Fellowship offerings, also known as peace offerings, are a significant aspect of the sacrificial system outlined in the Old Testament. These offerings are primarily detailed in the book of Leviticus and are part of the broader Levitical laws given to the Israelites. The Hebrew term for fellowship offering is "zevah shelamim," which can be translated as "sacrifices of peace" or "offerings of well-being."

Biblical Foundation

The instructions for fellowship offerings are found in Leviticus 3 and Leviticus 7. These offerings were voluntary and were meant to express gratitude, fulfill a vow, or simply offer a freewill gift to God. The Berean Standard Bible provides a clear depiction of these offerings:

Leviticus 3:1-5 states: "If one's offering is a fellowship sacrifice, and he offers an animal from the herd, whether male or female, he must present it without blemish before the LORD. He is to lay his hand on the head of his offering and slaughter it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Then Aaron's sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood on all sides of the altar. From the fellowship sacrifice he is to bring an offering made by fire to the LORD: the fat that covers the entrails, all the fat that is on them, the two kidneys with the fat on them at the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he is to remove with the kidneys. Then Aaron's sons are to burn it on the altar atop the burnt offering that is on the burning wood, as an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD."

Purpose and Significance

Fellowship offerings served multiple purposes within the Israelite community. They were a means of expressing peace and reconciliation with God, symbolizing a harmonious relationship between the offerer and the Divine. These offerings also fostered community and fellowship among the people, as portions of the sacrifice were shared in a communal meal. This act of sharing underscored the communal aspect of worship and the unity of the people in their relationship with God.

The fellowship offering was unique in that it was one of the few sacrifices where the offerer, the priests, and God all partook in the offering. The fat and certain organs were burned on the altar as God's portion, the breast and right thigh were given to the priests, and the remaining meat was consumed by the offerer and their family. This distribution highlighted the communal and participatory nature of the offering.

Types of Fellowship Offerings

There were three primary types of fellowship offerings:

1. Thanksgiving Offering: This was given in gratitude for God's blessings and deliverance. It was a spontaneous expression of thanks for specific acts of divine intervention or provision.

2. Vow Offering: This was made in fulfillment of a vow or promise to God. It was a way to honor commitments made to the Lord, often in response to answered prayers or divine favor.

3. Freewill Offering: This was a voluntary act of worship, given out of devotion and love for God without any specific obligation or vow.

Theological Implications

Fellowship offerings underscore the importance of peace and reconciliation with God, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative. They prefigure the ultimate reconciliation brought about through Jesus Christ, who is described as our peace (Ephesians 2:14). The communal aspect of the fellowship offering foreshadows the unity and fellowship found in the body of Christ, where believers are called to live in harmony and love with one another.

In the New Testament, while the sacrificial system is fulfilled in Christ, the principles of thanksgiving, vow fulfillment, and freewill offerings continue to be relevant. Believers are encouraged to offer their lives as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1), embodying the spirit of the fellowship offerings in their daily walk with the Lord.