What Does Fellowship Mean?

Posted on August 3, 2018 by Mike

The dictionary definition of fellowship is friendly association with people who share the same interests. When Christians talk about fellowship they are talking about something that goes a bit deeper than the dictionary. What does fellowship mean to Christians? For Christians, fellowship begins with accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

“God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:9 (NASB)

As a follower of Jesus, fellowship takes on a whole new meaning. The “friendly association” you have with other believers is founded on your fellowship with God. There truly isn’t any deeper connection than that. Every believer has the Holy Spirit living inside of them constantly fueling their fellowship with God.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14 (NASB)

Christian fellowship starts with Jesus. And for Christians to have meaningful fellowship with other Christians they must continuously spend time cultivating their relationship with Jesus. Christian faith is not something you only do on Sunday it’s an all or nothing proposition. God wants all of you. There’s no such thing as a part-time Christian.

“If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” 1 John 1:6 (NASB)

In order to have sincere fellowship with other believers we need to maintain our purity as Christians. This doesn’t mean we have to completely shun the world, but it does mean we have to completely shun worldly ways and focus on a Godly path. Our fellowship with Jesus is made complete when we give ourselves over to His instruction.

“But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 (NASB)

What does fellowship mean? Christian fellowship starts with Jesus. There can be no Christian fellowship without Jesus. Therefore, the dictionary definition of Christian fellowship might be a friendly association with people who share the same Lord and Savior.

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