by David Smitherman<\/p>\n
The early disciples “continued steadfastly in ..fellowship” (Acts 2:42). And, this “constant attention” to fellowship is a practice of our first-century brethren that we would do well to imitate. But what is involved in “fellowship,” especially fellowship with a local church?<\/p>\n
Fellowship is not “placing membership” or having one’s name “on the roll.” Nor should it be equated with one’s bodily presence in an assembly. In spite of these things, there are many brethren who are not in fellowship with the congregation they claim to be a part of.<\/p>\n
The prefix “fellow” means being a partner, having or sharing in common with others (Philemon 17). Christians are those who share a common faith (Titus 1:4), salvation (Jude 3), calling (Hebrews 3:1), nature (II Peter 1:4), and relationship (Ephesians 3:6).<\/p>\n
But simply having things in common with others does not make one “in fellowship” with them. The suffix “ship” suggests a “state, condition, quality” that must be attained and maintained by activity. Extending the “right hand of fellowship” (Galatians 2:9) and jointly participating with others in activities that we all have a common interest brings us into true fellowship. There must likewise be a “fellowship of the spirit” (Philippians 2:1) or disposition. We must all “will” the same things.<\/p>\n
A local church is such a fellowship of saints: those with common interests, having a united spirit and jointly working together in providing for various activities (Philippians 1:1, 5; 4:10-18).<\/p>\n
In the work of the church do I “aid” my “fellows” in their scriptural endeavors to the extent of my ability? Do I “share” my “resources” (time, talents, money, etc.) with them as they work to accomplish their goals?<\/p>\n
In the assemblies of the church do I seek to learn from the teaching (Galatians 6:6)? As prayer is offered do I become of “one spirit” with the one expressing thoughts to God (I Corinthians 14:16)? Do I speak to my brethren in song and make melody in my heart to God (Ephesians 5:19)? And when the death of Christ is remembered, do I partake in a “worthy manner<\/em>” (I Corinthians 11:27)?<\/p>\n Isn’t it strange that brethren can believe they are still in fellowship with a local church even though they seldom, if ever, attend the assemblies, refuse to participate in the assemblies they do attend, or fail to “lend a hand” in the various programs of work being carried on?<\/p>\n Brethren, whenever we withdraw our “spirits” (and we are no longer interested in what is being done), or when our participation in the work ceases because we have deliberately withdrawn it, then we have withdrawn our fellowship. How many assemblies we attend, or our names being in the directory means nothing.<\/p>\n Brethren, let us be actively interested and involved in the work of the local church so that we may truly continue steadfastly in fellowship.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by David Smitherman The early disciples “continued steadfastly in ..fellowship” (Acts 2:42). And, this “constant attention” to fellowship is a practice of our first-century brethren that we would do well to imitate. But what is involved in “fellowship,” especially fellowship with a local church? Fellowship is not “placing membership” or having one’s name “on the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[27],"tags":[448,253],"class_list":["post-60882","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-church","tag-fellowship"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":61320,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/notes-on-buildings-assembly-halls-and-fellowship-halls\/","url_meta":{"origin":60882,"position":0},"title":"Notes on Buildings, Assembly Halls, and Fellowship Halls","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"June 10, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"Assemblies The church is commanded to come together for the purpose of worship and encouragement - I Corinthians 11:18, 20, 33; Hebrews 10:25 The purpose of coming together as a church is specifically separated from eating meals - I Corinthians 11:22, 34 Fellowship Fellowship is a state of being. It\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Notes","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":18232,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/fellowship\/","url_meta":{"origin":60882,"position":1},"title":"Fellowship","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 10, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0As hard as we try to keep terms pure and free from the influence of denominations, we still sometimes find things creeping into our language. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0People wanting to call the minister, \u201cpastor\u201d even though it properly belongs to those who oversee the congregation - the elders. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Similarly, the desire to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sermon"","block_context":{"text":"Sermon","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/sermon\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":18293,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-about-the-contribution-mentioned-in-romans-1526-isnt-that-making-fellowship\/","url_meta":{"origin":60882,"position":2},"title":"What about the contribution mentioned in Romans 15:26? Isn’t that making fellowship?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 7, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: What\u00a0you have said\u00a0has been\u00a0very\u00a0helpful and I am growing in my understanding now. This is what you said: \u201cFellowship is\u00a0a description of who they were. They were a people of one heart and one soul. Thus fellowship is\u00a0a description of their state or attitude toward each other. When people turn\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":87727,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/which-should-take-priority-fellowship-or-evangelism\/","url_meta":{"origin":60882,"position":3},"title":"Which should take priority – fellowship or evangelism?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"June 12, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Acts 2:46 states that they would meet every day. Today, with modern schedules, jobs, and family demands, daily gatherings seem unrealistic, but is this wrong thinking? To what extent is the daily fellowship model in Acts 2:46 an expectation for Christians, and how should believers today practically live out\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1156,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/can-fellowship-be-denied\/","url_meta":{"origin":60882,"position":4},"title":"Can fellowship be denied?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 20, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Where is the Bible passage that authorizes you to deny me fellowship as a member of the church when I acknowledge Christ and have been baptized? is there an ugly little secret that only those whose baptismal outlook is baptismal regenerationist are recognized? Apparently, my belief that my sins\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":18230,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-do-you-mean-by-saying-fellowship-is-a-state-of-being\/","url_meta":{"origin":60882,"position":5},"title":"What do you mean by saying fellowship is “a state of being?”","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 26, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I read\u00a0your sermon outline on fellowship\u00a0- it is very good. I have a question: you said that fellowship is a \"state of being\" and I do not understand what you mean. So can you explain\u00a0it to me, please? 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