There is a vitally significant moment when, with a handclasp, the words are spoken-“On behalf of the brothers and sisters in Christ now assembled here, and all those in the Household of God who meet in many places, I give to you the right hand of fellowship”. That which began by a baptism into Christ upon belief and acceptance of His Truth has now moved into an acknowledged association with all others of the same Faith; a relationship to be expressed henceforth in the term Brother or Sister.
Like all matters subject to frequent repetition the very familiarity of the presiding Brother’s words may endanger the clear perception of the momentous issues involved with being “received into Fellowship”, and be a hindrance to the fuller recognition of the sublime scriptural truths contained in the words we use.
That the expression “in fellowship” means a relationship to Christ and with one another in union with Him is sound scriptural teaching, is consistently shown by our literature ever since Dr. Thomas affirmed the truth that the baptised believers of the true Gospel form the multitudinous “body of Christ”-the Church-of which He is the living Head. The danger and peril to the brotherhood of an under-estimated, imperfect and partial perception of that vital truth is very real- and present. It is seen and noticed in the comments sometimes heard about “joining, or coming in to the church” ; leaving the impression that all that is envisaged is nothing more than a membership in a religious organization. It would not be, of course, the general outlook, but if a trend to a partial and shallow perception is unchecked the real truth may become submerged, and the spiritual life of an ecclesia wither away. “Apart from me, said Jesus “you can do nothing”.1
One that is new-born in the Truth would not, from the beginning, realize all that is meant by being “in Christ”, that is, in union and in fellowship with one another. That will come, providing there is attention to the Apostle’s words to “desire (long for) the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation”.2 This is, as we learn from the words of Christ, the attaining of oneness in mind and spirit now, and ultimately the complete unity with him by the changing of this mortal to the divine immortal nature. But that transformation, we may be sure, will never be secured by trying to maintain spiritual life and health on a skim milk diet. And who are responsible for dispensing spiritual food with the life giving, growth forming elements left in? Is it not those who teach and guide those learning the Truth, both before and after their baptism? They will learn, and rightly so, from Paul’s words that in their belief and acceptance of the true gospel in baptism there is a “putting on of Christ” to become “all one in Christ Jesus, and if you are Christ’s then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the Promise”.3 Now it should be stressed that this word “one” of that passage is a translation of the same word that was used by Jesus when he said “I and my Father are one” and also in his prayer, “. . . that they may be one even as we are one”, and it included those “who are to believe in me through their (his apostles”) word, that they all may be one, even as thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me”.4
From the use of the same original word in all these passages we have the lofty thought giving the same idea of a complete “oneness”, first of the essential complete unity in mind and purpose of the Father and the Son, exalted beyond human understanding, and originating and developing from that other unity in the Son of the “heirs according to the promises”. . . . “For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified have all one origin”—that is why he is not ashamed to call them brethren.5
The same thought of “oneness” is conveyed by the use of “fellowship” in the apostle’s words: “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, so that you may have fellowship with us: and our fellowship is with the Father and his son Jesus Christ . . .”6
From the original word here translated fellowship, and also in the passages of Paul’s epistles, “They gave to us the right hand of fellowship”, we derive our word “communion”, which carries the idea of partnership —a being with and sharing together, in unity of mind and purpose.
Here, then, is the vital significance of that token hand-clasp that each of us received when we were baptised into Christ, and which speaks to us of the unity provided and given through Him, “for by one Spirit we were all baptised into the one body, Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, and all were made to drink of one Spirit”, and therefore, “just as the body is one and has many members, so you are the body of Christ and individually members of it”.7
It was of this truth that Bro. Robert Roberts was thinking when he wrote 8
…we are bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh, and therefore bound up with him in the closest of connections—Brethren of Christ. This is the highest dignity on earth, appreciated by those only who understand and see things in their ultimate bearings. It is full of blessing, now and in the age to come. It is present with us as a consolation and a joy, and a constraining power in the midst of evil and dishonour: the love of Christ is an enobling grace in all in whom it dwells.”
Reference
1 —John 15. 5, R.S.V.
2—1 Peter 2. 2, R.S.V.
3—Gal. 3. 29, R.S.V.
4—John 10. 30; 17. 11, 12, R.S.V.
5—Heb. 2. 11, R.S.V.
6—1 John 1. 3, R.S.V.
7—1 Cor. 12. 27, R.S.V.
8—A Word in Season, p. 61.
Fellowship with the Maker and Brethren