Fellowship

Acts 18:3 KJV

” And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.”

Here we have Paul arriving in the city of Corinth and finding Aquila and Pricilla. They practiced the same craft as Paul. That of tent making. Paul had just come from Athens, and prior to that from Thessolonica. In These places he had disputed with the Jews. He was not very well received. In fact He was mocked and even threatened. Now he comes to Corinth where he encountered more opposition to his teaching and preaching. This time he finds people that he can be comfortable with.

It is not a new thing that people who work in the same vein always have a lot to talk about. If you get farmers together, they will talk about farming and the weather. If you get construction folks together, the conversation invariably goes to the building trades. Oftentimes when women are gathered they are discussing their children or their day to day tasks. There is a great deal of comfort in shared experiences. When we know that we aren’t the only ones who are going through life doing what we are doing, we feel a sense of unity and comradeship.

While Paul found some fellowship with Aquila and Pricilla, This is the opposite experience that our Savior had when he came to earth. The Gospel of John tells us that “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” We would be inclined to ascribe this solely to the Jews, but we have to realize this is really an indictment of all of us. In spite of this rejection, Jesus continues to come unto us. He is relentless in his pursuit of all mankind. Gods will is that none would perish, but that all would come to repentance. Through Christ’s atoning sacrifice we have access to our Heavenly Father.

It can be tempting for us to think we are self sufficient. We will then isolate ourselves or move somewhere where there aren’t other believers around, But It is so important that we are around others who have the same “vocation ”. That of being the Children of God called to spread the Gospel. It is also necessary to gather with them as often as possible. In this fellowship we will find comfort and a respite from the strife of this world. We can also encourage each other in the faith, and be strengthened to go forth and proclaim Gods Word to a sin sick world in need of his grace and mercy.

Hans Lampinen

Submitted by Pastor Stan