Fellowship

Welcome to the Days of Praise podcast, a daily devotional by the Institute for Creation Research. Fellowship, and they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in the breaking of bread and in prayers, Acts two forty two. Much goes on in Christian churches today under the name of fellowship. Usually, this consists of coffee and donuts, church socials, or sports. As delightful as these functions may be, they should not be confused with biblical fellowship.

Nowhere in the New Testament do any of the Greek words translated "fellowship" imply fun times. Rather, they talk of, for example, the fellowship of the ministering to the saints as sacrificial service and financial aid. Elsewhere, Paul was thankful for the Philippian believers' fellowship in the gospel, for he knew that inasmuch as both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. This sort of fellowship may even bring persecution. We are to emulate Christ's humility and self-sacrificial love through the fellowship of the Spirit.

In some way known only partially to us, we have the privilege of knowing the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death, and even the communion of the blood and body of Christ. As we can see, his fellowship is serious business. As in our text and subsequent verses, fellowship should be accompanied by teaching, prayer, and ministry to the poor. This kind of fellowship will be in favor with all the people, and the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts two forty seven.

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We hope you'll start each day with days of praise.