Social life of a Christian
What is the result of people coming to believe in God and walking in the light?
1 John 1:6-7 – If we say that we have fellowship with him {God}, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. *
What is the main argument in favor of Christians having fellowship with one another?
Romans 12:5 – So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27 – For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. / [27] Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
What is the ultimate purpose of the body of Christ?
John 17:21 – That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
Who is acting unwisely according to Solomon the Wise?
Proverbs 18:1 – Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12 – Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. / [12] And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. **
Positives of fellowship
How does the Bible speak of unity among brethren?
Psalm 133:1, 3 – Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! / [3] As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. ***
How did Paul describe the diversity within the Christian family and the resulting growth toward unity?
Colossians 3:11, 13, 16 – Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. / [13] Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. / [16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Remark: See also 2 Timothy 2:2.
Why is fellowship important for a believer?
Hebrews 10:24-25 – And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
What effect does pastoral care have on the lives of Christians?
James 5:16 – Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
What are the other benefits of confessing your faults and struggles to another believer and asking for help?
Galatians 6:1-2 – Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Romans 12:13, 15 – Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. / [15] Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Christian fellowship in practice
How does the Bible describe the support network that is established among brethren in faith?
Acts 4:32 – And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Romans 12:10 – Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another …
Where and how often did the believers spend time together?
Acts 5:42 – And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
What four activities should such gatherings include?
Acts 2:42 – And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
By what means, in addition to manifesting his power directly, does Jesus choose to work in his church?
Acts 9:17 – 17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 9:37-38 – Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
How did Jesus want us to treat each other?
Matthew 20:25-28 – But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Remark: See also Galatians 5:13 and 1 Peter 4:10.
Footnotes
* In some translations, the phrase “we have fellowship one with another” can be misunderstood as “having fellowship with God” instead of “with other believers”. In 1 John 1:6, the claim of having fellowship with God is already addressed—and shown to be false if one walks in darkness. Therefore, v. 7 offers a contrast, presenting what is true if one does indeed walk in the light. If the phrase “we have fellowship one with another” were meant to reassert fellowship with God, it would be redundant. Instead, the natural reading of v. 7 shows a progression: Walking in the light (living in truth and obedience; a vertical fellowship) results in horizontal fellowship—believers united with one another in shared faith and love. Besides, the Greek phrase “μετ’ ἀλλήλων” (with one another) always refers to mutual relationships among humans in the New Testament, not between humans and God, further supporting this interpretation.
** While Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 is often rightly understood as referring to a family union (see v. 11), it can also clearly refer to the general strength found in unity. V. 12 is often interpreted to mean Christ as the third cord, but this interpretation is open to debate, and the verse could just mean a third human person in a community.
*** In ancient Hebrew culture, the concept of “brother” extended beyond immediate family to include a wider network of kinship, as well as friendship. See 2 Samuel 1:26 and Genesis 13:8 (Abraham and Lot were uncle and nephew, not biological brothers).
