"THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY GHOST" (See Phil. 2:1; 2 Cor. 13:14.)

(Continued from p. 249.)

The fact that these are the only occasions in the Scriptures where the expression, "The fellowship of the Holy Ghost," occurs, by no means lessens its importance; it should rather lead the careful reader to enquire the special significance of its use where it occurs. It would seem that in both cases the apostle had in view those who were not keeping rank-not going on in a way he could commend.

At first this may seem strange, but it surely is significant that under the Spirit's guidance it is not found in the epistles written by the apostle to those assemblies where they were going on happily with nothing to correct.

The apostle appeals to the beloved Philippians in ch. 2:1, thus:"If there be any fellowship of the Spirit," and this was the basis of his desire for them. We know that the assembly in Philippi was in danger of disintegration, not through the evil work of the "enemies of the Cross of Christ," nor from the persecuting power of Imperial Rome, but that internal strife was doing its baneful work, and threatened to blight the testimony of this company in whom Paul had found so much joy.

At Corinth, where so much existed which caused the apostle deep sorrow of heart, they came behind in no gift, nor in knowledge, but sorely lacked in the grace and the holy ways of Christ. In the beginning of his first letter Paul expressed a desire that they should be "perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Cor. 1:10). It has been pointed out that the word used here has in it the thought of setting a disjointed limb. This surely would be fitting in the connection in which it occurs, for dislocation had indeed taken place in the gathering. There was external unity, but internal strife, as a body dislocated, though not torn asunder.

Similarly, at the end of the second epistle, before the apostle utters his benediction he says in chap. 13:11, "Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect." I understand that this exhortation might literally be rendered," Be fitted together as a mosaic." It was a needed word in connection with the conditions existing. Thus only would the saints in Corinth know "The fellowship of the Holy Ghost."

The unity of the Spirit of God may be kept in an external way; we may be perfectly correct in our ecclesiastical position, yet lack what the apostle desired for these saints, viz:"The fellowship of the Holy Ghost." Might we not profitably connect with this the happy condition existing among the early believers, when Saul the persecutor had, by the grace of Christ, been called and commissioned by the Lord, and henceforth, as Paul, builded what he had once ravished. Thus we read in Acts 9:31, "Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea, Galilee and Samaria, and were edified, and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied."

The "comfort of the Holy Spirit" can only be known as "fellowship of the Spirit" is enjoyed. Little wonder that those early saints were edified and multiplied. In like conditions there would be no barren and profitless meetings, but power and grace would result as in those days, others would be drawn to Christ and added to the company of His own. Alas! how often we mourn over the reverse, and instead of rejoicing in the number of the saints being multiplied, we sorrow at their dwindling or scattering.

May we not conclude that there is a lesson for us all in Paul's use of this expression? If the Spirit has formed an indissoluble bond, and we are exhorted to "keep the unity of the Spirit," surely in so doing we shall know the "Fellowship of the Holy Ghost." J. W. H. N.

(To be continued, D. V.)