Christian Fellowship

GOLDEN TEXT: “I thank my God … for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.”—Philippians 1:3,5

THE blessing of fellowship is among the richest present heritages of the Christian. It is much more than merely visiting together. In the fullest sense, Christian fellowship is a partnership, a community of interest in all the things which pertain to God and to his plan through Jesus for the salvation of both the church and the world. We are invited to be co-workers with God in his plan, and sweet is the fellowship and strong the tie that binds us together in this divine cause.—I Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor. 6:1

In our Golden Text, Paul is expressing his appreciation of the fellowship he enjoyed with the brethren at Philippi. This fellowship had been sweet from the very day it began, he writes. That was when he met Lydia, the seller of purple, and others, a little way outside the city of Philippi, at a place “where prayer was wont to be made.” (Acts 16:13) Lydia responded to the truth as there preached by Paul, and she opened her home for meetings and served as hostess to Paul and Silas.

Others accepted the truth, and the church at Philippi was organized in her home. Doubtless Paul had often reflected over that wonderful experience, and his joy increased as these dear ones continued faithful in the truth. The memory of them was an inspiration and encouragement to him during those dark days in a Roman prison, from which the epistle to them was written.

BOOK OF III JOHN—In this epistle, we have a most interesting sidelight, as it were, of practical Christian fellowship. It is addressed to “the well beloved Gaius,” whom John asserts that he truly loved. (See margin.) The apostle declares that he rejoiced greatly to learn that Gaius continued to walk in the truth and was faithful to it. “I have no greater joy,” John writes, “than to hear that my children walk in truth.” Here is an example of true, godlike joy. It is a rejoicing over the spiritual welfare of others.

John’s knowledge that Gaius continued to walk in the truth had come to him through brethren whom he had entertained and cared for in his home. Gaius had seen his privilege of being one of the “fellow-helpers to the truth” by caring for those who were devoting their time to the service of the Lord—those who had gone forth “for his name’s sake.” Gaius was evidently not in a position to go forth himself in the service of the truth but he gladly served as host to those who did enjoy that privilege.

Gaius’ hospitality and keen interest in the partnership of the Lord’s cause is highlighted by a reverse spirit which manifested itself in the ecclesia with which he evidently was associated. This comes to light also in the epistle. John says, “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not.” The purpose of John’s letter to the ecclesia apparently was to announce his intention of visiting the brethren and serving them, but Diotrephes opposed the visit, and, apparently, he had sufficient influence in the ecclesia to cause the majority to vote against receiving the Apostle John.

John reveals that in order to gain his point, Diotrephes resorted to “prating against us with malicious words.” Not only that, but in addition to influencing the ecclesia against welcoming the brethren officially as a church, he refused to have them in his own home. There are circumstances where such an attitude would be quite proper for a Christian. We have an example of this in John’s second epistle, where he admonishes the “elect lady” not to entertain those who are out of harmony with the truth, nor in any way to render them assistance. (II John 10,11) But this was not the case with John’s proposed visit to the ecclesia, of which Gaius and Diotrephes were members.

John identifies, and in no uncertain manner, the real motive of Diotrephes in trying to prevent the apostle from visiting the ecclesia. It was because he loved to have the pre-eminence among the brethren. This type of professed brother has existed throughout the entire age. They are to be found today. They like to feel that everyone in the class looks up to them as having the final authority in all that should be said and done, and they are quite willing to work against the best spiritual interests of the ecclesia in order to maintain a position of prominence and authority. They insist on being the “chief elder,” even though it prevents the church from having any other elders.

This attitude on the part of any professed brother tends to destroy good Christian fellowship. Brethren who have the proper viewpoint are glad to welcome others into their midst, and they rejoice when the brethren are benefited by the ministries of others. They recognize that the body of Christ is built up by that which every joint supplieth, and they are happy when the best interests of all the body members are being served. Thus does true Christian love operate toward the people of God.

QUESTIONS:

What is the wider meaning of the word fellowship?

What constitutes one of the greatest joys of all true Christians?

Are there circumstances under which an elder is warranted in using his influence to prevent a professed brother from visiting an ecclesia?

| Home Page | Table of Contents |