Dictionary's definition of the word FELLOWSHIP is:

friendly association, especially with people who share one's interests;

looking for the fellowship (companionship) of friendly people;

community of (same) interest, activity, feeling, or experience;

a company of equals or friends;

the quality or state of being comradely;
meaningful communication for building trust and fellowship.

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The basic definition of Christian fellowship is that it is the act of meeting with those who possess the same general beliefs. It is the sharing of knowledge, trials and triumphs of life among those who are called and chosen of God. Such regular fellowship meetings are an essential element in a believer's spiritual growth and development.

The World English Dictionary states that fellowship is the act of people sharing activities, goals, interests, duties, trials, troubles and alike with one another in a group. Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible has six different possible interpretations of this word. Several basic elements to fellowship need to exist for it to be successful.

 

The first is that those who meet together should have things in common like beliefs (Acts 2:42), work (Nehemiah 4:1 - 23), faith (1Samuel 20:30 - 42), need (2Corinthians 8:1 - 15) and what they struggle against (Daniel 3:16 - 30).

 

Other areas of commonality necessary for fellowship include a common purpose (see Psalms 133:1), conviction (see 1Peter 3:8), and hope (Ephesians 4:4).
 

Another foundation in order to productively get together is in what is shared. Believers should share in the responsibility of helping others in the faith, who may lack the essentials of life.

"For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints" (2 Corinthians 8:3-4, Orthodox Study Bible).

They should also share in what it takes to preach the gospel to the world.

"I (the Apostle Paul) thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now" (Philippians 1:3-5, see also Galatians 2:9).

What should be also shared is the power of God's spirit to bring people together (Philippians 2:1).

 

Another element is that those who meet should all desire to walk in the light of God's word (1 John 1:7). All believers should share in what is called the gospel mystery, "... and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God  . . ." (Ephesians 3:9, OSB).

There are, of course, several other traits believers who fellowship together should share in but only a few are listed here.

The definition of fellowship, either as a noun or a verb, demonstrates who we are. It allows us to interact with others who share common beliefs and sentiments. It allows us to recognize our own faults and gives us the opportunity to share in the spiritual growth of others. Moreover, as the Bible confirms, this is highly pleasing in God's sight. We should practice this outstanding spiritual trait whenever we can.

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