Spirit & Koinonia, The

Following the day of Pentecost , the Church defined itself in terms of its ethics and practice. Notably, the early Church practiced the sacraments given by Christ—water baptism and communion. As well, the early believers joined in the celebration of community. This celebration was the individual realization of a communal reality—acceptance into the family of God—by means of fellowship. Fellowship took place as the disciples broke bread together as a community of believers. Celebrating the work of Christ, the early Church demonstrated koinonia. In reality, this koinonia was not the fabrication of human wisdom and intervention Rather, koinonia is the extension of God’s communal nature into the community of faith.