Right Hand of Fellowship: this is how we have recently titled our welcoming of new members to GCF. It has been our conviction for years that although Scriptures don't have an explicit command, "thou shalt join a church" the principle of commitment to a local body of believers is seen all throughout the New Testament. From the beginning of the early church, we read that individuals were constantly being added to the church in Jerusalem (Acts 2:41, 47; 5:14; 16:5), and even a list for financial support of those in need (1 Tim 5:9). Besides, we see a clear distinction between those inside the church and those outside the church (1 Cor 5:12-13; 1 John 2:9). When a believer left a given city for another, the church of the city he was leaving often wrote a letter of commendation to the church of which he would now become a member (Acts 18:27; Rom 16:1; Col 4:10; 2 Cor 3:1-2). It is important that we acknowledge those in the flock of God who are in "our midst" so that we (as elders) would shepherd them well (1 Pet 5:1-3). We also see in the "body of Christ" analogy a close connection of each individual to the whole, as the apostles refer to these individuals as "members": "For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." (Rom 12:4-5). "so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it." (1 Cor 12:25-26). We are exhorted to "not forsake our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."

The phrase the right hand of fellowship is found in Galatians 2:9. Giving the right hand of fellowship was “a solemn act of partnership signifying acceptance, agreement and trust.” As part of the process of welcoming new members into our local congregation, the “right hand of fellowship” is extended to a person who has expressed faith in Christ, has been baptized (or soon will be), and has expressed interest in church membership. These persons are publicly recognized during a church worship service, and after the service existing members shake hands with them. The handshakes are part welcome, part congratulations, and part esprit de corps. The word translated “fellowship” is from the Greek koinonia, referring to friendship or sharing in a partnership. In the very first church, the believers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). For these reasons, this is a special time when we acknowledge new members who have expressed their desire and commitment to join and be engaged in using their gifts in our local church.