4. Thus from the beginning, the Church has possessed and depended upon a " teaching ministry " ; and, though in later times the reason of that dependence may seem less evident, and though, for obvious reasons, the functions of the ministry have taken a less exalted character, yet, when we consider that every genera- tion comes fresh to its problems, and that the unalterable prin- ciples of the Gospel have to find application to circumstances which are always novel, we shall be little disposed to question the title which the teaching ministry can still advance to the regard and consideration of believers. It is still the case of loyal and prudent Christians that "they continue steadfastly in the apostles' teaching," when they impose on themselves as a standing obligation of a well-ordered Christian life, the regular and devout attendance on the work of the Christian preacher.2
II.
The Fellowship.
The word translated " fellowship " (xoivuv/a) comes from a root which means literally sharing in common. The practical nature of the fellowship is very clearly seen by comparing the ways in which the same word is translated in other places in the New Testament. As a rule Scripture is its own best interpreter. In Eom. xv. 26 the same word here translated "fellowship" is rendered "contribution" — "It hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem." In 2 Cor. ix. 13 it is "distribution" — "Your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men." In Heb. xiii. 16 it is "communicate" — "To do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." In 1 Cor. x. 16 it is "communion" — "The cup of
1 J. H. Jowett, in Examiner, 9th February 1905. 2 H. H. Henson.
ACTS ii. 42 53-
blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ." While in Phil. i. 5 ; ii. 1 ; iii. 10 it is plainly used in the sense of " participation." From all these Scriptures, the meaning of the word is clearly defined. It was the word used for the collection of money for the poor saints, and for the share which believers took in transmitting these alms to those in need. Fellowship in this sense is a most exalted and noble thing, and a privilege not to be lightly esteemed. It showed the oneness of the whole body of the faithful in state, in privilege, and in obligation. Sharing thus in common there was created a spirit of mutual recognition, a manifestation of common interests, and a closer partnership with each other in the blessings and privileges of the Gospel — leading them to share joyfully their goods with others. Taking the word in the meaning thus given, we cannot fail to see that the contribution or collection became a regular, an abiding institution in the Church of Christ.
1. There are thus three aspects in which to regard the Fellowship —
(1) It is evident that they encouraged each other in the things of God and continued to do so. They were as one loving family, and loving each other they took every means in their power to keep the glow of love aflame. "As iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." What better means of encouraging the members of the Church can there be than by conversing freely together of the things of God ? As the fellowship meant participation, communion ; so in their intercourse with each other there was a constant interchange of thought in matters of spiritual experience.
^j I fear this aspect of fellowship has been sadly lost in these days. How seldom we talk about God ! We talk about anything — everything else — about leaders, teachers, sermons, books; but how seldom do we find the conversation, even among a party of Christians, centring round God; and yet one of the sweetest of the " precious and exceeding great promises " is given to those who practise the habit of speaking about God, and the things of God. In the same chapter in which we read of bringing " all the tithes into the storehouse," and so paying attention to the contribution, the collection, and proving the Lord of Hosts herewith, we also read these precious words : " Then they that feared the Lord spake one with another ; and the Lord hearkened, and heard, and a book
54 APOSTOLIC CHRISTIANITY
of remembrance was written before Him, for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in the day that I do make, even a peculiar treasure, and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not" (Mai. iii. 16-18).1
(2) They had a mutual regard for each other's welfare, and continued to show it. Communion, participation, fellowship cannot exist where one member is indifferent in the smallest degree to anything that affects the interest of another. The member who takes no interest in the welfare of his fellow-members is guilty of violating the partnership in which all believers are embraced. If I am one with him, what touches him, touches me ; his sorrows, dangers, duties, joys, prosperity, or adversity are mine. In true fellowship there can be no isolation, no independence: all are sharers in common. If we are members of the body of Christ, then, in a very real sense, " there should be no schism in the body ; but the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffereth, all the members suffer with it; or one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it " (1 Cor. xii. 25, 26).