The Fellowship of Christ
A Sunday Morning Exhortation
“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from
idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge
ye what I say. The cup of blessing which
we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the
communion of the body of Christ? For we
being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all
partakers of that one bread. Behold
For the sake
of giving some background we need to explain that in this passage, and in its
larger context the entire chapter, the Apostle Paul is exhorting the
Corinthians to flee from idolatry. And
in order to not be seduced by the entrapments of idolatry he advises them to
not even eat the food that is offered them if it had been dedicated to idol
worship so as to not disturb their conscious or state of mind as they ate. If they were not aware of the food’s source
then they were to eat freely (vs. 27), taking the natural benefit from the food
that it provided. In this we see that
spiritual issues are very much a state of the mind. As another scriptural
passage states “the flesh profiteth nothing”.
Paul gives two
striking examples in this passage to teach the point he was making about the
issue of idolatry. On one hand the
eating of meat dedicated to idols the other is the partaking of the bread and
wine that commemorate the blood and body of Christ. Though both are physical acts they both meant
nothing unless accompanied by a state of mind that was sincerely appreciative
and involved with what such “food” actually represented. As Paul continues to teach in the following
chapter regarding the Memorial table itself, “For
he that eateth and drinketh
unworthily, eateth and drinketh
damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” The “unworthily” as explained in I
Corinthians 11 was in reference to those who partook of the memorial emblems as
an action of feeding the natural desire for food rather then partaking
it in true remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice.
In I
Corinthians 10 Paul repeatedly uses a couple of Greek terms that are translated
by different words in the English that teach us an important lesson as it
relates to either our relationship to Christ or our relationship to idolatry or
sin in general. In verse 16 we see the
word communion used twice – “The cup of blessing which we bless, is
it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion
of the body of Christ?” The
Greek word for “communion” is koinonia, which is
often translated by the more familiar word “fellowship”. In verse 20 we read, “ I would not that ye should have fellowship (koinonia)
with devils”. The term “koinonia” (otherwise rendered
“fellowship” or “communion”) does not mean merely just some kind of
relationship but in its fullest understanding means “that which is held in
common”. Something has to be “held in
common” in order for the term to properly apply. We will speak more on that in a moment.
Also in this
passage we see the word “partake” or “partakers” used. Verse 17, regarding the body of Christ,
states “for we are all partakers of that
one bread”. The priests who ate the
meat of the animal sacrifices are told as being “partakers” of the altar –
knowing that the altar represented Christ.
[It is worth noting here that Aaron refrained from eating such meat when
Nadab and Abihu were killed
by God for offering strange fire. His
frame of mind, being distraught at the unfolding of events, was such that he
could not properly and sincerely “discern” the spiritual significance of the
altar while being emotionally distracted.
So it is evident that Aaron appreciated the holiness of the spiritual
importance of “partaking” of such meat dedicated to God. He was not capable at that time of
“discerning the Lord’s body” as it were and understood the serious
ramifications of partaking if he was not mentally prepared to do so, not
wanting to bring “damnation” upon himself.]
And further regarding this word “partake” on in verse 21 we read, “ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of
the table of devils.” The word
“partakers” comes from the Greek “metecho” and
carries the meaning of sharing.
So in
combining the words we have considered we see the idea of “of sharing those
things we have in common”. Such
commonality can either be based upon the sacrifice of Christ and all that it
pertains to or it can be a unity based upon idolatry and sin, but neither of
these opposing principles can be combined.
They are as opposite in their identity as black and white and as far
apart in their geographic location as north and south.
But what is
this “fellowship” and “sharing” as it is taught to us regarding the sacrifice
of Christ? First it needs to be
understood that communion or fellowship is much more then just an
association. Fellowship involves oneness
of mind, the walking together of those who are united in agreement upon vital
principles. Such fellowship, as Paul
demonstrates to us in the passage already read this morning,
can be for good or evil. We are called
to have fellowship, oneness of mind and purpose with Christ. The natural tendency of man, as was
demonstrated by the Children of Israel on many an occasion, is to have
fellowship with sin. In Ephesians 5: 11
we are commanded, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness”. So fellowship, or koinonea, can be
for good or bad. The idea that there can
be true fellowship or koinonea
without a oneness of mind and purpose is not
valid. The old proverb that “Birds of a
feather flock together” is very accurate in describing such commonality – it is
a natural law of nature that those with common biology, interests or objectives
naturally cling together. Fellowship is
not something that is forced but is a natural outgrowth of something much more
fundamental. Holding things in common
(whatever that might be) acts as a magnet in bringing together those of shared
understanding. If there is commonality
then there is fellowship. If there is a
commonalty to participate in the actions and desires of the flesh then there is
fellowship with the world, which brings many together under such terms. If there is a commonality of faith and
conviction in the Truth as it is in Jesus then there is a state of fellowship
in existence under such conditions. As
Paul states in verse 17 of 1st Corinthians 10, “For we being many
are one bread”.
Though the
breaking of bread was a part of such a “fellowship”, such commonality was not
limited to the breaking of bread alone.
Quoting from bro. Alex Kay in a pamphlet on “Unity” he stated, “Fellowship
comprises oneness of mind, communion, the walking together of those who are in
agreement on vital principles. It is a many faceted thing”.
There must be a common understanding of the Gospel or “The Things
Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ” first as a
foundation. Regarding the early
believers and their common faith that they had we are told that they “continued
stedfastly in the apostles
doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Building upon this foundation there must be
not only be a shared understanding of the Promises made by God regarding His
Plan but a shared understanding as what needs to be done to obtain the goal – united on not only where we are going but
how and what it will take to get there.
Referring back to our use of the “Birds of a feather” proverb, there are
many types of bird families that migrate south during the winter months. There is a specific geographic location that each
birds species will travel to every fall. But not only do they share the location as to
where they go they also share the same techniques on how they get there. They don’t merely take to the sky and somehow
arrive at the appropriate place but they have a distinctive route that is
embedded in their minds. And while they
travel they have the same techniques of flight that help the flock to make the
very rigorous and trying journey a success.
This example demonstrates to us the vital importance as to understanding
the meaning of fellowship, commonality of a desired goal and a shared understanding of the
techniques needed to make the goal attainable.
Regarding the
fellowship that we are so concerned with, which goes beyond the act of the
Memorial Service and in many ways precedes the act, the scriptures themselves
speak of fellowship in broader terms. That there is “the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord”,
“the fellowship of the ministering of the saints”, “the fellowship of
(Jesus’) sufferings.” The
Apostle John states, “that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly
our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son
Jesus Christ”. He continues on to
say, “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we
lie, and do not the truth: but is we walk in the light, as he is in the light,
we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of
Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Paul tells the Phillipian
believers that they are partakers with him in grace.
So as we
consider this passage back in 1st Corinthians 10 that speaks of the
partaking of the bread and cup of the Lord it is important for us to realize
that merely partaking of emblems is not fellowship unless preceded by a
commonality of faith and hope to God’s Truth and those things required of
us. It is a sharing of Truth, both in
belief and practice. Fellowship (having
things in common) must first exist in order for the partaking of the Memorial
table to carry its fullest meaning and benefit.
Unity with God and His Son first as well as commonality with those who
we partake. For those who would contend
that the “breaking of bread” is “only between ourselves
and God” this passage does much to dispel such a notion. The use of the word “koinonia” (or to have things in
common) does
show that we must have something in common with Christ and not with idolatry in
order for us to partake of the “cup of blessing”. But not only is fellowship with God and
Christ but as is stated in verse 17, “For we being many are one bread, and one body:
for we are all partakers of that one bread”. This no doubt has implications beyond just
the partaking of the Bread and Wine. But
the “breaking of bread” is the result of TRUE fellowship. It is related to fellowship as baptism is
related to belief in the gospel. Baptism
is the public evidence of inner conviction, and just as baptism is worthless
without first believing so is the breaking of bread without meaning if not
preceded by fellowship – fellowship with God and His Son, as well as with
each other. When we partake of
these emblems it is to be based upon a common belief and appreciation for what
the bread and cup represent. When we
partake we are partaking together. We
not only show our conviction and love for God providing a sacrifice for sin and
for Christ carrying out his role as the Redeemer for the race, but we
demonstrate our common hope, acceptance and appreciation for one another by
gathering together to jointly partake of the emblems. If such a thing is not the case then our
efforts in coming together to partake in such an activity is without
meaning and a mockery to the institution that has been established.
The fellowship of Christ is something that we hold in common, it is our fellowship and something that is to be carefully maintained. We are not to have “fellowship with idols” or in other words anything that corrupts a pure conviction and worship for the One True God. As we come together we do so not partaking of an act that stands alone by itself but is to be evidence of something more profound, a declaration of our commonality – our shared hope. And what should also be an appreciation for the glorious plan of redemption that we have been so very blessed to understand and be a part of. As it involves Christ and our relationship to one another we are told in 2nd Timothy 1:10, “ But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, Who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” It is this light that we wish to maintain in common understanding and which should be our hope to be joint partakers in the fellowship which is to come in the future Age.
A. Thomas