The Right Hand of Fellowship

6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles),9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. (Galatians 2)
I remember as a child occasionally hearing the phrase "the right hand of fellowship" used at church.  I wondered if it was some sort of secret handshake these people did at the front of the church.  Simply put, it is a sign of approval and acceptance of coworkers in Christ. Churches often "give" the right hand of fellowship to new members, signifying their place and part in the family of God - recognizing them as fellow members and workers, joining together to serve the Lord in His church.  The only "mystery" involved is how in the world God is able to bring all of these selfish people, with different backgrounds and prejudices together. That is answered "In Christ" and by the power of the Holy Spirit, working in us individually and binding us together.  So let's get together, hand in hand, and do what God has called us to do.