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Fellowship that Touches God’s Heart

Acts 2:42-47 records the powerful work of the Holy Spirit working in and through the Body of Christ, thus setting the heartbeat of the church in this dispensation, “They devoted themselves to… fellowship…”

An un-Biblical expectation in fellowship is one of the key reasons many find themselves roaming from church to church and changing their partnerships in ministry. Nowhere in the New Testament does any Greek words translated “fellowship” imply fun times.

Studying Acts 2:42-47, “The Fellowship of the Believers” reveals to us that true “fellowship” was experienced because the Body of Christ were “devoted” to the “apostles teachings” to “prayer” and joining together to remember what Christ did for them on the Cross of Calvary. (Acts 2:24; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:17-34) “Fellowship” (koingnial) means to share something which involves participation. The practical application is sharing material goods, (Acts 2:45) ministering together to meet the needs of the Body of Christ, (2 Corinthians 8:4) and participating as the Lord makes the way in fulfilling “The Great Commission.” (Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:8; Philippians 1:5)

The NFL knows a fellowship of its own. This well known organization spends a huge amount of money recruiting, building facilities for both training athletes and spectators. Coaches, organizations and players sacrifice a great deal time and strength for the sport of football. Teams spend a great deal of time studying play books, watching film and practicing together. Players often play while hurting and fans are loyal. This is why the stadiums are filled and the Super Bowl game is one of the most spectacular events of the year. As a matter of fact the Green Bay Packers have a video that this tongue-in-check phrase, “Thousands of places of worship will be empty as the faithful go to worship at the Super Dome.” Some football franchises have boasted of shutting churches down on Sunday nights.

When the church has Biblical fellowship involving prayerful studying God’s Word before doing, joining together in prayer on a Biblical truth, working together to meet needs, sacrificing time, strength, finances, with everyone involved exercising their spiritual gifts for the good of Jesus Christ, thousands will be added to the church. Acts 2:41 says, “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand was added to their number that day.” Luke in writing about the “Fellowship for the Believers” wrote, “…praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those being saved.” (Acts 2:47)

Could it be, is possible, when the Body of Christ has Biblical “fellowship,” that touches the heart of God, Christians devoted to the Lord may enjoy shutting down sports events on Sunday nights?