Ac 2:42  And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

We know what doctrine is, we understand the breaking of bread and prayer, but what is fellowship?

Too often when Christians think of fellowship, they think in terms of eating and visiting. Isn’t that what fellowship is? Isn’t that what we do in the fellowship hall? Partially, but such a definition falls far short of the overall NT teaching.

The biblical word “fellowship” (koinonia) is based on the word “common.” To “have fellowship” with someone means that you share something in common with one another. Fellowship implies communion or intimate communication based on something held in common or something shared. Essentially, fellowship occurs when partners share things in common.

The early church “continued steadfastly in … fellowship.” One of the marks of a healthy NT church is that the members of that church fellowship together. That is, they see themselves as partners in a common work. They are participating with one another, sharing together based on common beliefs and goals. And they are able to continue steadfastly in that fellowship. They maintain that sense of partnership and cooperation in spite of problems that might hinder fellowship.

Let’s consider what the Bible says about fellowship. The focus here is going to be our fellowship with one another in the context of the church.