OCT 22

Acts 2:42-47
Memorise Psalm 133:1
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

HOW IS THE FELLOWSHIP LIKE IN A REFORMED CHURCH?

It is not wrong for a group of believers to meet together to exchange cupcake recipes, talk about sports or chat about what’s going on at school. But this is not fellowship. Christian fellowship is spiritually minded believers meeting to pursue a shared purpose: to encourage and build up one another in the faith, rebuke sin, pray, and do the work of God. Of course there is nothing wrong when Christians also talk about the best food or about current affairs, but our bond comes about through unity in faith.

Is it true birds of a feather flock together? I believe so, which is why the fellowship of these early believers was all the more so remarkable. They came from such diverse backgrounds and from all over the Roman Empire yet had such gladness and singleness of heart. The Greek word for fellowship in Acts 2:42 is koinonia which means partnership or sharing. The believers became one spiritual body with no division. Such was the unity that they voluntarily gave up ownership and control of their possessions, sharing without discrimination to all. Their fellowship bore not just spiritual, but practical fruit. What made this fellowship possible was doctrinal purity, the foundation and reason for being unwavering, not departing from what the apostles had taught. The fellowship they had was not just a one off event, but was a daily occurrence.

Consider then, what is the basis of your fellowship with fellow believers? Is it rooted in the teachings of Christ, or worldly interests? Do you value fellowship and is it a regular and important part of your Christian life? The problem we have is that when we enter the church premises, we still see ourselves as individuals, different from others in terms of age, gender, personality etc. Rather we should see ourselves as part of the body of Christ, bound to each other by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, a bond that ought to be even closer that familial ties. We have unity in church as all of us subscribe to the same doctrinal stands which impacts all facets of our lives; we should thus cast aside our doubts about whether we fit in, and realize we already do! If you do already enjoy this bond of fellowship, then will you not do more to encourage others around you to enjoy it as well?

Thought: How can you deepen fellowship with fellow believers and share more?
Prayer: May my fellowship with my friends and family be firmly rooted in Your Word.