#COMMUNION

Daily Devotionals

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another just as you also are doing… The word communion, does not appear in the Resived Standard Version except in marginal notes but the idea is prevalent in the New Testament. The Greek koinonia are used many times. Modern translations prefer fellowship, participation, and sharing. The concept of communion in its traditional sense primarily bears a Christian connotation, beginning with Jesus, and the Twelve. Its precursors may be seen, however, in the family life, tribal life, and religious life of Israel, particularly in feasts like the Passover. Among early Christians there were many acts of communion, most of which became cherished heritage in the church. The Church, expresses its fellowship, through many avenues, assembling, offering, praying, praising, and working together. An essential nature of the Church is growth, breaking over old boundaries and founding new missions and churches, which is done by cooperative effort. Paul explained the means of bringing former aliens into the church fellowship. When they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised; only they would have us remember the poor, which very thing I was eager to do. Each new church became a partner in promoting the kingdom. To the Philippians Paul wrote, I am thankful for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Whether mother church or mission church, the life and effectiveness of the local church is dependent on the strength of its fellowship. It is said of the Early Church in Jerusalem that those who had separated themselves from this crooked generation; and who were baptized and were added to the Church, devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.