Potluck, barbecue, light refreshment–these are generally words that are lumped in together with the word Fellowship. When I was younger I took it with a grain of salt, and I decided that fellowship=food, fun and friends.

Looking back I realize a lot of things I misunderstood, but O how I wish I had come to grips with what fellowship truly is. Let’s look into this wonderful gift God has given Christians.

Acts 2:42 is the main verse I would like to drive from: And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

There were 4 things that the early believers at this point were devoted to. First came the teaching, which one of the two focuses that the apostles wanted to have in Acts 6. Then we see the word fellowship (κοινωνίᾳ used mostly). This word is found only 9 times (in several different Greek words translated fellowship) in the New Testament. Then of course we see breaking of bread (which I see as referring to the Lord’s supper and not a church picnic!). Then following breaking of bread we see that praying is also something they devoted themselves to.

Fellowship was something they were devoted to. What does that mean? How was it acted out? How can we have a devotion to fellowship in our churches? I’m not saying that fellowship can’t happen if it’s a potluck meal after church. But I feel there is a deeper fellowship that the Bible is expressing.

I would love some discussion on this whether it’s email, facebook or comments. Comments are most helpful so others can see and discuss as well.