Acts 2:42 tells us that “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching
and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” This
comes about by God’s power for us to live, move, exist and multiply. In
addition, it builds growth, strength and effectiveness.
Fellowship is sharing in Christian community through prayer, love, admonition, encouragement and unity. Community attracts the Holy Spirit. The Bible says the Holy Spirit is present whenever believers gather together (Matthew 18:20). But if you want to be a Christ follower, be one every day in the context of all your communities.
In the early church, they devoted themselves to fellowship and it was not just fellowship but priority. Today it is just to get to know one another and build casual relationship over coffee and cakes. It falls short of the New Testament days because it has lost its meaning.
In churches, when people connect, they stay, they discover the events and activities in the church. To discover truth, they enroll in Bible classes to learn and grow in God’s word. Connections happen casually but the senior ones must be intentional in fostering the new comers. It is an area often lacking in some churches today.
True fellowship is much deeper than social activity, we must get together for spiritual purposes, for sharing needs, for prayer, for discussing and sharing the word and edifying one another.
Acts 2:42 tells us that “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” This comes about by God’s power for us to live, move, exist and multiply. In addition, it builds growth, strength and effectiveness.
a. Iron sharpens iron – mutual edification. No matter where you are in your life’s journey, you can always learn more and draw close to the Lord.
b. Joy and encouragement – what is loneliness but the echo of an unanswered cry for love? What is the wounded soul but one aching for hope? Although every Christian can offer anyone the greatest power of healing available: The heart of encouragement – self-giving, genuine love – and shows how we can eagerly, easily lift up those around us. An encouragement itself, the joy of encouragement is scriptural and uplifting, enabling you to bask in God’s love while simultaneously giving it away.
c. Service opportunities – “We are saved to serve”. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters (for an intimation of their will), and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God” (Psalm 123:2). Upon his conversion, he surrendered to the Lordship of Christ, took his yoke upon Him, to henceforth submit to His rule and be subject unto His will in all things.
d. Demonstration of reverence – we show this feeling in our words and action. Reverence is a feeling of respect and love for all that is sacred. When we are referent we draw close to the Father and Jesus.
Patience and acceptance – the apostle Paul instructed the Ephesian Christians to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3). Most of us recognize that patience is one of the cardinal Christian virtues – we’re just in no hurry to obtain it and must learn to accept regeneration as authentic patience.
Good fellowship is when as a result of that there is an interchange of encouragement.