Hello Kitchen Table Theology Family! We’re your hosts, Jen Denton, and Pastor Jeff Cranston. This is our second episode in a new series on the Church. The Doctrine of the Church is also known as the doctrine of Ecclesiology. And over the course of this series, we will delve into seven snapshots of what the New Testament teaches us about the church. The NT says that the Church is a flock, a fellowship, a body, a bride, a family, as God’s House, and a priesthood.

[01:37]  Fellowship 

• What do college football and fellowship have in common?
• The definition of fellowship; when you get to know other people because you're headed in the same direction 
• Unity in the church is not about being similar. We have unity because we are in Christ 

[11:36] Disunity in the Church 

• When Christians are divided are they tearing down the walls of the church? 
  • However you organize your church, a good structure should promote unity and harmony and downplayed differences

[16:59] Breaking Down the Meaning of Fellowship 

• Fellowship comes from the Greek word Koinonia the root simply meaning common 
  • While the Greeks placed an emphasis on the individual, they also believed that as an individual you lived by, and for the society
  • Fellowship means to share with someone in something 

[18:50] So What? 

• Is fellowship something that should stay within the four walls of the church?
• The love Christians have for one another can influence others toward faith in Jesus Christ
• Fellowship enables community prayer, congregational worship, church decision making, baptism, and communion  
  • Christian fellowship is absolutely essential to our spiritual growth, but many believers today wrongly don't recognize the importance of fellowship or local church involvement
• Final words from Jen and Pastor Jeff

Key Quotes:

“Fellowship is not just something the church is, it’s something the church does.” - Pastor Jeff Cranston 

“When we talk about unity, we have unity, because we're all saved in the church, by Christ, not because we all look alike, act alike, breathe alike, talk alike, or even dress alike.” - Pastor Jeff Cranston

“The love Christians have for one another can influence others toward faith in Jesus Christ. And that's all part of fellowship.” - Pastor Jeff Cranston  

“Many believers today wrongly don't recognize the importance of fellowship or local church involvement. But Christian fellowship is absolutely essential to our spiritual growth.” - Pastor Jeff Cranston 

Scripture Mentioned

• Acts 2:42
• Eph 4:3-4 
• Jude 1:3
• Titus 1:4 
• Hebrews 10: 24-25

Join the Conversation

We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today’s episode, email me at [email protected]

Visit my website jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church. 

Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston

Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!