Fellowship
Posted by: henkf <henkf@...>
The Doctrine of Fellowship
Someone has said, “A proposition well defined is half argued” if I remember correctly. Meaning simply that one must define clearly the issue about which one is speaking or writing. The subject of fellowship has to do with “who is on the Lord’s side?” And with whom they (we) may associate in spiritual activities? That such must be considered by every one who desires to please Christ, can be seen by what one of His specially chosen Apostles wrote on the subject.
“Be Ye Not Unequally Yoked Together...”
“Come Out From Among Them...”
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God: As God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; And I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). See also (Ephesians 5:11; 2 John 9-11; Romans 16:16-18).
Notice the words “fellowship,” “communion,” “concord,” “agreement,” etc.
The Greek scholar Thayer defines fellowship as follows: “To come into communion or fellowship, to become a sharer, be made a partner; participation, intercourse, collection, contribution”. If one is in fellowship with deity, such a one is in fellowship with everyone else who is in fellowship with deity. To be in fellowship with God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one must be “walking in the light as He is in the light” (1 John 1:1-7; 2 Corinthians 13:14). We do not even have to be on the same continent. This relationship is known as the church or the kingdom of Christ. It is shared equally by all who have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus; Even heavenly beings. “The whole family of God in heaven and in earth” (Ephesians 3:15). The Hebrew writer states it thus:
“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn,(ones) which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant,...Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:22-29).
In writing about this relationship of which we are privileged to be a part, the Apostle Paul said “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, (that is we Gentiles) but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:19-22). Earlier in this chapter he had spoken about how the Jew and Gentile are each “reconciled unto God in one body by the cross” and that the hatred between Jew and Gentile is abolished in this relationship as well as having peace with God (Ephesians 2:11-17). People who denigrate the church of our Lord are so bereft of understanding! What a wonderful blessing it is to be numbered among the saved in this holy temple, this household, this family, this kingdom of our blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! We have been “delivered out of the power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of His dear Son: In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14). The same blood that bought Christ’s church is associated with the kingdom. The kingdom and the church are terms used interchangeably (Matthew 16:18-19).
Fellowship Is A Working Relationship
Depending Upon Shared or Common Beliefs
As Amos said long ago, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed” (Amos 3:3)? To do so may accomplish union, but it does not accomplish unity, or Biblical fellowship, for they do not share common beliefs nor goals.
In their decision to share (have fellowship) with other brethren and with the Apostle Paul in a matter, Paul wrote, “praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of ministering to the saints” (2 Corinthians 8:4). This indicates a working relationship which was entered into between Christians who, at the time, were separated by several miles. They agreed to work with others to a common goal of relieving the brethren in other areas. You will note that no “sponsoring denomination” or “human institution” is in evidence. Only local congregations of Christians working concurrently and cooperating together (having fellowship) to see to the needy among them. The only organization known to the New Testament for collective functioning or “church work” is the local congregation under the oversight of her elders being assisted by the deacons and other members. Each is an autonomous (self governing) body (Acts 14:23; Philippians 1:1-2; 1 Peter 1:1-5; Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:7, 17;1 Thessalonians 5:11-17). Their benevolent work was carried out with nothing but local churches of Christ. They cooperated when necessary to reach a common goal, but no organizations ever stood between the churches and the work they were authorized or commanded to accomplish. None should exist today. The faithful followers of Christ may not have fellowship with those who corrupt this New Testament pattern (2 John 9-11; Philippians 4:9; Colossians 3:17; Revelation 22:18-19).
Churches Had Fellowship
In Supporting Preachers
This, the fundamental and basic function of the Lord’s people, the church,(1 Timothy 3:15), was also carried out in cooperative ways. Paul took wages from several congregations to work in an area preaching Christ (2 Corinthians 11:8). At other times, only one church or local congregation of Christians had fellowship (communicated KJV) with Paul as he preached to the brethren at Philippi, as recorded in (Philippians 4:10-19). As was true in benevolence, it was also true in evangelism. They cooperated when necessary, but no organization was set up. This is God’s pattern which must be respected today. The faithful cannot fellowship those who disregard this arrangement. To do so would be to “bid Godspeed” or to “share,” have “fellowship” in said error. It would be “joint participation.” This we are forbidden to do if we would please Christ (2 Corinthians 6:14; 2 John 11; Ephesians 5:11).
Fellowship Based On Doctrinal Purity
Fellowship Also Based On Moral Purity
Those who advocate a broader fellowship than the Biblical standard are now saying that we simply cannot know truth in all areas sufficiently to know with whom to and not to fellowship. This is a totally false premise of course. If they are correct, we would not know whom to attempt to convert to Christ. We could not know who is or who isn’t a false teacher of whom we are told by Christ as well as His Apostles, to “beware” (Matthew 7:15; Romans 16:17-18;2 John 10; 1 John 4:1). Elders in local churches would not be able to recognize the “wolves who would not spare the flock” (Acts 20:29). Elders would not be able to “..exhort and to convince the gainsayers” nor whose “..mouths to stop..” Nor could they know how to “..rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith..” Nor recognize the “doctrines and commandments of men, that turn from the truth,” all of which they are commanded to handle (Titus 1:9-14).
The church at Corinth had become broad minded to the point that they were condoning a known fornicator among the membership. They were told to handle this, congregationally for the sake of the salvation of the souls involved. Paul wrote them about this problem and gave the following commandments as an Apostle of Christ.
“It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you....In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together,...deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump...Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person” (1 Corinthians 5:1-13).
To fellowship error harms the one fellowshipped. They will never know of what they need to repent perhaps, unless the church stands up for the Biblical standard of morality. Those who fellowship couples who are “living in adultery” (Colossians 3:7; Matthew 5:32; 19:1-5) do great spiritual harm to those so involved. To extend fellowship when God doesn’t, does folks no good. He will say to them at the judgment, “I know you not” (Matthew 25:12). To rescind fellowship from those whom God accepts does them no permanent damage for He will say to such “come, ye blessed of My Father,..”(Matthew 25:41). If we err about such matters, would it not be better to err on the side of trying our best to uphold the moral and doctrinal standard of the Lord Jesus Christ than to show a lack of respect for His teaching?
Jesus Takes Note Of What His People Are Doing
As John wrote what the angel of Christ told him to write to the seven local congregations of Christ in Asia Minor (Revelation 1:1-2), He took note of what they were as well as were not dealing with as they should. To the church at Pergamos, He said, “But I have a few things against you, because you have there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against you with the sword of My mouth” (Revelation 2:14-16). Unless these brethren repented and corrected this matter of broadmindedness, in the fellowshipping of moral and doctrinal error, Jesus would no longer be an ally, rather an adversary.
Using A False Teacher
We are told nowadays that even though a man is teaching error in moral matters, because of the great good he has done in the kingdom in the past, we should continue to use him in meetings etc. Mind you, he hasn’t retracted the teaching nor the books which put his ungodly doctrine in permanent form. May a thief keep his ill gotten gain when converted? May a liar keep on lying? May a drunk keep on drinking? I know that Herod was “married to his brother Philip’s wife” and it was “not lawful” for him to have her (Matthew 14:1-4). Jesus taught that it may become necessary to live a celibate lifestyle to be right with the Lord (Matthew 19:10-12).
This Parallels The Case Of Jezebel Of Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-23)
After commending the church at Thyatira for some good things they were doing, Jesus says, “Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because you allow that woman Jezebel which calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce My servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am He which searcheth the reins and hearts and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.”
“A Little Leaven Leaveneth The Whole Lump”
It was true at Corinth, it was also true at Thyatira, and it will hold true today in any local church of Christ. These brethren were harboring and failing the discipline this unrepentant sinner. She like those of our day, spread her sin to others; and, so by the neglect of discipline, the church allowed the sin to infect others who should have been protected by the proper practice of biblical discipline. The elders should have handled this matter quickly and decisively. Many today will have to answer for this same offense. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Romans 2:6-11; 14:12; John 12:48).
Who Is To Be In the Fellowship Of The New Testament Church?
Simply stated, “all who are in fellowship with God.” Sometimes we are accused of being “narrow minded” by our religious neighbors. Sometimes they are heard to say, “why, you folks draw a circle and exclude everyone not in your circle,” Etc., Etc., Etc. My friend, we are no more narrow minded than is the Lord Himself. However, we dare not be broader minded than He. We are to accept into fellowship everyone on the face of the earth who are in fellowship with God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit as already stated in this study. The “one body” of Christ is broad enough to house everyone who respects the will of Christ and walks therein. No denomination claims to house all the saved. Christ’s blood purchased church does (Acts 2:41,47; Ephesians 2:13-17; 1 Corinthians 12:13, 20; Ephesians 4:1-6).
How Does One Become A Christian And As Such A Member Of Christ’s Church?
Those who have heard and believed the gospel (Hebrews 11:6;Romans 1:16-17), repented of sin and error (Luke 13:3; 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 17:30), confessed Jesus as Lord before men (Acts 8:37; Romans 10:10),
We are in fellowship with all such as have followed the word of Christ and are continuing to “abide in the apostles’ doctrine..” or as John put it, who are “abiding in the doctrine of Christ.” (Acts 2:42; 2 John 9-10).
The Psalmist Said It Well In (Psalms 119:63)
“I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep Thy precepts.” A companion means “one who agrees,” The Psalmist said he was “in agreement” with those who fear God and keep God’s precepts or commandments. This is the standard which should guide us today.
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