01/24/2018 KOINONIA – DAY BY DAY
Acts 2:44-47 And all who believed were together and had all things in common; and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts, praising GOD and having favor with all the people. And the LORD added to their number day by day those who were being saved. [Revised Standard translation]
SUMMARY
“Koinonia” is a transliteration of the Greek word “κοινωνία.” A transliteration involves the conversion of letters from one writing system to another. For example, a transliteration may involve changing Greek letters into Latin letters or Latin letters into letters in the English alphabet. “Koinonia” means communion, joint participation or a gift jointly contributed. Koinonia expresses the unity and spirit of fellowship that the early church experienced as one body “in CHRIST.” As a result of the descent of the HOLY SPIRIT on the day of Pentecost, it was as if this group of believers were of “one mind,” “one heart” and “one spirit.” They were generous (without contention), giving (without envy or division) and joyful (happy to help each other out).
The SPIRIT of Koinonia was infectious. It was as if everyone was “in love” at the same time. As a result of this joyful, giving, worshipping group, the LORD, because HE WAS THE CENTER OF THEIR JOY, added to their number day by day. It was a wonderful time to be a Christian! It did not matter that the church was being persecuted from outside. It did not matter that the Roman government structure was still in place. Nor did it matter that the Pharisee and Temple leaders considered Christianity a “rogue” religion. The early Christian believers had an “other worldly” joy---a JESUS joy. They had a JOY for the LORD and each other that overflowed into all of their daily interactions.
THE KOINONIA EXPERIENCE
What is wonderful about the verses of scripture is that they provide helpful information about what the Koinonia experience is as well as what it is not.
WHAT KOINONIA IS NOT:
- IT IS NOT A NUMBER - If someone were to ask: “Exactly how many days did it take to experience “Koinonia?” or “How many people had to be in the group before “Koinonia” occurred?” The best answer would probably be that “Koinonia is not a number.” Some of the members of the group, like Peter, were “older” disciples of CHRIST while others were “brand new.” Some members had just joined the group, perhaps only “one day old.” Sometimes there was “Koinonia” in small settings, as when they met in small groups in each others’ homes for meals and Communion. See, Acts 2:46. Sometimes larger groups experienced “Koinonia” when they worshipped together in the temple. See, Acts 2:46 and Acts 3:1 So, Koinonia was not about a specific number.
- IT IS NOT A SELF-DESTRUCTIVE, OTHER-DESTRUCTIVE OR BLAME-CENTERED PROCESS Peter, a man who we know had many “short-comings,” and who denied CHRIST three times could have easily “exempted himself” from the Koinonia experience if he had focused on what he had done in the past, focused on his past fears or how disappointed he had been with himself. So soon after the crucifixion of CHRIST other believers could have easily chosen to spend their time blaming one another for “what happened,” blaming themselves,” or complaining about the organizations and institutions around them. But the Book of Acts describes a community that did not focus on the past. Instead, the Koinonia community was intent on the wellbeing of others and learning more about GOD. They enjoyed one another. They were “glad,” “joyful,” and “generous at heart.” See Acts 2:46.
- IT IS NOT EGOCENTRIC– This was not a “me first” group of believers. They did not put a lock on their hearts, their minds or their resources to keep others out. The Koinonia fellowship of believers joined with other believers. There were teaching sessions. They met together regularly. They shared with each other and were open to other people joining the group. And, GOD “added to their number.” No one needed to “do it alone.” No one was left out. No one said, “let me get myself together before I joined the fellowship.” No one looked anyone over to see if new member would “fit” in the group. No one was concerned about anyone’s accent or what language they spoke or whether they were citizens or not. There were: Parthians (the Parthian Empire was a major cultural power in ancient Iran and Iraq), Medes (an ancient Iranian people who lived in Media, an area that would be Northwestern Iran), Elamies (a people who were thought to be the descendants of Elam, one of the offspring of Shem (the son of Noah) who settled in what is Southern Iran), residents of Mesopotamia (The word “Mesopotamia” comes from Greek meaning “between two rivers.” Many associate the region with parts of Modern day Iran, Syria and Turkey.), Judia (located in modern day Israel), Cappadocia (a humid region located in Turkey), Pontus (North East of Asia Minor (now Turkey), on the Black Sea Coast, Asia (a peninsula sometimes called Anatolia, now comprising part of modern Turkey and the Armenian highlands), Phrygia (an ancient nation in Northwest Turkey), Pamphylia (a region in the South of Asia Minor or modern day Turkey. The Pamphylians were thought to be a mixture of aboriginal inhabitants, Greeks and immigrant Cilicians (Cilicia was a Roman province in Asia Minor)), Egypt (geographically largely situated in North Africa—the portion of Egypt known as the Sinai Peninsula today borders Israel and the Gaza strip.), parts of Libya (a region West of the Nile. The Libyans, in the North, and the Ethiopians, in the South, dwelt in the area known as Libya. Some considered the Libyans the “ancient Egyptians and Libya the known “Africa” during the Biblical times. See also Daniel 11:43; See Ezekiel 30:50) and from Rome (the famous capital of the ancient world situated along the river Tiber, in modern day Europe). Everyone just felt welcomed, wanted and needed. There were no border concerns or barriers.