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Articles
Fellowship Illustrated (Acts 11)
The eleventh chapter of Acts offers a unique look at different aspects of fellowship. The first part of the chapter primarily consists of Peter’s explanation and justification of the conversion of Cornelius in Acts 10. Peter’s report shows us that fellowship is available to everyone who would repent and turn to Jesus. At its core, fellowship is about enjoying salvation. However, the significance of biblical fellowship in the lives of Christians goes far beyond sharing a saved spiritual condition. The last part of Acts 11 illustrates for us how our fellowship ought to manifest itself in our daily lives.
Fellowship thrives on encouragement. When the Christians in Jerusalem heard about the new converts in Antioch, they sent Barnabas (the “Son of Encouragement,” Acts 4:36), to “encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;” (Acts 11:23). In the world we live in, Christians need constant encouragement to continue living faithfully. Temptations abound. Often times, the encouragement of a brother or sister in Christ makes all the difference.
We are also told that Barnabas “rejoiced” at the opportunity to encourage the Christians in Antioch when he saw their faith (v. 23). It’s hard to be an encourager with a bad attitude. People like Barnabas don’t just sit around waiting for an opportunity to encourage someone. Rather, they go out of their way to encourage those with whom they are in fellowship. Hebrews 10:24-25 tells Christians, “let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” It takes intentionality and a good attitude to be a good encourager. The better we are at encouraging one another, the stronger our bonds of fellowship will be.
Fellowship also involves sharing. Acts 11:28 tells of a prophet named Agabus who foretells of an upcoming famine. Look at the Christians’ response in Acts 11:29, “And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea.” When we are in fellowship, your burdens become my burdens, and my blessings become your blessings. Those who were blessed with the ability to help took on the burden of those less fortunate. Those burdened with a scarcity of resources were blessed by those who were able to contribute. This is what happens when Christians are in fellowship with one another.
While fellowship starts with sharing our mutual faith in Jesus Christ and being in a saved spiritual condition, genuine fellowship is demonstrated in more tangible ways. Christians share the highs and lows of life together. Romans 12:15 says “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” Such emotional responses must extend beyond the pew. Consider what Paul wrote in II Corinthians 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in an affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” Such fellowship is only possible with deep, personal relationships. These shared blessings and burdens of life are demonstrations of humble hearts that put the interests of those in their church family ahead of their own (Philippians 2:4).
It’s amazing to see the work of the Lord in the hearts and lives of His people. He has left us with a glorious church that shares the wonderful blessing of fellowship. The New Testament offers us some beautiful illustrations of fellowship enjoyed by the Christians in the first century. If we would just follow their example, and serve the Lord “with resolute heart” (Acts 11:23), then we, too, would provide an illustration of fellowship for others to follow.
