meeting
weekly to discuss teaching methods would be a Koinonia.
When used of the Christian sharing, though, it takes on a deeper significance.
Thayer describes it as "the intimate bond of fellowship with unites
Christians...which fellowship, according to John's teaching [I John 1.3,7]
consists in the fact that Christians are partakers in common of the same mind
as God and Christ, and of the blessings arising therefrom."
What an awesome thought! We not only share a common bond with our brothers and
sisters in Christ, but we also share that same bond with the very Lord of the
Universe. When I am sharing with my brother or sister down here and I feel
that inexplicable spiritual connection with that person, I and my friend, have
entered into the very presence of God. Our sharing becomes something more than
simply enjoying a conversation with a friend. It becomes an act of worship.
This is why a Christian may have friendly relations with people in the world,
but that ultimate bond of friendship can only be found with another Christian.
Just as that third tone can only be heard when two compatible notes resonate
in perfect harmony, Koinonia can only occur between two hearts
resonating in perfect harmony with that glorious heavenly melody of love.