The world around us looks at the word “fellowship” with a very liberal concept. So much so that in their practice, it means anyone with whom you shared anything is one whom you have fellowship with. I suppose that this comes from Thayer’s description of the Greek word “koinonia” which is translated as “fellowship” where Thayer gives the following definitions:
koinōnia
1) fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation, intercourse
1a) the share which one has in anything, participation
1b) intercourse, fellowship, intimacy
1b1) the right hand as a sign and pledge of fellowship (in fulfilling the apostolic office)
1c) a gift jointly contributed, a collection, a contribution, as exhibiting an embodiment and proof of fellowship.
Generally, other Lexicons agree with all of the statements which Thayer makes on this and so I suppose that we could loosely use the word fellowship in this way today.
But is that really what Luke is describing in his use of the word?
[Act 2:42 NKJV] 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
If we are striving to be the church that is found in Acts 2 after so many had obeyed the gospel, we would do well to not only continue in the teaching of the Apostles (the apostles’ doctrine), but also continue in fellowship as these two are connected and parallel in the structure of the sentence so that if you are doing one, you must also do the other (connected here by the word “and”). The idea of this sentence then is that they were paying close attention to what the Apostles were teaching, putting it into practical application in their lives, and sharing with one another in a very connected and communal way.
We, however, do a disservice to the text when we don’t consider the context around it. Notice what Luke is discussing and how.
[Act 2:42-47 NKJV] 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders
and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
So, in verse 42, we have their worship described – “the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, breaking of bread, and in prayers”. Many will try to take fellowship here and apply it to social engagements, generally sharing meals together, etc. Let’s be clear that “fellowship” is not referring to sharing meals here and hanging out at the lake. The context tells us that this verse is isolated to that of worship.
Continuing down the page then, we do find that they had social dealings with one another (note that I didn’t exclude that Luke describes this part of their lives as well). In verse 44, they shared all things in common, verse 45 the wealthy shared with the poor to provide for their needs, and in verse 46 we find their one-ness their common meals shared together, and the simplicity with which they lived together in community.
Let me ask though, is this a description of Christians dealing with people outside the church? What we have are Christians living a life that is filled up with being around and near other Christians. Worshiping together and sharing in community. This is why it was so important as described by the Hebrew writer.
[Heb 10:24-25 NKJV] 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as [is] the manner of some, but exhorting [one another], and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Fellowship is not a general being together, but a connectedness in an intimate and close way sharing in things of a spiritual nature. It is what we do as we join in worship to God together. It’s performed further as we commune with each other and the Lord in the remembrance feast that honors His sacrifice, His atonement for us, His resurrection and the promise that it is in our lives as children of God. Fellowship should be in our minds as John describes it in His epistle: [1Jo 1:7 NKJV] 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.