Christian "fellowship"....

[Iconoclast]

"Internet Theologian,

Now, he is no 'old timer' he is my age!

9 Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not.

 

[Iconoclast]

Young's Literal Translation
Hebrews 13:16 and of doing good, and of fellowship, be not forgetful, for with such sacrifices God is well-pleased.

The King James
Hebrews 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

The word "communicate" here in the KJV is koinonia.
Used also of sharing , communion.

Noteworthy - fellowship is called a "sacrifice" in Hebrews 13:16. Presumably a sacrifice of the NT priesthood.

HankD

For fun....ask people in the local church how they see our role as priests in Christ

 

[HankD]

"TCassidy,

And that comes full, circle to Ryle in the OP-

Let us resolve to meditate more on the Bible. It is good to take with us two or three texts when we go out into the world, and to turn them over and over in our minds whenever we have a little leisure time. It keeps out many vain thoughts. It clenches the nail of daily reading. It preserves our souls from stagnating and breeding corrupt things. It sanctifies and quickens our memories; and prevents them becoming like those foul ponds where the reptiles live, but the fish die.

Let us resolve to talk more to believers about the Bible when we meet them...

Been there done that, it doesn't last long except when its in a formal teaching environment with an expectation of sharing (koinonia) - a sacrifice, a sweet smelling
.
However I hear you! I agree completely, it should be primary in our lives.

When I think about it, I believe that even a "pot luck" dinner is a form of koinonia.

YLT Hebrews 13:16 and of doing good, and of fellowship (koinonia), be not forgetful, for with such sacrifices God is well-pleased.

Christian koinonia - an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God.

Here I believe is one of the reasons for the failure of which you speak.

Matthew 5
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Too many brethren have unresolved issues, some far into the past and the Spirit is grieved (IMO) and we make Him ineffective in our lives.

HankD

 

[HankD]

For fun....ask people in the local church how they see our role as priests in Christ

Yes, there are priestly duties in any age, mainly intercession (prayer).

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

In the NT priesthood Jesus ripped open the veil, tore down the wall of partition and all His priests (male, female, Hebrew and Greek) are invited into the holy place.

Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

The NT sacrifices to be offered up - praise, prayer, fellowship.

To start.

Occasionally - maybe once a year, we go over the NT priesthood in our senior citizen Sunday School class.

HankD