Fellowship

THE PURPOSE OF FELLOWSHIP

    The fellowship of Christians together is very important, for it is in our unity together that... 

1. The Believer Is Encouraged And Grows in Christ

    "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong _ that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith" (Roman 1:11,12).

2. The World Comes To Know That Jesus Was Sent Of God

    "I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" (John 17:22,23).

CONDITIONS ON FELLOWSHIP

1. A Basic Commitment To One Another

     "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves" (Romans 12:10).

      Without a basic trust there can be no fellowship. The depth of fellowship will vary according to the depth of commitment. 

2. Our Commitment Must Be Based On 'Agape'

'Agape' is a one-way love, which loves 'inspite of,' not 'because of.' Such a commitment therefore will not be affected by the other person's inconsistent behavior. 

3. True Fellowship Is Christ-Centered

    Our fellowship with one another is founded in our common commitment to Christ. 

    ...And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ"

Walking in The Light

Our fellowship embraces the need to be open, honest and truthful with another. This at times may means:

    

   a. Confessing Our Own Sins To Others, Or Lovingly Covering Another's Sin. "If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by truth. 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, purifies us from every sin”