There is a strong biblical emphasis on the call God gives us to remain in fellowship with fellow believers, especially in the the New Testament. When Jesus established the early church, He established it on the pillars of relationship. Why is fellowship important to our faith?
Looking at the early church, Acts 2:42 says, "They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
Fellowship was more than a command to the first believers. It was a joyous delight to continue to meet with each other to spend quality time with believers.
Today God makes fellowship no less important, and calls us still to grow in the context of church community and fellowship. Here are three benefits we get from fellowship that will show us why it's important to remain in it.
Encouragement
Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Walking as a Christian can be discouraging at times with all the struggles and challenges that we might face. Just like one coal that's taken out of a pile of hot burning coals, Christians who separate from fellowship can burn out easily when not connected. But when we remain connected, we can easily receive encouragement from brothers and sisters who share the same faith as we do.
Fulfilling our call
Paul likens the fellowship of believers as a body with many parts and functions. 1 Corinthians 12:12 tells us, "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ."
Just like how a hand, eye or foot that is separate from a body can accomplish only so much, a Christian who is separate from the fellowship will find that its difficult to pursue God's call and purposes alone. We were meant to be with people who can partner, pray for, train and equip us, and point each other to Christ.
Worshipping God together
God places a premium on corporate worship as a means of honouring Him. Matthew 18:20 says, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." When we worship together, we don't just edify ourselves, but we also get to honour and glorify God together which is a privilege that we now all share because of what Jesus has done for us.
