March 3, 2024
“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)
”They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42 (NASB)
“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)
In our noon Bible study, we are in the Book of Acts: “Signs of a Healthy Church” and Pastor Chapman highlighted the importance of free-flowing fellowship, described as “Koinonia” and what God had in mind as related to Believers in Christ and fellowship.
I immediately reflected on how I have been blessed over the years to have had the opportunity to meet and fellowship with some awesome Christian women who have tremendously blessed my life. One of the blessings of life is to have friends with whom you can sharpen your mind. Friends you can sit down with and talk about spiritual matters, matters of the heart, especially when life appears not to make sense and you are refreshed and strengthened, and always learn something.
I am reminded of what King Solomon penned in Proverbs 27:17, “ As iron sharpens iron, so, a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. (NKJV) As iron sharpens iron, in true Christian fellowship, Christians sharpen one another’s faith and stir one another to exercise that faith in love and good works, all to God’s glory.
Others can often see things in our lives that we miss. God designed His people to be interdependent so we can help one another grow toward Christ-likeness! God’s people always function best in community where we can challenge and enrich one another’s lives!
I love doing word studies and decided to take a closer look at “Koinonia.” It is a Greek (κοινωνία) word that translates to “fellowship,” sharing in common, or
“communion or participation.” Koinonia occurs approximately 20 times in the Bible depending on which version you are using. The first occurrence of koinonia is in Acts 2:42, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
Christian fellowship is a key aspect of the Christian life. Believers in Christ are to come together in love, faith, and encouragement, the essence of koinonia. The importance of true Christian fellowship is that it reinforces these things in our minds and helps us to focus on Christ and His desires and His goals for us.
Koinonia denotes a profound sense of communion and partnership among Believers, characterized by a shared life and purpose in Christ. This concept is evident in passages like 1 Corinthians 1:9, where Paul writes, “God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship (koinonia) with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” Believers are called into a deep, intimate relationship with Christ, which forms the foundation of their fellowship with one another. Philippians 2:1-2 says, “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.”
Koinonia is agreeing with one another, being united in purpose, and serving alongside each other. Our koinonia with each other is based on our common koinonia with Jesus Christ. First John 1:6-7 says, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 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.”
What is the importance of “Koinonia” Christian fellowship? A powerful example of what koinonia should look like can be found in a study of the phrase “one another” in the Bible.
Scripture commands us to be:
♥ devoted to one another – Romans 12:10
♥ honor one another – Romans 12:10
♥ live in harmony with one another – Romans 12:16; 1 Peter 3:8
♥ accept one another – Romans 15:7
♥ serve one another in love – Galatians 5:13
♥ be kind and compassionate to one another – Ephesians 4:32
♥ admonish one another – Colossians 3:16
♥ encourage one another – 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13
♥ spur one another on toward love and good deeds – Hebrews 10:24
♥ offer hospitality – 1 Peter 4:9
♥ and love one another – 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:11; 3:23; 4:7; 4:11-12
That is what true biblical koinonia should look like!
What Does Your Christian FELLOWSHIP Look Like?
Are you in fellowship with your church family? Do you consider yourself their partner, helping them with burdens and struggles, sharing with them the responsibility of reaching your community with the Good News of Jesus Christ?
Are you in fellowship with others in ministry? Do you support and partner with them by sharing your support and prayers to ensure their success?
Are you in fellowship with the Spirit of God? Do you understand that the Spirit of God wants to partner with you to change the way you think, feel, and respond? Are you participating with HIM so that you are a light shining in the world?
Are you in fellowship with Jesus? Do you long to share His suffering and are you sharing in the suffering of persecuted brethren throughout the world? Spend some time thinking and praying about your Christian fellowship.
HEART 
CHALLENGE: John 18:36 Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” (NLT) This relationship must be the basis of Christian fellowship. We can have friendships and relationships with unbelievers, but true Christian fellowship can only occur within the Body of Christ. We are united to one another by common beliefs, purposes, and goals. Our hearts and minds are “other-worldly” because we follow Jesus Christ, who said that His kingdom is not of this world We know that we are strangers in this world, and we long for the time when we will be in our true home, heaven.
A UNITED 
HEART: Christian fellowship and koinonia represent the deeply spiritual, union/ communion and partnership among Believers in Christ, characterized by unity, mutual support, active participation in the Gospel, sharing of spiritual gifts, and a covenantal relationship grounded in Christ. Through koinonia, Believers experience the transformative power of God’s love and grace, both individually and collectively, as they journey together in faith.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for Your Word that provides us with clear instructions on how to have real Christian fellowship. Thank You Father that You desire to have fellowship with us, in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen.
Reference: Logos Bible Study