The popular idea that fellowship is simply sharing breakfast with
another person in a friendly atmosphere, implies human initiative and
creativity. Such a definition cuts the very heart and source out of
the meaning of the word by merely externalizing the concept.
(14.) Werner Elert in his study of Eucharist and Church Fellowship in
the First Four Centuries traces this popular understanding of
fellowship back to the days of 19th century theologian Friedrich
Schleiermacher. Schleiermacher writes, “The church at all events is a
fellowship created by the voluntary actions of men and only through
these does it continue to exist.” Dr. Elert criticizes that remark
when he says, “The concept of fellowship which is here said to
characterize the Church does not derive from the nature of the Church,
but the nature of the Church is derived from the concept of
fellowship.” The consequence of such a view results in a view of
fellowship as “a matter about which men are free to make their own
arrangements depending on the good or ill will of those concerned.”
Elert spells out how Luther insisted that fellowship means “using,
enjoying, or having part in a common thing.” Fellowship is not a
matter of human arrangement, nor do people have fellowship with each
other simply because they want to. Fellowship is a gift of God and
comes into existence solely as a result of His initiative and activity
through the Means of Grace. Those people who are brought into the
fellowship of the Triune God also become partners with all the other
saints, as the letter to Ephesians so aptly states, “This mystery is
that through the Gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel,
members together of one body, and sharers togethir in the promise in
Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 3:6 NIV). While fellowship or partnership is
primarily a vertical relationship created and nourished by God
Himself, nevertheless those united with Christ will manifest the unity
which has already been given them by the Spirit and join hands in
proclaiming and preserving the Gospel. Ralph P. Martin in the Tyndale
Commentary Series, quoting J. Muller, says that the “Philippians
indicated the reality of their partnership in the Gospel not by ‘a
quiet enjoyment of it, but (by) a keen activity in the interest of
it.’ These words share the twofold meaning of koinonia. There is the
unity which Christians have with Jesus Christ by faith in Him. There
is also a desire from these same people to express this unity with
others and to join their hands in work “before the night comes when
no man can work” (John 9:4).
1986 ELS Synod Report, p. 44-45
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