1 John 1:3-7
3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
The Greek word koinonia is “fellowship” or “communion, partnership”- active participation in the ongoing ministry of Jesus Christ with the body of believers.
Fellowship is a result of proclamation of the gospel (1 John 1:3). Proclamation is not a passive, automatic thing (as if people will suddenly just understand the gospel and connect to the body of believers/church)- it’s an active, missional/incarnational verb! The word means “to bring tidings,” “proclaim” “announce.” It can be preaching and teaching, but also the exhibiting of the characteristics of Christ through love and service- Godward living.
Fellowship with other believers is a reflection of the Triune God. Most often, “you” in the New Testament is plural. We must guard against American individualism. Gospel transformation and life growth happens in the context of biblical community.
Not having a proper understanding of biblical fellowship can lead to one of two errors:
Error 1: Having believing friends only and no non-christian friends, a “holy huddle” and neglecting to hang out with non-believers. You should have deep relationships with other believers- this is fellowship. We are to have friendships with non-believers (i.e. Jesus was called “friend of sinners” and spent time with the marginalized).
Error 2: Close friends are non-believers and no deep relationship with believers (this is the danger for many disenchanted Christians who are not connected to a body of believers- the church).
2 Cor. 6:14
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Biblical fellowship: It’s important to be deeply involved and committed to a body of believers- church. This is where gospel transformation occurs: fellowship. We are also to relate well to non-believers- being missional.
1 Peter 2:12
Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Fellowship is what Wayne Grudem mentions as one of the “means of grace,”- the “activities within the church that God uses to give more grace to Christians” (p. 950, Systematic Theology).
A characteristic of fellowship is “complete joy” (1 John 1:4). This is delight and fulfillment which compels to proclaim the gospel our of sheer delight from fellowship we have with God and each other!
Gospel living results in action (1 John 1:6).
Due to sin, we have a broken relationship with God and each other, and attempt to reconcile on our own through works and poor substitutes for true biblical fellowship with God and each other.
Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
The sacrificial death of Christ on the cross, the substitutionary atonement brings redemption and restoration of our relationship with God and each other. Christ doesn’t just deal with the effects of sin, but sin itself.
In Summary:
Through Jesus Christ, we have true biblical fellowship with God.
Through Jesus Christ, we have true biblical fellowship with each other.
Fellowship with one another reflects the Triune God.
Fellowship with one another is a means of our sanctification.
The result is joy in our lives and our church as we serve one another.
The result is missional living so that non-believers will be blessed.
