Fellowship

"The assembling of ourselves together." ( Heb.10:25 )

1. The Bible instructs us to fellowship:

A. The importance of fellowship:

Heb.10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together...but so much the more as ye see the day approaching
Psa.133:1-3 How good...for brethren to dwell together in unity
Mat.18:19,20 Where 2 or 3 are gathered...there am I in the midst
1Jn.1:7 If we walk in the light...have fellowship one with another
(See also 1Jn.1:3 ; Psa.119:63 .)

B. We are one body in Jesus:

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

C. There is strength in united fellowship:

Deut.32:30 One chase a thousand, two put ten thousand to flight (See also Lev.26:8 )
Eccl.4:9,10 Two are better than one...if they fall, one will lift up
Eccl.4:12 A threefold cord is not quickly broken
Acts 28:15 The brethren...came to meet us as far as Appi forum...whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, took courage

D. It's hard to be alone, without fellowship:

Eccl.4:10 Woe to him that is alone when he falleth; he hath not
2Tim.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 steadfastly in...doctrine and fellowship
1Cor.14:3,4 [Prophesying and doctrine edify the church]
1Cor.14:26 When ye come together...let all things be...edifying

B. Reading the Word together:

Neh.8:1-4a,8 The people gathered themselves together...Ezra read
Acts 15:30,31 Gathered multitude together...delivered the epistle
1Tim.4:13 Give attendance to reading, to exhortation...doctrine (See also Acts 16:4 ; Col.4:16 ; 1Thes.5:27 .)

C. Exhortation and instruction:

Acts 15:32 Exhorted brethren with many words and confirmed them
Acts 20:7 When the disciples came together...Paul preached
Heb.10:25 Assembling ourselves together...exhorting one another
(See also Acts 11:22,23 ; 15:36,41 .)

D. Gathering for special prayer:

1Tim.4:14 The gift...which was given thee...with the laying on of hands of the presbytery (assembly of elders)
Jam.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 20:7a The disciples came together to break bread

G. Meeting to discuss important matters:

Acts 15:2,4 [Went] unto apostles and elders about this question
Acts 20:17,18 He called elders of the church...when they were come
Acts 21:17-19 All the elders were present...(Paul) de clared what

H. Making a point to seek for fellowship:

(See Acts 21:3,4a ; 27:2,3 ; 28:13,14 .)

3. Holding meetings:

A. Everyone can contribute something:

1Cor.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 which believed were of one heart and of one soul
1Cor.14:33,40 In all the churches of the saints...let all things be done decently and in order
(See also 1Cor.11:17-34 ; 14:23-31 ; Jam.2:2-4 .)

C. United singing during fellowship:

Ezra 3:11 They sang together...praising and giving thanks
Mat.26:30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out
Heb.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:

1Cor.1:10 No divisions among you...be perfectly joined together
1Cor.12:25 Should be no schism in body... have the same care
Phi.2:2 Be likeminded...being of one accord, of one mind
(See also Gal.2:9 ; 1Pet.3:8 .)

5. Fellowship with the world:

A. Avoid intimate fellowship with the worldly:

Eph.5:11 Have no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness
2Cor.6:14-17 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers
(See also Jn.15:19 ; 1Cor.10:20,21 ; 1Jn.5:19 .)

B. We cannot avoid some dealings with unbelievers:

Jn.17:15 Not take them out of world...but keep them from evil
1Cor.5:9,10 Not altogether [separate]...for then ye must go out

C. Use fellowship with unbelievers to win them:

Mat.9:9-13 Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? I am come to call...sinners to repentance
1Cor.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