“Church Fellowship” really means “Monthly Potluck“, right?

If you grew up in an evangelical church, you were likely pitched that idea at some point. If you’re old enough, you might actually believe this statement to be true. (If so, keep reading!)

Surely church fellowship is far more than a monthly potluck! But then again, what is fellowship in the church really supposed to look like?

What steps can a church take to achieve fellowship? Or to become a church that is known for its fellowship?

Let’s start by looking at the first Fellowship in Acts 2:41-47.

“41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Now that’s definitely more than a potluck!

How did this authentic fellowship come about? The short answer is: “The Holy Spirit“, but let’s break it down a little further.

Step 1: Belief In Jesus

• Verse 41 states, “…those who received his word…”
• Verse 44 states,  “… all who believed were together…”
• And verse 47 states, “…those who were being saved.”

I guess the jig is up! If you don’t have Jesus, fellowship’s going to be really difficult. Which may trigger the question, “Is everyone in our church saved?” (Likely not…but that’s a whole other post for another day!)

Step 2: Baptism

Verse 41 states, “…those who received his word were baptized.” Once someone was baptised, their belief in Jesus wasn’t a secret. People could clearly see who was in and who was out.

Moreover, this is an obedience item aligned with the Great Commission. In Matthew 18:19 Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…”

Step 1, believe in Jesus. Step 2, act on that belief, obey Jesus’ command and get dunked!

Step 3: Devoted To Discipleship

Verse 42 states, “…they…” meaning those who had believed “…devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching…”

Clearly, there was a significant life change in these people! After their conversion, they were striving to know more about Jesus Christ. They were dedicated to become more like Jesus.

Again, we come back to the Great Commission: Jesus said, “Go therefore…make disciples of all nations…” (Mt. 18:19)

Step 4: Devoted To The Fellowship

Verse 42 states that they not only devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, but they also, “…devoted themselves to…the fellowship…”

Notice that I bolded the “the” in that verse.

Sometimes as Believers, we think that fellowship is something that will come about eventually. But that’s not the case in Acts 2.

THE Fellowship was something that these first Believers purposefully entered into. Definitely not something that just happened to them.

Same Jesus, Same Fellowship

Today has to be the same because Jesus doesn’t change.

So let’s make a collaborative effort; to stop trying to force fellowship into an event or a place, when it’s the commitment of the Believers to the Believers.

(1) Jesus, (2) Baptism, (3) Discipleship, (4) Fellowship!

Join the Conversation, Leave Your Thoughts

In Acts 2:41-47 we see authentic fellowship. How can this be obtained in the church today?