Christian fellowship is vitally important for followers of Jesus Christ. At its core, Christian fellowship is about believers coming together to share their lives with one another and to mutually encourage each other in faith. Through fellowship, Christians experience the Lord’s presence in a powerful way (Matthew 18:20) and live out the biblical call to love one another (John 13:34-35). Here are some key reasons why fellowship is so important for Christians:
1. Fellowship helps us grow spiritually
When Christians gather together and open God’s Word, they are able to learn from one another and sharpen each other spiritually (Proverbs 27:17). Believers can share insights, discuss questions, and gain wisdom through the fellowship of other Christians. This kind of mutual edification helps Christians grow in spiritual maturity as followers of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:15-16).
2. Fellowship provides support and encouragement
Life as a Christian is not always easy. Christians face struggles, trials, and seasons of doubt just like anyone else. Through the fellowship of other believers, Christians can share their burdens with one another (Galatians 6:2), pray for each other (James 5:16), and provide encouragement in times of need (1 Thessalonians 5:11). This kind of support system is invaluable for helping Christians persevere in faith.
3. Fellowship creates a place of belonging
When Christians gather together in Christ’s name, there is a profound sense of belonging that occurs as believers are united together in the body of Christ (Romans 12:5). This provides a place of inclusion for Christians that the world cannot offer. Through fellowship, Christians experience the blessing of being part of God’s family. Believers are reminded that they are not alone in this world.
4. Fellowship enables us to practice “one another” commands
The New Testament contains over 50 “one another” passages – verses that command Christians to care for, serve, encourage, forgive, and pray for one another. True fellowship enables believers to live out these biblical “one anothers” such as bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), being kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32), greeting one another (Romans 16:16), and honoring one another above yourselves (Romans 12:10). Fellowship helps turn these commands into everyday reality.
5. Fellowship spurs us on to love and good deeds
Being part of a community of believers helps motivate Christians to increasingly live out their faith through acts of love and service. As Hebrews 10:24-25 says, meeting together enables believers to consider how to spur one another on toward love and good deeds. The fellowship of the church facilitates opportunities for Christians to serve and care for others – both within the church community and beyond.
6. Fellowship fosters spiritual gifts and use of talents
Every Christian has spiritual gifts and talents God intends them to use for building up His Church (1 Peter 4:10). But these gifts can only flourish through regular Christian fellowship. A believer might have the gift of leadership, for example, but need the fellowship of the church to exercise that gift. Strong fellowship allows Christians to discover their gifts and put them into practice for others.
7. Fellowship spreads the Gospel
When the church gathers together in spirited fellowship, this makes a powerful impression on nonbelievers. As Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” The love Christians demonstrate through genuine fellowship is a compelling witness for the Gospel. Fellowship equips Christians to reach outsiders for Christ through word and deed.
8. Fellowship brings unity in diversity
The book of Acts pictures the early church as a beautiful fellowship of believers from all walks of life – Jews and Gentiles, slaves and free people. This diversity could have caused division, but instead the Gospel brought incredible unity. Christian fellowship enables believers to lay aside differences and join together as one through the saving work of Christ (Galatians 3:28).
9. Fellowship ushers in God’s presence
Where two or three gather in the name of Jesus, He promises to be present in their midst (Matthew 18:20). There is a special blessing of God’s Spirit when Christians come together to fellowship around Christ’s word and His table. Believers experience the Lord’s nearness and power when they join as one Body to worship and commune with Him.
10. Fellowship is a witness to the world
When genuine love and community thrive among a congregation of believers, this catches the world’s attention. As Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Fellowship gives a powerful witness about Christ to unbelievers when they observe the love between brothers and sisters in Christ.
11. Fellowship practices dependence on God
Meeting together as Christians enables believers to pray for each other and call upon the Lord together. Jesus said where two or three are gathered, He is present (Matthew 18:20). There is power in joining together to depend on God. Believers can practice reliance on the Holy Spirit as they collectively acknowledge their need for God’s strength and renewal.
12. Fellowship multiplies our joy in Christ
The joy of the Christian life was meant to be shared among believers. Jesus describes it as a wellspring flowing from the inmost heart (John 7:38). This joy is multiplied exponentially when Christians fellowship together. Believers encourage one another, testify to God’s goodness, and rejoice in what He is doing – causing their joy to overflow even more.
13. Fellowship allows us to practice hospitality
Gathering as God’s people creates natural opportunities for hospitality. Christians can open their homes, provide meals, and make room for guests and newcomers. The early church set a powerful example of hospitality through fellowship in one another’s houses (Acts 2:46). Fellowshipping gives believers ways to live out biblical hospitality.
14. Fellowship models eternal community
The fellowship we experience now through the church gives us a glimpse of an even greater fellowship to come. The community we have as believers foreshadows the eternal communion we will share together in God’s presence. Our life together today reminds us of the lasting fellowship we will share in heaven (Revelation 7:9-10).
15. Fellowship shows the work of the Gospel
When people of different ages, races, economic classes and walks of life come together in genuine love and community, this displays the reality of the Gospel message. Only Jesus Christ can take people who once were far off and make them one new people through His blood (Ephesians 2:13-14). The unity of fellowship shows His Gospel is at work.
In summary, Christian fellowship is a biblically commanded practice (Hebrews 10:24-25) that is vital for the health, growth, and witness of God’s people. Gathering together as the Body of Christ enables believers to live out the “one anothers” of Scripture, exercise spiritual gifts, testify to God’s work in their lives, and experience the transforming power and presence of Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Fellowship is a fundamental part of what it means to be the Church.