Devoted to the Fellowship (Acts 2:42)

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Devoted to the Fellowship

Acts 2:42

Introduction: We often put such emphasis on the conversion of 3000 in Acts 2 that we neglect to notice the outcome of those conversions and what these new Christians did and pursued. Keep in mind, the outcome that is presented in 2:42-47 was something Luke wanted to highlight for Theophilus. Luke is not just writing a “history,” he is giving an instructional picture of what it means for Christians to work together. 

1. Initial Observations
   1. Again, notice the emphasis on devoted. Their desire for fellowship was intentional and driven intentionally. They made sure the fellowship with one another happened. They planned for it and worked for it.
   2. Further, Luke is recording this to for Theophilus to understand that the relationship between Christians was critical to accomplish the Lord’s work and was a significant part of what God desired for his people to do.
   3. Finally, we must be reminded that Luke did not write this as a command, just like he did not write “devoted to the apostles’ teaching” as a command. This is what the Christians did because it was an outcome of their salvation.
   4. “A SONG OF ASCENTS. OF DAVID. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.” (Psalm 133:0–3 ESV)
   5. The message of brethren “dwelling” together in unity is that it is a blessing from God. God called us together. Everything in Acts, everything in the NT, is about brethren dwelling together.
      1. Acts 2:46 “Attending the temple together…”
      2. 4:32 “The full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own…”
      3. 5:12 “…and they were all together in Solomon’s Portico.” 
2. The Meaning of Fellowship
   1. I first want to introduce you to a Greek word: koin or koine.  The reason for this is fairly simple. In our English Bibles, the same Greek word (or forms thereof) is translated by various English words, one of which is the word “fellowship.” By being aware of these varied English words, you will be able to better detect and define the idea of “fellowship.” You may of heard of the Greek language of the first century being called koine Greek. The word simply means the language that was “held in common” among the people. It was the “common” language of the day.
   2. Forms of this word are used over 80 times in the NT. Let’s notice the various ways this Greek word in translated so we can get a feel for its meaning.
      1. Romans 12:13 “Contribute [koinoneo] to the needs of the saints…”
      2. 1 Timothy 5:22 “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part [koinoneo] in the sins of others.” 
      3. Phil.4:15 “As you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, no church entered into partnership [koinoneo] with me in giving and receiving, except you only.” 
      4. Romans 15:26 “For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.” 
      5. 1 Cor. 1:9 “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 
      6. 1 Cor. 10:16 “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation/communion [koinonia] in the blood of Christ. The bread that we break, is it not a participation [koinonia] in the body of Christ?” 
      7. 2 Cor. 8:23 “As for Titus, he is my partner [koinonos] and fellow worker for your benefit.” 
      8. Hebrews 10:33 “…sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners [koinonos] with those so treated.” 
      9. Jude 3 “Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common [koinos] salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” 
      10. 2 Peter 1:4 “By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers [koinonos] of the divine nature…”
   3. By examining the above texts, you will notice two ways “fellowship” is used in the NT.
      1. There is a fellowship that is referring to our relationship that we find in Christ. In other words, in this sense all Christians, whether they know each other or not, share in the same blessings and relationship found in Christ. The text above in 2 Peter 1:4 and Jude 3 illustrates this. That relationship is not only with one another, but is first with God. See 1 John 1:1-4.
      2. There is a fellowship in which the scripture is referring to Christians physically participating or sharing in a common action. Titus “partnered” with Paul in the work. The Hebrews were companions or partners with others who were persecuted. The Corinthians and Macedonians shared money with the poor saints in Jerusalem. When the Corinthians took the Lord’s Supper together, they were “sharing” in the body and blood of the Lord.
   4. What is significant for us and for our day is that of the 80+ times the koine words are used, they are never used to refer to eating together other than the Lord’s Supper, and never used in reference to any secular participation with one another.
   5. While it is true that “fellowship” in the common, everyday sense, can refer to playing basketball or some other sport with others or sharing a meal, it is never used that way in scripture. There are two reasons this is important:
      1. First, we do not want to confuse biblical fellowship with the times we participate in a common activity with people who are not Christians. Though that may be fellowship in a secular sense, it is not fellowship in the biblical sense.
      2. Please note 1 Cor. 5:9-11. Paul makes clear that we need not avoid eating and companying with the sexual immoral, etc. is not necessary nor possible. He wants Christians to no longer associate with a so-called brother who continues in sin. By the way, “fellowship” is not used in this text. Technically, we are not “withdrawing fellowship” from an unruly brother. That already happened when they severed fellowship with God by their sin. We are simply acknowledging this by no longer have a physical association with them even in eating so that they are struck by their condition. Withdrawing “eating” is not called withdrawing fellowship.
      3. Second, the word fellowship has been used so loosely by some so as to make eating meals and playing together a work of the church. Once it is considered so, churches take the next step and believe it is necessary to fund such activities from the church collection. Thus, in the name of fellowship, large rooms with kitchens have been funded and even gymnasiums built. Most damaging is that the emphasis on true fellowship (our joint efforts and purposes in evangelism, edification of the body, and benevolence) takes second place. 
      4. Further, we want our children in our assemblies, participating with us in true fellowship so they grow up tasting fellowship with God and one another.
3. Fellowship in Action: A Common Participation in God
   1. It is evident from what we have studied so far and what we clearly see in Acts 2:42-47 that being “devoted to the fellowship” is being devoted to the family God has created us to be. We are devoted to a common participation in all things that have to do with God and God’s cause. It is a natural outcome from our own personal experience of being freed from the bondage of sin and enjoying our relationship with God. 
   2. First, we should make a simple, but profound observation. Devoting themselves to fellowship did not have limitations on who or how many would be a part of this fellowship. In Acts 2:47, the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. And in Acts 4:32, “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and one soul…” 
      1. These people came from at least 17 different countries with 17 different languages and 17 different cultures. And yet still they were of one heart and one soul. Whoever God accepted, they accepted. In fact, they were praising God for the continual number of those who were being added by the Lord. It didn’t matter the social status or economic status. God’s fellowship are Jew and Greek, bond and free, male and female, all who are one in Christ Jesus.
      2. Further, there were thousands of them, and growing. 3000 on the first day. By Acts 4, there were 5000 men. By Acts 5, there were “multitudes.” In Acts 6, they were “multiplying!” A number of years ago I was at a church in the Northeast. Typically churches are fairly small in that area, but the church where I was preaching had for the first time topped 100. I had a couple members tell me they weren’t happy about it because it wasn’t the intimate group they used to have where they could be close to everyone. Consider the problem with that thinking:
      3. The Jerusalem church was the only church where we have any idea of its size – and that was only in its beginning stages. Does anyone know how big the Ephesus church was? Paul preached their three years. How big was it? How about the Corinthian church? The churches of Macedonia or Galatia, or even the church in Antioch where their were a host of prophets and teachers, and where Paul and Barnabas spent a year teaching and the Lord adding to their number? We don’t know, do we? There is a reason for that. It doesn’t matter! Being devoted to the fellowship includes everyone God’s adds to that fellowship.
      4. I remember Edwin Crozier talk about this and he related to people asking him about the size of the church where he was working. No matter what the number (like 150), a person would say, “That’s a good number for a church.” Edwin would reply, “So, 155 wouldn’t be a good number for a church?” Or if the number was 360, “And 370 wouldn’t be good?” 
      5. Here is what we desperately need to remember: this church is not about us! We are the temple of God to bring the world to Christ. God adds to that number as he sees fit. Further, it doesn’t matter if people are hanging out the windows, there are still lost souls around us that need God’s saving grace and need to come into this fellowship. (El Cajon: “These people are messing up our church.”
   3. Therefore, fellowship with God and fellowship with one another go together. Notice 1 John 2:9-11.
      1. If we say we are in the light and yet hate our brother, we are still in darkness.
      2. Loving our brother is an illustration of one who is walking in the light.
      3. The one who hates his brother is completely blind to what it means to love God.
   4. Now, before you interpret the word “hate” in traditional present day language of “I have a despising in my heart for that person or those people,” consider the contrasts John uses. When we consider what it means to truly love someone, as in “love your neighbor as yourself,” we know that there is no love without active pursuit and care for that individual, just as in the parable of the Good Samaritan.
   5. To further illustrate, look at 1 John 2:18-19. Notice the words, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.”
   6. Add to this 1 John 5:19-20. Loving God and loving one another goes hand in hand. The stronger your love for God, the stronger you love for your brother and for your fellow man. As some have said, “The stronger your vertical fellowship is, the stronger your horizontal fellowship will be.” When you find your fellowship with God weakening, you will begin to find yourself out of fellowship with other Christians. When we see a member not coming to Bible studies regularly and not meeting with the body, what is our concern? Is it that we want them to check a box? That they came to church? No! It is evidence of that their vertical fellowship is waning. I can tell you that those who do such would deny that they are losing their love for God. But as we read in 1 John 2:9-10, they have been blinded to their own condition. There is no way you can say you love God and not be passionate about your fellowship with God’s people! 
   7. Further, such a person would surely say, “I don’t hate the people at the church. I don’t hate anyone!” Really? That is like someone who does nothing to serve God or promote God saying that they are not an atheist. Sorry, but you may proclaim that you believe in God, but practically speaking, you are an atheist. You do not live any differently. The same is true with one who says they do not hate fellow Christians but at the same time do nothing that would illustrate love for their fellow brothers. Practically speaking, that is not love, and it is no different than one who withdraws himself from others. Practically speaking, it is hate. That is exactly what John is teaching!
   8. You see, those who share in God inevitably share in God’s nature, which includes loving as God loves, sharing as God shares, pursuing one another and the lost as God pursues. It is the point of the parable of the prodigal.

Conclusion: Let’s refer back to Ephesians 4 and the church being equipped so that every part does its share and the body edifies itself in love. Being devoted to the fellowship includes taking your equipped gift and combining it with others who have complementary gifts, so the fellowship is strengthened and the body grows.

Berry Kercheville