Christian Fellowship

The word “fellowship” has become a kind of Christian slang for the informal time spent with other believers, perhaps sharing a meal together. Many churches have rooms designated as the “fellowship hall” or include the words “Christian Fellowship” in their names. However, the Scriptural meaning of the Greek word “koinonia” (translated “fellowship” in the New International Version) is much deeper than our American church tradition implies. Historically, the word “koinonia” was used to describe a business partnership, marriage and the act of generous participation in a central connecting belief or experience. In his first Epistle John teaches that Christian fellowship centers around the doctrinal truth of who Jesus is, but also around a shared experience with Jesus and the Father with whom we also have fellowship. This synthesis of both a horizontal (with each other) and vertical fellowship (with God) sets apart the Christian Community.  

In the first chapter of his first Epistle, John introduces the two focuses that comprise his letter; the divinity of Jesus and Christian fellowship. First John, uncompromisingly declares Jesus as the divine Son of God and the Word of life. His witness is based on the actual physical encounter he had with Jesus whom the apostles testify they have “seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched” (I John 1:12, New International Version).  However, he also writes that his fellowship with the Father and Son is ongoing (1:3) and not just reserved for the time when Jesus walked on earth. His clarity on the issue of Jesus’ nature is intended to confront those in the church who have denied Jesus as the Christ (2:22) and that he came in the flesh (4:2-3), the implication being that they are not in fellowship with God or the church (2:19).  However, between those who experienced the truth of who Jesus Christ is and walk in light of that truth, true fellowship is experienced.

It is not only the doctrinal belief in Jesus that binds believers together, but the shared experience of salvation and the ongoing fellowship with the Father and the Son. John writes of this experience in 1:3 where he says, “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ” (NIV). This idea is reminiscent of Jesus prayer in the Gospel of John 17:20-21 where he says, “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (NIV). It was Jesus’ desire that believers would continue to experience his work and presence as a part of their Christian life. It is this experience that binds Christian brothers and sisters together in fellowship not only with God but with each other. This is perhaps the most mysterious and remarkable part of Christian fellowship: that it is not just between people but includes fellowship with God.  

Our Father

While Jesus was on earth he was an example to us of what a relationship with God is supposed to look like. Jesus continually refers to God as his Father and our Father (Matthew 5:16, 45, 48, Luke 11:2, 13, John 20:17). This gives us important insight into the nature of God and how he desires for us to know him. While Jesus is described as our messiah, redeemer, savior, friend and bridegroom, God takes the name “Father.” Rather than the fearful or aloof gods of ancient culture, the Judeo-Christian God is one that desires a nurturing, loving relationship with his children. This is why Jesus describes God as a Father with a house (John 14:1) rather than a ruler with a kingdom or even a creator with his creation, although these attributes are also true.

We know that it was the Father’s desire to be in relationship with his children that motivated the incarnation of Christ and was the reason for his death and resurrection. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice for the sake of mankind’s reconciliation to God he can declare himself the only way to the Father (Jn. 14:6). There is no other way to be reconciled to Father God but through the cross of Christ. And there is no other way to relate to God than through the cross of Christ. There is nothing you can do with your own skill, strength or even spiritual giftedness that wins you an audience with God, much less a relationship. In fact, relying on these things is what empties the cross of its power, as Paul told the Corinthian Church, “Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power” (I Corinthians 1:17). Of course, many of us agree theologically that it is not by our own works that we have access to the Father, but if we are honest with ourselves, too often our theology does not match our experience. Perhaps part of the reason is that in a culture ruled by religious mandates and the intellectual desire for empirical evidence we are reluctant to embrace the foolishness of a relationship where I continually remain as a child, dependent on the love of my unseen Father (who some might think of as my imaginary friend). We are reluctant to appear foolish, as a spiritual novice, who simply lives abandoned to the love of Father God. But the Father is not looking for the experts, professionals or the gifted. He is looking for a child. This is your primary calling in life. Not to preach or minister or even serve. Simply to be his kid.

Relationship with God is not like relationship with people. Your experience with other people tells you that you must work hard to be attractive or win another’s affections. Your experience with other people tells you that if you do not live up to their expectations you risk rejection and abandonment. But as God’s child you are already attractive to him and you have already won his heart simply by being born. He will not reject or abandon you if you do not measure up because you already know you cannot measure up. His love is not based on what you can do but on what He has already done for you. All you must do to access an experience with this loving, perfect Father is to let go of your need to see with your eyes, hear with your ears and know with your intellect. You must with childlike faith believe in the unseen, that which you cannot grasp with your minds, and receive His love that is far beyond what you could ever deserve or even imagine. Then you will know what a relationship with God is like and you will experience this “love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19).