The Witness of Fellowship

Christian fellowship is about community, togetherness in love, doing some Christian life together. We see this beautifully illustrated among the earliest Christ-followers (i.e. Acts 2:42-47). Any group of people can socialize but Christ-followers are to fellowship with one another and such fellowship is not just for the believers’ benefit; it can be a life-impacting witness of the love of Christ.  

It was “Christian fellowship” that brought the local man, John Bunyan, the future writer of Pilgrim’s Progress, to Christ. In his book Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners, he wrote about being a worldly and lost young man who was first spiritually drawn to Christ by overhearing the God-centered conversation of a group of local women enjoying sweet Christian fellowship.

..their talk and discourse went with me; for I was greatly affected with their words..

Therefore I should often make it my business to be going again and again into the company of these poor people, for I could not stay away..

(John Bunyan, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners; Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1986; p29-30.)

Christians, let’s pursue opportunities to deepen our fellowship with one another in Christ and also, may we recognize opportunities to be the salt and light in Christ witness in this world Christ says we are (Mt. 5:13-16). For example, we can invite nonbelievers to certain fellowship gatherings and/or we can gather in public places near where strangers and nonbelievers gather. As we are living life with fellow believers, may we often have conversations about the things of God, testimonies of transformed lives in Christ, use our Bibles openly, pray aloud and minister to one another and may such activities be a powerful witness to the world that Christ is alive, working in and through His people.

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

John 13:35 ESV

What do you think about the witness of fellowship? 

Mike