“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42; NKJV). This verse describes the early church, or we could call it the normal church. Fellowship, in our verse above, is the Greek word, koinonia. This is an intimate form of communication amongst Christians and with God, engendered by the Holy Spirit. Christian fellowship is an all-consuming spiritual union and relationship with God and brothers and sisters in the body of Christ, or church. The fellowship amongst Christians in the early church was characterized by an emphasis on the teaching by the apostles (the word), prayer, praise, holy communion, meeting together, sharing meals, taking care of each other’s needs and a great sense of unity (Acts 2:42-47a).
Many other scriptures in the New Testament also describe the fellowship of the early or normal church. As Christians, we are all baptized into the church by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:13), we are all important. The apostle Paul exhorted us to be: “knit together in love” (Col 2:2a; NKJV); that is God’s unconditional love, but he also encouraged us to share affection and brotherly love with each other (Rom 12:10). We are to exhort, encourage and call each other on in our spiritual walk (Heb 3:13). In addition, as already noted above, we must: “do good to all, especially those who are of the household of faith” (Gal 6:10; NKJV). Just like in the early church, as we all become this same normal church today, we will see the Lord: “add to it daily those who are being saved” (Acts 2:47b). Amen!