Role of Fellowship in Christian Sanctification Process
The concept of fellowship plays a significant role in the Christian sanctification process. Sanctification, as described by Easton's Bible Dictionary, is "the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration" [1]. Fellowship is integral to this process, as it involves participation in a community of believers.
In the New Testament, fellowship is described as a key aspect of the early Christian community. According to Tyndale House's commentary on Acts 2:42, the early Christians were devoted to "the apostolic teaching of God's Word, fellowship, sharing, joy, and praise" [5]. This fellowship is not just a social gathering but a deep, spiritual connection among believers, characterized by mutual participation in life together, as denoted by the Greek term "koinōnia" [5].
The role of fellowship in sanctification is rooted in biblical teachings. John Chrysostom, an Eastern Orthodox father, notes that sanctification is facilitated through the community's collective relationship with God, emphasizing that believers are sanctified through the "loving-kindness of God" [3]. Similarly, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's commentary on 1 Peter 3:15 highlights the importance of "sanctifying Christ as Lord" in one's heart, which is closely tied to the concept of fellowship [4].
Fellowship is also linked to the believer's walk with God. According to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's commentary on 1 John 1:7, walking in the light — the element in which God exists — is a test of fellowship with Him. This implies that fellowship is not just a human connection but a divine participation, where believers are united with God and with one another [6].
The significance of fellowship in sanctification is further underscored by its connection to the Gospel. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's commentary on Philippians 1:5 notes that the Philippian believers' "fellowship in the Gospel" was a ground for the apostle's thanksgiving, highlighting the communal aspect of participating in the Gospel [7].
In the view of various Christian traditions, fellowship is essential for the sanctification process. It is through this communal participation that believers are sanctified, grow in their faith, and are transformed into the likeness of Christ. As Torrey's Topical Textbook states, sanctification is "separation to the service of God" and is effected by God through the Holy Spirit [2]. Fellowship is a vital component of this process, as it provides the context in which believers can grow, serve, and be sanctified together.
The communal aspect of sanctification is thus deeply rooted in biblical teachings and is a common thread across various Christian traditions. The early Christian community's devotion to fellowship, as described in Acts 2:42, serves as a model for understanding the role of fellowship in the sanctification process [5].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sanctification — Is separation to the service of God -- Ps 4:3; 2Co 6:17. Effected by God. -- Eze 37:28; 1Th 5:23; Jude 1:1. Christ. -- Heb 2:11; 13:12. The Holy Spirit. -- Ro 15:16; 1Co 6:11. In Christ -- 1Co 1:2. Through the atonement of Christ -- Heb 10:10; 13:12. Through the word of God -- Joh 17:17,19; Eph 5:26. Christ made, of God, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Saints elected to salvation through -- 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2. All saints are in a state of -- Ac 20:32; 26:18; 1Co 6:11. The Church made glorious by -- Eph 5:26,27. Should lead to Mortification of sin. -- 1Th 4:3,4. Ho”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: names of men he findeth no place for. But what is Sanctification? The Laver, the Purification. For he reminds them of their own uncleanness, from which he had freed them; and so persuades them to lowliness of mind; for not by their own good deeds, but by the loving-kindness of God, had they been sanctified. “Called to be Saints.” For even this, to be saved by faith, is not saith he, of yourselves; for ye did not first draw near, but were called; so that not even this small matter is yours altogether. However, though you had drawn near, accountabl”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 3:15: sanctify--hallow; honor as holy, enshrining Him in your hearts. So in the Lord's Prayer, Mat 6:9. God's holiness is thus glorified in our hearts as the dwelling-place of His Spirit. the Lord God--The oldest manuscripts read "Christ." Translate, "Sanctify Christ as Lord." and--Greek, "but," or "moreover." Besides this inward sanctification of God in the heart, be also ready always to give, &c. answer--an apologetic answer defending your faith. to every man that asketh you--The last words limit the universality of the "always"; not to a roller, ”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 2:42: 2:42-47 Luke makes a clear connection between personal faith and membership in the Christian community. Life in this new community involved devotion to the apostolic teaching of God’s Word, fellowship, sharing, joy, and praise, and it resulted in the Lord’s continuing to add to their number those who were being saved. 2:42 fellowship: Greek koinōnia, a close mutual relationship and participation in life together. • At this stage, prayer probably included participation in the formal prayers of the Temple (see 3:1).”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:7: Compare Eph 5:8, Eph 5:11-14. "WE WALK"; "God is (essentially in His very nature as 'the light,' Jo1 1:5) in the light." WALKING in the light, the element in which God Himself is, constitutes the test of fellowship with Him. Christ, like us, walked in the light (Jo1 2:6). ALFORD notices, Walking in the light as He is in the light, is no mere imitation of God, but an identity in the essential element of our daily walk with the essential element of God's eternal being. we have fellowship one with another--and of course with God (to be understood from Jo”
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 1:5: Ground of his "thanking God" (Phi 1:3): "For your (continued) fellowship (that is, real spiritual participation) in (literally, 'in regard to') the Gospel from the first day (of your becoming partakers in it) until now." Believers have the fellowship of the Son of God (Co1 1:9) and of the Father (Jo1 1:3) in the Gospel, by becoming partakers of "the fellowship of the Holy Ghost" (Co2 13:14), and exercise that fellowship by acts of communion, not only the communion of the Lord's Supper, but holy liberality to brethren and ministers (Phi 4:10, Phi 4:”