Charis Ministries

 

As we work our way through this material there will be some surprises. Doing a word study in the Scriptures ensures that we look at each of the references of that word and how it is used, in its context, each time. So let’s begin our focus on fellowship and how we can then pray for our church effectively based on what the Lord has revealed already.

 

I. Every Person would have a Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ.  -Heb. 2:14; 1 Cor. 1:9; 1 John 1:3,7; 2 Cor. 13:14

 

 

 As we begin we notice our first surprise verse. This is not one of the verses that is normally studied when there is discussion about fellowship in a local church. Here, the writer, explained that Jesus shared (fellowshipped/partook/identified with) with people in the same flesh and blood as every person that has lived or will live. His identification with us was total and complete. The only difference was that He did not have a sin nature (Romans 8:3; Phil. 2:7; 2 Cor. 5:21). 

 

His humanity was evident in a variety of situations as he grew tired from travelling (John 4:6) and He cried (11:35) and He despaired (Matt. 26:38). His identification with us culminated with His death on the cross and His resurrection. This, then, rendered powerless the devil since Jesus Christ overcame sin and death through His death and resurrection (1 Cor. 15:53-57). 

 

His complete sharing or fellowshipping in our earthly life resulted in our salvation. 

 

 

 

As Paul began this letter to the Corinthian church with all its problems by ensuring that the readers would recognize that the ground of their salvation is fellowship with Jesus Christ.

The communion between a man or woman and Jesus Christ begins at conversion. This communion results in an intimate personal communication on a regular, consistent basis. 

 

The purpose of our calling is to bring us into an abiding relationship with Christ. The word

‘fellowship’ is used to describe this relationship. Each believer is intimately connected to Christ.

His Spirit abides in us-each believer- (Rom. 8:9), Christ lives within us (Gals. 2:20) and continues to helps us grow as a Christians.

 

  1 John 1:3,7 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. . . . but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

These two passages indicate that anyone who fellowships with the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit is a Christian. They have been born again and they have an abiding relationship with the Triune Lord. To know the Lord is to fellowship with Him. 

 

Fellowship with God cannot be broken since it has been established through spiritual birth. A Christian cannot be unborn. Even though they may sin, it is communication that is hampered not fellowship. Fellowship is the relationship.

 

 

II. Unity in the Church would be Evident based on Their Common Personal Relationship with Christ. -Acts 2:46; 4:32-37; Phil. 2:1-4

 

As the early church was taught the Word of God (2:42), they put into practice in obedience to that Word the reality of the fellowship expected by the Lord of His followers. This verse simply explains the practical outworking of fellowship among believers in Christ. They had the same attitudes and purpose arising from their common thinking in the same way about God’s Word. They had one mind about all things. 

They met together for worship in their own homes since there was no central building. They were willing to have a variety of people in their homes and provide the necessary hospitality. This is evident in their taking meals together. Their ‘onemindedness’ is reflected in their ongoing attitude of gladness. Their motivation was always genuine since they were sincere from the heart. 

Let’s look a little more closely at the practical evidence of fellowship among believers according to Acts.

 

Once again the word, ‘one’ is used for believers except this time Luke used the words ‘heart’ and ‘soul’. These are different from Acts 2:46 in which Luke used the word ‘mind’. The variety of terms helps to emphasize the complete unity that was evident among these believers. They didn’t only talk about oneness and unity they understood how to put it into practice.

 

They were willing to make their needs known and to find out what the needs of the other members of the body were as well. Then they made every effort to meet those needs in practical ways. Here, there were those who had property that they decided, for the sake of specific members of their church who were in need, to dispose of the property and share the proceeds with them. 

 

It seems this passage provides the first indication of the extent of the responsibilities as well as the authority that was exercised by the apostles. The monies gained by the sale of the properties or other means were given to the apostles to administer as they saw fit. This happened until everyone in the church had their needs met.

 

Yes, this raises some important questions in terms of the oversight of the funds and accountability of those who received the monies based on their need. The purpose of this book is not to deal with that right now but rather to remind us of the fact that this is how Biblical fellowship works.

 

Finally, Joseph of Cyprus, a Levite, also called Barnabas, is specifically introduced by Luke at this point. It seems that Luke decided to name him and his actions here as a way to help us understand more about Barnabas who would be involved in ministry with Paul and in various churches as the account of Acts unfolds. There would have been many others who had done something similar to Barnabas but Luke focuses on him.

 

Notice that the process that Barnabas followed is exactly the same that Luke described in general terms a few verses earlier. 

 

This type of fellowship is possible in your church. It may not take exactly the same form but the believers in Acts described in these chapters are not any more spiritual than the believers in your church. The one advantage they had was their grasp of the fundamental principle that the church gathers for teaching, fellowship, worship and prayer and scatters for evangelism. They didn’t mix those things up. As a result, they were maturing in such a way that they practiced what they were taught. Here, fellowship is truly demonstrated within a local church.

 

Philip. 2:1-4  Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Notice the process that Paul uses in these verses. As he is about to introduce the importance and necessity of each believer having the same attitude as Christ when He came to earth (2:5-7) he begins with key aspects of the Christian life. He is assuming that each of these is true. He mentions encouragement in Christ, consolation of love and affection and compassion but in the midst of these he points out the ‘fellowship of the Spirit’. 

 When a person becomes a Christian they receive the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9). Since their spirit is now alive and responsive to the Holy Spirit He begins His work of conforming each believer into the image of Christ (Rom8:29). One aspect of the conforming is the development of ‘the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose’. The emphasis on unity is brought out with the words, ‘same (2x), united and one’. This attitude develops in a local church when each believer is concerned about other members of the body and their needs in addition to their own needs. This attitude develops when each believer puts the interests and concerns of others in the church ahead of their own. This attitude develops when every believer refuses to put themselves forward for the purpose of personal advantage. This can only happen if the Spirit resides within a person.

 

 

 

            A. In specific sin -1 Cor. 5:1,2,6,7,9,11-13

 

I quoted extensively from this passage since it is vital to the health of every local church that discipline be exercised as the need arises. Discipline is carried out in small ways through personal encouragement and exhortation from one believer to another in helping each of them to be consistent in their walk with Christ. 

 

As every member of the church ( I use the word member to mean each person attending your local church not a specific group who have committed themselves to your church, what it teaches and to serving in ministry) experiences and sees discipline in action in smaller ways when there is a need for church wide discipline of one member there is an understanding of the purpose and need for it.

 

The topic of discipline requires a separate booklet but Biblical fellowship and the unity that will result can only happen if the type of discipline expected by Paul in this passage is exercised whenever necessary.

 

If the intention is to restore the sinning member or members to obedience to Christ and the Biblical model is followed, if through the steps involved with the discipline process the member refuses to repent the church must be prepared to remove the unrepentant member if necessary. This will maintain the purity of the fellowship and it will be an example to everyone in your church that fellowship with one another leading to corporate unity requires discipline of sin. As a result, each member will be more aware of dealing with sin themselves.

 

 

 

            B. in teaching false doctrine -2 John 10,11

2 John 10-11     If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.

 

The background of this verse relates to those individuals who, as teachers of God’s Word, would travel from place to place expounding Christian truth. Not everyone who professed to be such a teacher actually was a Christian. Many brought false teachings into the church.

 

Here John makes it clear that we are to check out a person’s doctrinal beliefs as a basis for fellowship. He stated it negatively but the point is the same: fellowship between believers is based on key Christian doctrines which provide the basis for determining whether you or I can fellowship as believers.

 

This means that each believer is responsible to develop his or her convictions about the fundamentals of the Christian faith. This also involves determining which doctrines are foundational to Christianity and which ones permit diversity of viewpoints.

 

 

 

            C. -in hypocrisy -1 John 1:6

How appropriate for John to make a statement that is black and white. He doesn’t mince words. Our profession and our lives must match. There cannot be inconsistency in the overall direction of our lives. 

 

The people John is referring to believed that since the material, physical world was evil and the spiritual was eternal that you could live any way you liked (sin as much as you wanted—antinomianism, that is against the law or no law at all) but that sin had no effect on the spiritual aspect of your being. You would still be ‘saved’. 

 

John wrote that people who profess to know Christ but who continually practice sin in every day living are not Christians. John used the word ‘fellowship’ here to mean knowing God in Jesus Christ or ‘born again’ or ‘saved’ or ‘Christian’ or ‘believer’. The reality of the abiding relationship with Christ is fellowship, is communication, is experiential, is personal and will impact every area of life. 

 

 

 

            D. -with unbelievers -2 Cor. 6:14-18

The Spirit of God could not have made it more plain. Anyone who is a believer in Jesus Christ will not make any life long commitments with anyone who is an unbeliever. These verses are not only referring to marriage. Although that is a key application of this text.

 

It is referring to the attitude, the mindset that is so completely different between the believer and unbeliever that, ultimately the believer will be discredited in their testimony and life and God will be dishonoured. There was a reason, in the Old Testament, why God required that the people of Israel were not to intermarry with other nations. The effect would be detrimental to the holiness of Israel and blaspheme God’s name.

 

Notice the different words that are used here to denote the relationship. Paul uses words like:

‘bound together’, ‘fellowship’, ‘harmony’, ‘in common’, ‘agreement’. Each of these words conveys different aspects of the same thing—an association between two or more people with closely linked relationships and, as a result,  ongoing decision making which would require similar purposes, goals, ethics and morals. There is an intertwining of their thinking. 

 

That is why Paul quoted from the Old Testament indicating the need for separation not intimacy.

 

 

 

IV. The Church would Meet the Physical Needs of All People Especially Believers. -Rom. 12:13; 2 Cor. 8:4; Gals. 6:6; Phil. 4:15b; 1 Tim. 6:18; Heb. 13:16; Acts 2:44,45

 

 

Here is an excellent example of the importance of checking out original meanings of key words in the English text. The word ‘contributing’ in this text is the verb ‘êïéíùíÝù, which is the

 

word often translated fellowship. This helps us learn more about the idea of fellowship. 

When we as members of a local church assist other believers in their physical needs we are fellowshipping with them. We are participating in meeting their need. As we do this, the relationship is strengthened and our kinship in Christ continues to blend and grow.

 

The Macedonians, despite their own poverty, implored Paul to take an offering from them to meet the physical needs of the saints in Jerusalem. They gave out of their own resources what they could not afford to give, but they gave anyway. This is similar to the widow who gave all she had, all she had to live on to the temple treasury (Luke 21:1-4). It is not how much we give but the attitude with which we give and the extent of the sacrifice for us. 

We, as Christians, give out of love and gratitude not out of an expectation or anticipation that we will get something in return. We have all we need right now. God has given to us all the spiritual resources we need (2 Pet. 1:3) to live in a way that glorifies Him. Also, He has promised to meet our physical needs according to His will and purpose (Matt. 6:25-34).

 

 

The intent of this verse is similar to the previous two verses but there is a difference. The other two focussed on the entire church, that is, all the believers in a particular church or location. Whereas this verse limits the ministry of meeting practical needs to those who have committed their lives to teaching the Word of God (see also 1 Tim. 5:17-18). The emphasis is on the meeting of their material needs but the word used for good, Pãáèüò, includes the sharing of personal and spiritual needs. The recognized teachers of God’s Word need the encouragement and exhortation of the Word themselves from those who are members of the body. They greatly appreciate every believer who shares how God has been speaking to them from their time in the Scriptures each week.

 

Again, we have another exhortation for members of the body, here those who are rich in material goods, to serve other Christians by helping to meet their physical needs. The words, generous, and ‘ready to share’ both have the idea of imparting something or giving. The emphasis in the word ‘generous’ is on doing it well, that is, being liberal about giving. The stress in the word ‘ready to share’ is explained well by A.T. Robertson, “Stronger than the preceding word, as implying a personal share in the pleasure imparted by the gift.” E-sword, A.T. Robertson

Acts 2:44-45 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

This is one of the most well known yet lest practiced of the aspects of the ministries of a local church. This is also an excellent example of the different verses that we have considered up to this point in sharing our material goods with others. This was not done in a vacuum. It seems that it was not generated as a plan from the leadership but developed as needs arise within the church. This type of ministry was interconnected to the other ministries as well.

Believers needed to be taught the Word so they understand God’s character, what sin is and what effect it has had on each person, the authority of the Word, the person and work of Christ, the responsibility of each person to respond in faith and repentance, and the coming judgement.

Also they need to be taught the design of the body of Christ and how it is to function. In that context, these believers then recognized the grace of God that they had received was not as a result of anything in themselves, it was entirely a free gift. Also, that God is the ‘owner’ of everything and we are simply stewards of all that He has entrusted to us. Further, that each believer would understand that we are to serve others and not just ourselves. So, whenever needs we made known, every member of the body did what they could, including selling their own personal items to help meet the need.

This was not without organization or structure since we read in Acts 4:34-35 [“For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.”] that any money received from the sales of their goods or property would be given to the apostles for distribution. This also meant that the apostles were aware of those in need so they took the responsibility of determining who had a need and who did not. The same process was in place during the time that Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy describing the process of deciding which widows to put on a list for support by the church.

The point is that fellowship happened within the context of the church when individual Christians meet the needs of other Christians who had a need. Fellowship is not fellowship simply in the meeting of the need. Rather fellowship occurs when a believer, for the glory of God, takes the initiative to meet a physical need for another believer. Fellowship arises from the attitude of the heart, the ultimate goal which is foundational to all that the Christian does, God’s honour.

Note that the writer to the Hebrews exhorted the believers at that time and place, “And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16 It is significant to know that the responsibility of each Christian to meet the physical needs of other believers as well as nonbelievers is found in several different letters of the New Testament.

 

 

V. The Church would Identify with Those Who are Suffering.  -1 Peter 4:12,13; Phil. 3:10; 2 Cor. 1:7; Heb. 10:32-35

 

 

As we work our way through some of these verses there is Biblical teaching that is not often discussed within the context of fellowship. Here is another one. Each of us as Christians is to recognize, look for, ask about the suffering of other believers. In the context of this letter Peter is writing about the severe persecution that these believers were facing for their faith. The suffering would have been emotional, physical, mental and financial. In this section Peter is reminding them that they should not be surprised by this suffering. Did not Christ suffer when He was here on earth? Was not His suffering indicative of the Christian life? He taught in John that we would be hated by others on account of Him [John 15:18-19 If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.]

As each of the believers in your church begins to take the initiative to share their faith they will encounter various forms of suffering. Each of us must be prepared to help out and support them in whatever way we can. 

 

 

 

This section of Philippians is one of those mountain top sections in Scripture that is packed with theological and practical truth. Paul is driving home the point that our good works, of any kind, are useless, as the basis for our salvation. Rather, it is the righteousness of Christ based on faith that is the basis for our salvation. And in this verse he described his direction or goals in life including identifying with Christ’s suffering, even to the point of death.

 

This is not much different than the challenge in the gospel preached by Christ that each one much deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23). Is this the kind of fellowship you think about when you hear the word ‘fellowship’?

 

This is vital for every believer to understand and live. Therefore, it is incumbent that each of us prays for other believers in our church concerning their desire for this relationship with Christ.

 

The indication in this passage is that Paul had been facing a severe physical problem and he was close to death. But he had shared with the Corinthians his need and God had delivered him. Not only did he revive him physically but also comforted him emotionally. 

 

As Paul expressed his thanks to God and the Corinthians for praying for him in his suffering he expressed a tremendously practical truth. When we pray for each other we are sharing in the other person’s suffering. But also, that when the Lord answers, in whatever way He deems best, we then share in the answer to the prayer.

 

Do not think that prayer is the last or least thing that you can do. It is vital to the fellowship of the body. Remember too that you can pray for any other believer that you know has a need no matter where they may live. What an amazing privilege! What an wonderful opportunity to fellowship with many other believers worldwide!

 

I pray regularly for missionaries in various parts of the world. These are people we know, either personally, or we have come to know more and more as we have ongoing communication with them. We prayed for one missionary couple as she was expecting their second child and she developed a blood clot in her leg. The Lord answered by providing the right kind of treatment that gradually dissipated the clot. 

 

I am praying for a missionary couple who were on furlough and she was involved in a bicycle accident that initially left her in a semi conscious state. Gradually she was improving to the point they anticipated moving her but then she had a relapse. Her improvement has been slow and gradual. They are unsure about their work in ministry as she recuperates. I continue to pray for her and them. I share with their pain and emotional strain and I rejoice with her improvements.

 

Another verse that expresses well is 1 Cor. 12:26 “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” Although the word fellowship or any derivative is not found in this verse, it clearly teaches exactly the concept of fellowship. When one member is honoured, there should not be jealousy by the other members but rather rejoicing with that member. But if there is a member who is suffering, then the other members need to take the initiative to support, help, encourage and pray for them,  no matter how difficult the suffering may be or how long the suffering may last. 

 

Fellowship often involves sacrifice!

 

Here is another indication that the Christian life will often involve personal suffering and sacrifice. As the writer of Hebrews is encouraging and exhorting these believers to remain steadfast and faithful to their calling in Christ he expressed deep appreciation for those believers who had moved out beyond their own personal safety and identified with other believers who had gone to prison for their faith. This meant that those who visited others in prison, though free to come and go since they were not in prison, still lost their homes without any recompense or recourse.

 

This is a real example of personal identification in the fellowship of the body. The choice is the things accumulated, saved for and personally paid for or the support of fellow believers in their need. There is a great need for this type of sacrifice within each local church which would demonstrate the love Jesus Christ described in John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

In addition to the ongoing fostering of fellowship in love that this type of sacrifice would effect there is the secondary benefit of the witness to the world of the outworking of Christ’s love through His followers to others.

 

 

 

VI. The Church would Witness Together -Phil. 1:5

 

Another surprise! According to Paul’s prayer for the Philippians he thanked them for participating, that is fellowshipping, in the spread of the gospel. This happened both by the proclamation of the good news of Christ (1:12-30) and the financial assistance (4:10-20) that they provided for him a different times. 

 

The expectation by Paul is not that some would proclaim the good news and others would financially support those who witness. No, all Christians are to do both.

 

 

 

VII. The Church Ensure that Those Leaders Who Work Hard at  Preaching and Teaching Receive Appropriate Financial Recompense    -Gals. 6:6(1 Tim. 5:17)

 

Galatians 6:6 The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.

 

The local church that is committed to spiritual growth understands the importance of the Word of God and also those whom God has given as teachers of the Scriptures. So it is vital that those gifted as preachers and teachers be able to dedicate their time to the thorough preparation needed for sound Biblical teaching and preaching. This means that the contribution given by the believers of each local church will assist those called as preaching and teaching the Bible in such as way that they will have the time to prepare each week for each teaching responsibility. This is Biblical fellowship. 

 

VIII. The Leadership would be Cautious in Identifying Potential Leaders  -1 Tim. 5:22

What an important truth this is for local churches. This has to do with the selection process for leadership, elders and deacons/deaconess specifically. But in a secondary way this also applies to the broader Christian context.

 

As leaders or anyone who is being considered for any role which has some level of responsibility, from elder to the care of the library to nursery helpers to S.S. Superintendents or Small Group directors, it is necessary that their spiritual walk and character be checked out before they are accepted.

 

The laying on of hands does not contribute or bring about God’s working or blessing in the person but it visibly demonstrates the connection between leadership, who represent the Lord in authority, and those selected for specific responsibilities. This act, representatively, indicates that these people are selected to fulfill the positions they have been selected for since their character and personal behaviour shows godly living. 

 

Again, through this process of selecting and commissioning there is fellowship being expressed

 

 

Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: ©Lloyd Douglas, Charis Community Church, Victoria, B.C., Canada wdouglas@telus.net  www.charisvictoria.ca