Christian Fellowship

1 John 1:3

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Fellowship happens when two or more people share in some experience. The apostle had shared experiences with Jesus and, as a result, had fellowship with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. He then writes this book so those who read it may share in those experiences and have fellowship with them.

Christian fellowship requires that we gather around the Word of God.

·       It is not a bunch of professing Christians going bowling together, although that might have some benefit[1]

·       It is not going out to eat with believers while enjoying a conversation about our favorite subject though that is quite pleasurable

Christian fellowship necessitates that those things that were

·       Seen

·       Heard and

·       Declared by the Apostles about Christ

be shared. Christian fellowship is around the Bible

Anything else, beneficial as it may be, is merely a good time.

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[1] There is nothing wrong with doing these things and I am in no way opposed to them. The distinction should be made though, so that real ministry happens. If we forget what is true fellowship, we might slip into a perceived form of ministry which is nothing more than a social gathering. If this goes on long enough, it is possible to forget what real ministry is and be satisfied just with the social aspect, no longer missing the spiritual.