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THE HOLY SPIRIT AND CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND FELLOWSHIP 

TEXT{S}: Acts 2:41-47, Romans 15:1-32, Philippians 2:1-5,1st Cor 1:9-13, 1st John 1:3-7

M/VERSE: Acts 2:42“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers”

INTRODUCTION
 Fellowship is one of the essential and necessary parts of every religious activity and practice; for it enhances the relationship of the adherent of such religion among themselves, and Christian believers are encouraged strongly to have fellowship with each others as well: 1st John 1:3-4.
The need for building common love, mind, doctrine, ideas and goals among particular religious sects requires coming together which is maybe referred to as fellowship.
The concept of having fellowship with each other may not be alien to any religion but the main reason why it serves as the bedrock upon which every religious sect is described and identifies is passively ignored.
The purpose of this study is to know the meaning of fellowship from different Biblical sources, meaning of fellowship according to the scriptures, the purpose of fellowship as Christian believers and the role of the Holy Spirit in the act of having fellowship with each others.

FELLOWSHIP 
The word “Fellowship” both within and outside the bible has different meaning as stated below:
 i. The oxford advance learner’s dictionary is “a feeling of friendship between people who do things together or share an interest”

ii. The Hebrew word “Chaber” define fellowship as “having common or shared house, binding or joining and companionship”, The Pharisees were referred to as the Cheberim because they come together to share the scripture, the law and the table. Exodus 26:6, Proverbs 21:9, Eccles 9:4.

 iii. The Greek word “Koinonia” described fellowship as “contributory help, participation, sharing in, communion, Spiritual fellowship and fellowship in the spirit” : Philippians 2:1,Galatians 2:9,2nd Corinthians 8:4,2nd Corinthians 13:14

The New Testament affirmed strongly that fellowship is an important aspect of the Christian life, practice and doctrine, there are many description in the scripture to illustrate what fellowship is and purposed to achieve. The Biblical descriptions of Fellowship are stated as follows:

 i. Fellowship is described as a communion and it goes beyond sharing of bread alone: 1st Corinthians 11:24-34,2nd Corinthians 6:14, 2nd Corinthians 13:14

 ii. Fellowship as sharing of God’s blessing : Romans 15:29-10,1st Corinthians 10:16,

iii. Fellowship as sharing of Christ’s suffering: Philippians 3:10, Colossians 1:24

 iv. Fellowship as bearing one another’s burden and responsible completely for the sake of the people of God: Romans 15:1,30,Galatians 6:1-2,

 v. Fellowship as sharing of words: Galatians 6:6

 vi. Fellowship as financial contribution for the relief of the saint: Romans 15:26-27,2nd Corinthians 8:4-5,2nd Corinthians 9:13

 vii. Fellowship as constant relationship with the Holy Spirit: 2nd Corinthians 13:1 4

The afore mentioned are few description used for the concept of fellowship in the scripture, and the primary purpose of having fellowship with each other can be stated as:

 i. Edification of others in the word and Material support for each others: Romans 15:27, Galatians 2:9

ii. Fellowship encourage sharing of experiences among the saints: 1st Peters 5:1-4

 The difference between the fellowship acts of other religious sects and Christianity is the role of the Holy Spirit in their midst, every acts of the Christian worship and fellowship is dependent on the Holy Spirit and the purpose of such fellowship is  directed toward God. John 4:23-24

CONCLUSION 
A man who desires to have a constant fellowship with God and other Christian needs the Holy Spirit, the absence of the Holy Spirit in any fellowship will make it just another social or religious meeting which will lead nowhere.
The presence of the Holy Spirit in any Christian fellowship or gathering is the key to unlocking the access to the presence of God through worship.

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