Fellowship

One of the purposes of the Church is fellowship. Since Paul was a missionary church-planter, he did not have as long-term relationships as some of the other apostles. I think Ephesus is the place he stayed the longest. The book of Acts mentions him being able to meet with the Ephesian elders who encouraged him as he made a stop on his trip to Rome. They were people he knew well. He may have had some (longer-time) friends in the Sanhedrin, but when he accepted Christ, of course, those relationships were broken.

He was friends with the other apostles, but he did not get to spend a lot of time with him. I'm sure he was very thankful for Barnabas and Silas who accompanied him on his journeys. Even though he and John Mark parted ways for a while, he asked for Mark to bring him something in later years, so there was a reconciliation.

I am thankful for fellowship. I look forward to seeing you at the Quarterly Meeting this weekend.