Fellowship

“The assembling of ourselves together.” (Hebrews 10:25)

1. THE BIBLE INSTRUCTS US TO FELLOWSHIP:

A. The importance of fellowship:

Psalm 133:1–3   How good … for brethren to dwell together in unity

Matthew 18:19–20   Where two or three are gathered … there am I in the midst of them

Hebrews 10:25   Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together …

1 John 1:7   If we walk in the light … have fellowship one with another

  (See also Psalm 119:63; 1 John 1:3.)

B. We are one body in Jesus:

Romans 12:5   So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. (See also 1 Corinthians 12:12–28.)

C. There is strength in united fellowship:

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10   Two are better than one … if they fall, the one will lift up

Ecclesiastes 4:12   A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Acts 28:15   The brethren … came to meet us as far as Appii forum … whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage

D. It’s hard to be without fellowship:

Ecclesiastes 4:10   Woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help

2 Timothy 4:16   At my first answer no man stood with me

2. THE REASONS FOR FELLOWSHIP:

A. Edification and inspiration:

Acts 2:42   They continued stedfastly in … doctrine and fellowship

1 Corinthians 14:3–4  [Prophesying and doctrine edify the church]

1 Corinthians 14:26   When ye come together … let all things be … edifying

B. Reading the Word together:

Acts 15:30–31   Gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle

1 Timothy 4:13   Give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Hebrews 8:1–4,8   The people gathered themselves together … Ezra read

  (See also Acts 16:4; Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:27.)

C. Exhortation and instruction:

Acts 15:32   Exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them

Acts 20:7   When the disciples came together … Paul preached 

Hebrews 10:25   Assembling of ourselves together … exhorting one another

  (See also Acts 11:22–23; 15:36,41.)

D. Gathering for special prayer:

1 Timothy 4:14   The gift … which was given thee … with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

James 5:14   Call for the elders of the church; and … pray over him

E. United prayer:

Acts 1:13–15   [120 disciples gathered to pray in the upper room]

Acts 12:5,12   House … where many were gathered together praying

F. Having communion:

Acts 20:7   The disciples came together to break bread

G. Meeting to discuss important matters:

Acts 15:2,4   [Went] unto the apostles and elders about this question.

Acts 20:17–18   He called the elders of the church. And when they were come

Acts 21:17–19   All the elders were present … [Paul] declared

H. Making a point to seek fellowship:

(See also Acts 21:3–4; 27:2–3; 28:13–14.)

3. HOLDING MEETINGS:

A. Everyone can contribute something:

1 Corinthians 14:26   When ye come together … one of you hath a psalm, a  doctrine, a tongue, a revelation, an interpretation

B. Be united and orderly during fellowship meetings:

Acts 4:32   The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul

1 Corinthians 14:33,40   In all churches of the saints. Let all things be done decently and in order.

  (See also 1 Corinthians 11:17–34; 14:23–31; James 2:2–4.)

C. United singing during fellowship:

Ezra 3:11   They sang together … praising and giving thanks

Matthew 26:30   And when they had sung an hymn, they went out

Hebrews 2:12   In the midst of the church will I sing praise

D. End meetings with prayer:

Acts 20:36   When he had thus spoken, he … prayed with them all.

Acts 21:5–6   We departed … and we kneeled down … and prayed

E. Fellowshipping together constantly:

Acts 2:46   Continuing daily with one accord … from house to house

4. BEING “OF ONE MIND” AND WORKING TOGETHER IN UNITY:

1 Corinthians 1:10   No divisions among you … be perfectly joined together

1 Corinthians 12:25   Should be no schism in the body … have the same care

Philippians 2:2   Be likeminded … being of one accord, of one mind.

  (See also Galatians 2:9; 1 Peter 3:8.)

5. USING FELLOWSHIP TO WITNESS:

Matthew 9:9–13   Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? … I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

1 Corinthians 10:27,31   If any … that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go … do all to the glory of God