Some have a hard time imagining the fellowship of saints with the church and local church membership. If we can ever make the switch in our minds and implement those changes, it is not that hard. It would mirror the same fellowship that existed in the first century.
First, we must recognize the difference that exists between first-century miraculous gifts that each member of the body used for the edification of the body. Today, the interdependence on each member who had some measure of the spirit and spiritual gifts is not duplicatable. Today, (1) All of us have access to the Word (2 Tim. 3:16). (2) All of us should seek to hold each other accountable (3) Each one of us, while having access to the word and being held accountable to study it, have various abilities and strengths that differ from one another. Recognize it and make use of it.
Second, the degree of interaction and participation in each other’s lives, according to the Scripture’s example, is very different than the interaction expected in church membership. People talk about being in the family of God when they describe church membership. They call each other “brother” and “sister.” Yet, the family has a natural feeling of acceptance and knowledge of one another that allows open communication without being offended. Family is where members feel comfortable “hanging out” with each other. There are exceptions to that rule, but when turmoil exists in homes, one or more parties need an attitude adjustment. Family members expect that one of them may just drop by for a while, sit down for a visit or small talk, and may be invited to share a meal while there. No one has to be invited before stopping by for a visit. The amount of fellowship is so much more than meeting two or three hours of week at the appointed times listed on a church building sign. One is a fellowship of the “church.” The other is the fellowship of local individual saints who are very much involved in each other’s lives. They are local individual saints instead of local churches. Once again, the called-out are individuals who are grouped into the cities and regions in which they lived, not in churches of which they were members.
Another difference is the sort of fellowship that church members have with each other versus the fellowship of individual saints. First, the service activities that include prayer, singing, studying, the observance of the Lord’s Supper, and a collection are said to be church activities, and the expectation of engaging in these activities together is within the context of a “church service” (another set of words that you will never see in the Bible). As a result, it is not normal for a saint to break out in song when meeting with another saint in their home. We may be taken off guard when someone chooses to pray before going to the garden to harvest the corn. Again, there are exceptions, but these are the standard rules of engagement by which most members live. Imagine a world where the activities done in church are done as a way of life every day that we engage with each other. It is exactly the meaning and application of Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:19.
The reason this is not popular and is rejected by a majority who hear it is because it demands too much time with each other. We do not typically want interference. We have a tight schedule that does not allow for such loose unscheduled visits. Besides, we have habits that are hidden in the privacy of our homes. We have movies that we want to watch that we could not watch if others were present. We have children who are unruly that would be an embarrassment if brethen were in our home. This is just part of it. The result of this change would cause many to drop off and never be seen, again. They would gladly go to church for an hour. If we think that’s better than nothing, we have defined the spiritual condition of church members.
Friends, think about what the churches have produced with these expected membership responsibilities. A final observation is that the fellowship of saints may not include a large number of people in one building, but those who are in fellowship are truly tied to one another spiritually. They are family. They pray often together. They sing to one another. They work together and hold each other accountable. They watch each other’s back and remind each other of God’s will for our lives. No one is mad or hurt. They love one another and expect the same honest treatment of one another. Why? They want to please God more than anything in life. They study the Word every chance they get. There is no greater joy than sharing their faith until the very end. This describes the fellowship of saints.