Communal association for the mutual benefit of those involved. In the OT the Sinai covenant binds together all Israelites into what is, ideally, a grand fellowship of mutual obligation and concern. In the NT, fellowship is the bond among Christians created by their common confession that Jesus is Lord. In Paul’s letters this fellowship is marked by the spiritual oneness effected by baptism and bestowal of the Spirit (
Gal 3:27-28;
1Cor 12). It is manifested by the gathered community at the Lord’s Supper (
1Cor 11:17-34) and characterized above all by self-giving love (
1Cor 13).
Gal 3:27-28
27As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.28There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is ... View more
1Cor 12
Spiritual Gifts
1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.2You know that when you were pagans, you were enticed ... View more
1Cor 11:17-34
Abuses at the Lord's Supper
17Now in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. ... View more
1Cor 13
The Gift of Love
1If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.2And if I have prophetic powe ... View more
