![]() ![]() ![]() Though many Christians seem uncomfortable with insisting that believers maintain unity over our various doctrinal distinctives, this is a necessary part of what it means to be Christian. Melanchthon clarified the three main principles of biblical Christian fellowship in his famous quote: “In essentials, unity in non-essentials, liberty in all things, charity.” Luther’s protégé was the great German educator and intellectual leader Philip Melanchthon. One of the most helpful understandings of biblical fellowship came from a close associate of Martin Luther, the man whose convictions led to the Reformation of the Christian church in the 1500s. Principles of Biblical Christian Fellowship This is especially true in a world such as ours, where there exists tremendous diversity in the beliefs and behaviors among those who call themselves Christians. Because of the importance of Christian fellowship, it is essential to distinguish biblical guidelines to govern our interactions with other professing believers. This fellowship produces our mutual cooperation in God’s worship, God’s work, and God’s will being done in the world. When those shared values are in place, genuine koinonia (biblical fellowship) occurs. Koinonia describes the unity of the Spirit that comes from Christians’ shared beliefs, convictions, and behaviors. Koinonia can be defined as “holding something in common” and is specifically used 20 times in the New Testament (e.g. The word fellowship is derived from the Greek word koinonia. Christian relationships enjoy biblical Christian fellowship. That’s because bonds between believers are capable of developing a degree of spiritual closeness that far surpasses the limitations of natural human friendships. The Bible gives these relationships a special distinction beyond mere friendship. As Christians, we have become brothers and sisters in the family of God through the blood of Christ. Our associations with those in the body of Christ are especially important. Simply put, relationships are the most important aspect of our lives. Beyond that, many of us have literally hundreds of other connections in the virtual world of social media. Each of us is constantly enriched by family and extended family, friends, and acquaintances. Think a moment about the people you know and the relationships you share. Mutual cooperation in God’s worship, God’s work, and God’s will being done in our midst. ![]()
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