Acts 2:44-47 encourages fellowship among believers and all those who believed together and had all things in common (v45) and they began selling their properties and possessions and were sharing them with all, as any one might have need. They were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart.
The passage above clearly shows us what exactly happened after the formation of the 1st century Church, the way the believers were living together. It is a great gain when the brethren fellowship together.
This fellowship is a relationship of inner unity among believers that expresses itself in outer co-participation with Christ and one another in accomplishing God’s will on earth. The first century Church used to meet every day and partake in the Lord’s super to signify their fellowship and union with Christ and with each other. In this dispensation we know that it’s the Lord commandment at the last supper that we observe the Lord’s Table in His remembrance. It is then resolved generally to partake in the Lord’s Table on Sundays and where possible as many times during the week to strengthen fellowshipping among believers. The church continued with the practice of establishing ministry, society, Building of cell groups which takes place in Homes (House Fellowship) where diversification of activity happens, e.g. giving to the needy, exercise of different spiritual gifts, praying, studying the Bible, and edifying one another (serve one another).
The purpose of fellowship is to show God’s glory to the world and all the many ways that the Bible commands it. You are to practice fellowship by taking an active part in any cell group where you can best help to show God’s glory. We are to help where we have the opportunity for the edification of fellow believers. Those who do not know their spiritual gifts should prayerfully identify them. As we work with others, our gifts will surface and we shall find places to function in the church. There are also natural abilities that are innate in us to glorify God and build up the church with.
As Christians, we need to fellowship among ourselves as commanded in I John 1:7 “ 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. It is essential for every believer to be actively involved in Christian Fellowship because willful rejection of fellowship is an evidence of not walking in the light.”
A famous preacher once said “show me a professing Christian who seldom attends church activities and I will show you a backslider who needs to set his/her heart right before God.
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ shows us that He takes seriously how we relate to His body. Our love, expression of kindness and ministry to any of our brothers and sisters in Christ are received as though they were done unto the Lord, Matthew 25:40 “And the king shall answer and say unto them, verily I say unto you in as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me.”
Therefore, we should not refuse to gather before Jesus with other believers when the opportunity is given. If we refuse to gather with our brethren, we have in reality refused to gather with Jesus. “For where two or three are gathered in my name I am there in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20.
Fellowship with the body of Christ is not just an option, but also a fundamental path to our survival as Christians. We need the preaching and teaching from God’s word to grow spiritually. We require the atmosphere of praise and worship, the opportunities of Christian Service and the opportunity to practice love toward other Christians to sustain our faith. Let us get involved and stay in a faithful fellowship with the body of Christ. We don’t have to jettison this aspect of our Christian life even if are offended by other believers, rather we should forebear with one another and forgive one another so that the fellowship can strive and become a source of spiritual nutrient for all of us.
It is written in Hebrew 10:24 – 26, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works 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. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.”
Beloved in Christ, let us endeavour to find time to participate in weekly activities and/or join any available house fellowships of our church.