KOINONIA – Fellowship
Koinonia is the Greek word that describes much of the fellowship of the New Testament church. It describes both what we are and what we do. This New Testament fellowship is a discipline, as well as that which arises out of and is enriched by all the other disciplines. Fellowship, koinonia, is of primary importance, not only in the life of the believer, but is of vital importance to the life of Christ’s body, the church.
In Acts 2 the church is born with over 3,ooo baptized believers. They began meeting together, having fellowship, koinonia, in four areas according to Acts 2:42: the apostle’s doctrine, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer. What was the koinonia of these activities?
The basic idea of koinonia is a joint participation, sharing, having something is common, communion, community, intimacy. It is important to note that the early church devoted themselves to this bond that they had together in Christ. Their intent was to be together, to share on an intimate basis the life they had as followers of Jesus. Below are some areas they, and we, share together.
KOINONIA IN MATERIAL THINGS - Romans 15:26,27 (contribution); 2 Cor.8:4 (fellowship); 2 Cor. 9:1 (distribution); Gal. 6:6 (communicate with); Phil. 4:15 (communicated).
KOINONIA IN SUFFERING - Phil.3:10 (fellowship); 1 Peter 4:13 (partakers)
KOINONIA IN THE INCARNATION OF CHRIST - Hebrews 2:14 shows that Christ became a joint participant with us when He took on a human body
KOINONIA AT THE LORD’S TABLE - 1 Cor. 10:16 (communion with the body and blood of Christ)
KOINONIA IN SPREADING THE GOSPEL – Gal.2:6-9 (right hands of fellowship indicating joint participation)
KOINONIA IN SALVATION – 2 Peter 1:4 (partakers)
KOINONIA IN THE HOLY SPIRIT – 2 Cor. 13:14 & Phil 2:1 (joint participation of the believer and the Holy Spirit)
KOINONIA IN A COMMON EFFORT – Luke 5:10 (partners in a fishing business)
The more the believer discovers the salvation common to all other believers, the more fellowship, joint participation and intimacy occurs. The disciplines all work together to strengthen this bond, this communion we have as partakers together of the grace of God.
Thanks to Grace Notes Materials for some of this presentation.
