Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common. (Acts 2:44)

There is nothing in this world quite like Christian fellowship. We know that the early church worshipped, prayed, and studied the Scriptures together. They also ate together, gave their tithes and offerings together, shared the gospel together, helped one another, and stuck together. In short, they loved one another. The word that describes this phenomenon is the Greek word koinonia, which is usually translated “fellowship.” But it is also translated into the words “communion,” “distribution,” “contribution,” or “partnership.”

This means there is something wonderful and supernatural that people in the church experience. It’s a bond we share that those outside that fellowship can’t begin to understand.

God has a unique purpose and place for the church in the world today. Paul tells us that we Christians are “the called of Jesus Christ” (see Romans 1:6). God’s people are called out of a world system that is hostile to the teachings of Scripture. As Jesus said, “You are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:19).

This doesn’t mean we are to isolate ourselves from the world, because Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (see Matthew 5:16).

We are to be salt and light in this culture. But at the same time, we are called out of the culture and warned not to love it. Called out…and called together. In the world…but not of the world. The apostle Paul called the church “a mystery,” and there is nowhere better to be in this world than right in the middle of it.