The Biblical Basis of Fellowship

1. The Biblical Basis of Fellowship Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. John 17:17

2. Introduction • Fellowship historically a very contentious subject • prompted apostles to gather in Jerusalem (Acts 15) • in our own nation, as dividing issues come and go, fellowship remains the underlying principle, as well as the source of the most difficult questions • today, issue of fellowship itself proves to be dividing line between many churches and brethren

3. Introduction • Reactions to divisions on fellowship • some feel that discussion is a waste • yet epistles written with express purpose of establishing fellowship • some attempt to sweep differences under the rug and put forward an appearance of unity • but this violates the power of the gospel and repentance • many are left confused on all sides by the inconsistency of those around them • Despite the state of many brethren, is fellowship truly possible, and if so, where and how can it be found?

4. Failed Attempts at Fellowship O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. Jeremiah 10:23

5. Failed Attempts at Fellowship • Man does not have the ability to set his own standard • incapable of proper perspective (Jer. 10:23)(Is. 55:8-9) • To obey is better than sacrifice • can extending bounds of fellowship be justified on the grounds that it improves worship? • such an attitude (attempting to improve upon God’s pattern) is tantamount to rebellion (1 Sam. 15)

6. Failed Attempts at Fellowship • Importance of fellowship continues in the church • there were many churches that harbored sin in their midst, to their shame • immorality at Thyatira (Rev. 2:19-23) • false doctrines at Pergamos (Rev. 2:13-16) • gospel given as the Sword of the Spirit so that we could cast down that which exalts itself against the Lord, not tolerate it (2 Cor. 10:3-4)

7. Biblical Basis of Fellowship But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

8. The Biblical Basis of Fellowship • God • In general sense, our fellowship together is outgrowth of our mutual fellowship with God (1 Jn. 1:1-4) • if two are walking godly, being cleansed from sin, then they are in fellowship with each other (1 Jn. 1:7) • therefore, simplest question to ask is “who has fellowship with God?” • A • B

9. The Biblical Basis of Fellowship • Conditions of fellowship with God understood only through the Scriptures (Jn. 17:17) • gospel draws us to salvation (Rom. 1:16)(2 Thess. 2:13-14) • gospel enables us to maintain godliness (2 Tim. 3:16-17) • gospel compels us to repent (Heb. 4:12-13) • Time and again, church called to examine Scriptures to determine fellowship with one another • steadfast keeping of apostle’s doctrine (Acts 2:42) • anything beyond was judged as false (Gal. 1:6-9) • any who had fellowship with one teaching false doctrine would then, by necessity, be outside Christ (2 Jn. 9-11)

10. Uniformity of Fellowship I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6

11. The Uniformity of Fellowship • God • Fellowship exclusively through understanding and abiding in God’s word • is there more than one way to have fellowship with God? • if so, could two people have a differing fellowship with God, yet still have fellowship with each other? • A • B

12. The Uniformity of Fellowship • God • God • An exclusive path and an exclusive truth • path to God only through Christ (Jn. 14:6)(Mt. 7:13-14) • unity and peace delivered by Spirit (Eph. 4:1-6) • those who twist truth of the Scriptures do so to their own destruction (2 Pet. 3:14-18) • A • A • B • B

13. The Uniformity of Fellowship • God • God • God • God • With only a common holiness and doctrine allowing fellowship with God, Christians should naturally be unified in godliness and doctrine • (Jn. 17:20-23)(Phil. 2:1-2)(1 Cor. 1:10)(1 Cor. 4:17) • A • A • A • A • B • B • B • B

14. Conclusion 2 Corinthians 11:1-4 1 Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. 2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it! 2 Corinthians 11:1-4 1 Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. 2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!