Fellowship of the Divine Life vs. Fellowship of the Spirit

 

Fellowship of the Divine Life vs. Fellowship of the Spirit

Rev. 22:1 “And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb in the middle of its street.”

2 Cor. 13:14 “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 

Aspect	Fellowship of the Divine Life	Fellowship of the Spirit
Meaning	The outflow and circulation of eternal life, the mutual sharing and participation of believers who have received the divine life.	The Spirit practically imparts God’s love and Christ’s grace to the believers for their enjoyment and experience.
Symbol	The river of water of life flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb in the New Jerusalem (Rev. 22:1).	The fellowship of the Spirit as the flow that conveys God’s love and Christ’s grace (2 Cor. 13:14).
Distinction	Emphasizes the “flow of life” — the supply and circulation of divine life.	Emphasizes the “work of the Spirit” — distributing and imparting God’s love and grace.
Effect	Brings supply and building up of the Body of Christ unto the New Jerusalem.	Enables believers to experience the Triune God, enjoying the Father’s love, the Son’s grace, and the Spirit’s fellowship, uniting them together.
Examples	The apostles’ fellowship (Acts 2:42), fellowship with the Father and the Son (1 John 1:3).	Believers’ fellowship in the Spirit for mutual building and oneness (Phil. 2:1).
Application	Believers should live by the spirit, allowing the divine life to flow in the church to supply all the members.	Rely on the Spirit to enjoy and share the Father’s love and Christ’s grace in the church life.
Mutual Relationship	The fellowship of the divine life is the actual content of the fellowship of the Spirit; the flow of life reaches believers through the Spirit.	The fellowship of the Spirit is the practical execution of the divine life’s fellowship, making the flow real to us.
Related Scriptures	Acts 2:42 “And they continued steadfastly in the teaching and the fellowship of the apostles, in the breaking of bread and the prayers.” 1 John 1:3 “That which we have seen and heard we report also to you that you also may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.”	2 Cor. 13:14 “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” Phil. 2:1 “If there is therefore any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of spirit, if any affection and compassions.”

 

Conclusion:

• The fellowship of the divine life is the outflow and circulation of divine life, the inner supply and sharing among believers.
• The fellowship of the Spirit is the Spirit’s practical impartation, distributing the Father’s love and the Son’s grace.
  ➡️ Both are complementary: the fellowship of life requires the Spirit’s fellowship to be realized; the Spirit’s fellowship is the execution of the flow of life.

 

*Please refer to the June 2025 Summer Training, General Topic: Experiencing, Enjoying, and Manifesting Christ (Part 3), Chapter 11: The Fellowship of Eternal Life – The Reality of Living in the Body of Christ