The Manifold Wisdom Of God
Kingdom Fellowship
"truly our fellowship is with the Father
and with His Son Jesus Christ," 1 John 1'3.
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Kingdom fellowship came into being immediately following the arrival of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost when the first of Christ's Called-Out People joined the Apostles.
Fellowship is one of the basic things for all who have received Christ to be involved in. Here's how that came about:
On that Day "... there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven," Acts 2'5.
This international crowd had come to Jerusalem purposely to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost which was celebrated on the 50th day after the first ingathering of the harvest.
Significantly, it's also called the Feast of First Fruits. They were unaware, of course, that many of them would be the first fruits of a unique centuries-long harvest.
But, one thing to remember about these Jews is their background. They were there this Day because they had been brought up in the teachings of the Old Testament Law and the Prophets.
They witnessed and were shaken by Holy Spirit's arrival and the amazing phenomenon of the apostles speaking in languages they knew. So when Peter simply said: “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel" (Acts 2'16/Joel 2'28) they readily understood.
With that he got their attention. Then he went on to explain from their Scriptures about their Messiah. And he climaxed his explanation with this:
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ,” Acts 2'36.
"Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?'” (verse 37).
"Then Peter said to them,
'Repent, and let every one of you be immersed in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.'
And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, 'Be saved from this perverse generation'.
Then those who gladly received his word were immersed; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers'," Acts 2'37'42.
(Note: Although Peter said, "let all the house of Israel know assuredly", his words are not confined to Israel only. These things are also the basic understandings for all who receive Christ. These understandings, and more, are more fully conveyed in the Scriptures that follow on through to the end of the Book of Revelation.)
Jesus had conveyed His teachings to the apostles right up to His ascension, commanding them to teach others also. He assured them about any doubt they might have had regarding their ability to fulfil His wishes by saying: “... when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth," John 16'13.
So the Father sent the Holy Spirit and, under His leading, Peter spoke out confidently. The result was these newly-saved Believers being introduced to the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayers.
For today's Kingdom Believers pattern of continuing steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers still stands.
From the way the text is written fellowship is directly linked with the apostles' doctrine. The apostle Paul makes the point that Kingdom Fellowship is not something that just happens. He says:
"God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord," 1 Corinthians 1'9.
God's calls His children into fellowship. It's is no ordinary thing. It's in the Spirit.
WITH THE FATHER AND WITH HIS SON
The apostle John, who was there on the Day of Pentecost, conveys the essence of fellowship when he says:
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life.
The life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us.
That which we have seen and heard we declare to you that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the 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 Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin," 1 John 1'1-7.
Words to let dwell in your heart and meditate on.
KINGDOM "KOINONIA"
This fellowship is a wonderful phenomenon with various aspects. The New Testament Greek word is koinonia, and is also translated communion, communication, distribution, contribution, communication.
So it is in living out these aspects of fellowship that, whenever born again men and women gather together, they acknowledge their heavenly Father in words and actions of righteousness.
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"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with you all.
Amen,"
2 Corinthians 13'14.
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