The document discusses the role of strong Christian fellowship in the early church based on accounts from Acts. It describes how: 1) The first church in Acts 2 devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, communion, and prayer, showing a saved, Christ-centered, and praying church. 2) They shared possessions and ate together daily, showing a sharing, awe-inspiring church where miracles occurred. 3) Their unity, joy, and daily worship attracted others, and the Lord added to their numbers daily, showing an attractive and growing church. Strong fellowship through sharing, worship, and community strengthened the early church and allowed it to impact others.

1. TITLE: The role of strong Christian
fellowship in a growing Church
ELVIS AARON AMENYITOR

2. Scripture Acts 2: 42-47
The First Christian Fellowship Acts 2: 42
– 47 They devoted themselves to the
apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship,
to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
(Acts 2:42)

3. Introduction First local church
Initial “believers” on whom the Holy Spirit came on
Pentecost – Plus, portion of 3000 who were saved
through Peter’s sermon, who lived in Jerusalem God’s
ideal; new born church in its prime – Purity of
devotion to the risen Lord – Unmatched in succeeding
generations

4. What does Fellowship mean?
Strong’s – κοινωνία
• To share in
• A partnership
 A Companionship
 A Stewardship

5. Read: 1 Corinthians 1:9-10
Fellowship (like unity) involves . . .
a. Speaking the same thing.
b. Being perfectly joined together.
c. Having the same mind.
d. Having the same judgment.

6. . Implications-
–Fellowship is the practical application of those actions and
attitudes which are unique to the Christian relationship.
It is more than just words: “We are in fellowship.”
Fellowship is an important part of our faith. Coming together
to support one another is an experience that allows us to
learn, gain strength, and show the world exactly what God is.

7. BASIS–WITH WHOM CAN WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP?
1. 1 John 1:3-7
2. Fellowship must be first and foremost vertical–with
the Father, his Son, and the Holy Spirit.
 1) Walking in the light insures our fellowship with God.
 2) John’s argument is that God is light, and if we walk
in the light, we walk with God.

8. BASIS–WITH WHOM CAN WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP?
3) Paul informs us that when we partake of the Lord’s supper,
we have fellowship with the body and blood of Christ–1
Corinthians 10:16
4) He wants the fellowship of the Holy Spirit to be upon all
Christians 2 Corinthians 13:14 “The grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy
Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”

9. As a result, fellowship is horizontal–with one
another, with Christians.
Paul argues in Philippians 2:1-2 that fellowship with
other Christians (horizontal fellowship) is dependent
upon fellowship with the Holy Spirit (vertical
fellowship)
2) We notice in Acts 2:41 that a glad reception of the
word and obedience to it was prerequisite to Christian
fellowship

10. Overview Three dimension of the first local
church
– Spiritual duties – v. 42
– Spiritual character – vv. 43 – 47a
– Spiritual impact – v. 47b

11. Spiritual Duties
Spiritual Duties (v. 42) It was a fellowshipping church
– Fellowship is the spiritual duty of believers to
stimulate each other to holiness and faithfulness
– Koinonia (fellowship) – “partnership” or “sharing” –
All members of the universal church are to be actively
and intimately involved in local assemblies

12. Fellowship Gives Us a Picture of God
Fellowship Gives Us a Picture of God
Each of us together shows all of God's graces to the world. No one is
perfect. We all sin, but each of us has a purpose here on Earth to show
aspects of God to those around us. Each of us has been given
specific spiritual gifts.
 When we come together in fellowship, it's like us as a whole
demonstrating God. Think of it like a cake. You need the flour, sugar, eggs,
oil, and more to make a cake. The eggs will never be the flour. None of
them make up the cake alone. Yet together, all those ingredients make a
delicious cake. It is like that will fellowship. All of us together show the glory
of God.

13. Spiritual Character (vv. 43-47a) It was a sharing
church
Spiritual Character (vv. 43-47a) It was a sharing
church – All the believers were together and had
everything in common. Selling their possessions and
goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every
day they continued to meet together in the temple
courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate
together – They possessed both spiritual unity and
practical oneness –”

14. Romans 12:4-6
Romans 12:4-6 "For just as each of us has one body with
many members, and these members do not all have the
same function, so in Christ, we though many, form one
body, and each member belongs to all the others. We
have different gifts, according to the grace given to each
of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in
accordance with your faith." (NIV)

15. Fellowship Makes Us Stronger
Fellowship Makes Us Stronger
No matter where we are in our faith, fellowship provides us with strength.
Being around other believers gives us the chance to learn and grow in our
faith. It demonstrates to us why we believe and sometimes is the excellent
food for our souls. It's great to be out in the world evangelizing to others,
but it can easily make us hard and eat away at our strength.
When we deal with a hard-hearted world, it can become easy to fall into
that hard-heartedness and question our beliefs. It's always good to spend
some time in fellowship so that we remember that God makes us strong.

16. Matthew 18:19-20
Matthew 18:19-20 “Again, truly I tell you that if
two of you on earth agree about anything
they ask for, it will be done for them by my
Father in heaven. For where two or three
gather in my name, there am I with
them.” (NIV)

17. Fellowship Provides Encouragement
We all have bad moments. Whether it's the loss of a loved one, a failed
exam, money problems, or even a crisis of faith, we can find ourselves
down. If we go too low, it can lead to anger and a feeling of
disillusionment with God. Yet these low times are why fellowship is
important.
 Spending tie with other believers can often lift us up a little bit. They
help us to keep our eyes on God.
 God also works through them to provide us what we need in darker
times. Coming together with others can aid in our healing process and
give us the encouragement to move forward.

18. Hebrews 10:24-25
Hebrews 10:24-25 "Let us think of ways to
motivate one another to acts of love and good
works. And let us not neglect our meeting
together, as some people do, but encourage
one another, especially now that the day of his
return is drawing near." (NLT)

19. Fellowship Reminds Us We're Not Alone
Fellowship Reminds Us We're Not Alone
Coming together with other believers in worship and conversation helps to
remind us that we are not alone in this world. There are believers
everywhere. It's amazing that no matter where you are in the world when
you meet another believer, it's like you suddenly feel at home.
That's why God made fellowship so important. He wanted us to come
together so that we always know we're not alone. Fellowship allows us to
build those lasting relationships so we're never by ourselves in the world.

20. 1 Corinthians 12:21
1 Corinthians 12:21 "The eye can never say to
the hand, 'I don’t need you.' The head can’t say
to the feet, 'I don’t need you.'" (NLT)

21. Fellowship Helps Us Grow
Fellowship Helps Us Grow
Coming together is a great way for each of us to grow in our
faith. Reading our Bibles and praying are great ways to get closer
to God, but each of us has important lessons to impart to one
another.
 When we come together in fellowship, we teach each other things.
God gives us a gift of learning and growing when we come
together in fellowship we show each other how to live as God
wants us to live, and how to walk in His footsteps.

22. 1 Corinthians 14:26
1 Corinthians 14:26 "Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s
summarize. When you meet together, one will sing,
another will teach, another will tell some special
revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues,
and another will interpret what is said. But everything
that is done must strengthen all of you." (NLT)

23. Spiritual Duties
Spiritual Duties (v. 42) It was a saved church
–They devoted themselves – “They” – 3,000 who confessed
Christ and were baptized in verse 41
– Showed genuineness of faith by “devoting themselves”
– Despite hate, ridicule, and persecution, they remained
faithful Mark of genuine salvation
– John 8:31: “If you abide in my word, they you are truly
disciples of mine.”

24. Spiritual Character (vv. 43-47a) It was a sharing
church
All believers were together Not communal living Family, not the
commune, is the basic social unit in God’s design – Personal
property was sold as anyone might have need Indicative of
generosity; not a commune life – Sharing in spiritual benefits and
ministry also Every day they continued to meet together in the
temple courts – Fellowship in homes as well as worship in the
temples They broke bread together in their home and ate together
– 1 Peter 4:9 – “Be hospitable to one another without complaint

25. BARRIERS–WITH WHOM CAN WE NOT HAVE
FELLOWSHIP?
 1. The Christian may not have fellowship with the immoral man–1 Corinthians 5:9-
13
 2. The Christian may not have fellowship with one who does not walk after the
apostolic traditions–2 Thessalonians 3:6
 3. The Christian may not have fellowship with one who causes division–Romans
16:17
 4. The Christian may not have fellowship with unbelievers–2 Corinthians 6:14-18
 5. Finally, the Christian may not have fellowship with any work of darkness–
Ephesians 3:11

26. Spiritual Duties (v. 42) It was a Christ-centered
church
Spiritual Duties (v. 42) It was a Christ-centered church – to the breaking of
bread – Fellowship was symbolized by obedience to the spiritual duty of
the breaking of bread Celebration of Communion, the Lord’s Supper
– In Communion, all believers meet on common ground at the foot of the
cross – all are sinners saved by the grace of God in Christ
– Communion symbolizes the unity of believers 1 Cor. 10:16-17 – “Is not the
cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the
bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ? Since there is one
bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread

27. Spiritual Duties (v. 42) It was a praying church
 Spiritual Duties (v. 42) It was a praying church – and to
prayer – Eagerly and persistently engaged in the central
duty of prayer Not only individual members but the
church corporately
– Prayer is the slender nerve that moves the muscles of
omnipotence – John 14:13-14 – “Whatever you ask in my
name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in
the Son.”

28. Spiritual Character (vv. 43-47a) It was an awe-
inspiring church
 Spiritual Character (vv. 43-47a) It was an awe-inspiring church – Everyone was
filled with awe – Awe – feeling produced when you realize God is near –
Everyone – inside and outside the church – Not awed by the church building,
programs, or human abilities; but by the supernatural character of its life
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were
done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in
common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had
need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They
broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
praising God (Acts 2:43-47a)

29. Spiritual Character (vv. 43-47a) It was a
miraculous church
 Spiritual Character (vv. 43-47a) It was a miraculous church – and
many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles –
Wonders and signs were designed to attract attention and point
to spiritual truths – God used miracles to confirm the apostles
were indeed His messengers Age of miracles has passed
Apostolic age has passed – apostles are no longer alive The
canon of Scripture is complete – The Bible No longer need
miracles to confirm a person speaks for God; compare his
teaching with God’s Word in the Bible

30. Spiritual Character (vv. 43-47a) It was a joyful
church
Spiritual Character (vv. 43-47a) It was a joyful church –
with glad and sincere hearts, praising God – A unified,
miraculous, sharing church will also be a joyful church
One key reason for joy was their sincere hearts –
Praising God also produced joy Reciting his wonderful
works and attributes Goal of the first fellowship was to
exalt the Lord; that produced true happiness

31. Spiritual Impact (v. 47b) They were an attractive
church
 Spiritual Impact (v. 47b) They were an attractive church – and enjoying the
favor of all the people – Their duties and character granted them the favor
of all the people People could see their transformed lives – Went to the
temple every day – Open about their faith – Their unity was an answer to
Jesus’ high priestly prayer “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you
are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may
believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:21) And enjoying the favor of all the
people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being
saved. (Acts 2:47b)

32. Spiritual Impact (v. 47b) They were a growing
church
 Spiritual Impact (v. 47b) They were a growing church – And the
Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved –
Effective evangelism was the ultimate impact of the first
fellowship’s spiritual duties and character – God is sovereign in
salvation – the Lord added to the church those who were being
saved – True evangelism flows from the life of a healthy church
People were being saved as they observed the daily conduct of
the believers

33. Expressions of Fellowship
• Acts 2:42 – “And they continued steadfastly in the
apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of
bread, and in prayers”
• Phil. 1:3-6 – “Fellowship in the Gospel” •
 1 John 1:3 – “that you also may have fellowship with us;
and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His
Son Jesus Christ.
 And these things we write to you that your joy may be
full.