The Importance of Fellowship Refuse to fellowship those we should Extend fellowship to those we should not (3 John 9-11) (2 John 9-11)

What Is Biblical Fellowship? The Meaning of Fellowship The Direction of Fellowship The Use of Fellowship

Sharing in & Principle & Action The Use of Fellowship Share in humanity (Hebrews 2:14) Business partners (Luke 5:10) Likeness to others (Matthew 23:30) Suffering (Philippians 3:10) Benevolence (Romans 15:26; 2 Cor. 8:4) Support of preaching (Philippians 1:5; 4:14-16) In Each of These: Sharing in & Principle & Action

What Is Biblical Fellowship? The Meaning of Fellowship The Direction of Fellowship The Use of Fellowship The Conclusions about Fellowship

The Conclusions About Fellowship Fellowship: Agreement in principle leading to joint or common action in spiritual work Fellowship is conditional (1 John 1:7) Fellowship cannot be arbitrary (3 John) Fellowship that is forbidden (Ephesians 5:11; 2 John 9-11) Fellowship is never used of fun and games

What Is Biblical Fellowship? The Meaning of Fellowship The Direction of Fellowship The Use of Fellowship The Conclusions about Fellowship

2 Corinthians 6:14–17 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” 17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” Common Work Share in Action koinonia Harmony of thought A part together with others A union of purpose Thus: Agreement in principle leading to joint or common action in spiritual work

What Relationship Does Fellowship & Truth Have? In The Truth What Relationship Does Fellowship & Truth Have?

Unity in Diversity (Doctrinal) One Idea of Fellowship: Unity in Diversity (Doctrinal) This was behind the “Unity Meetings” (1930’s) Doctrine promoted by New Unity / Grace-Fellowship Movement Promoted in broader fellowship in abuse of Romans 14 (1980’s-1990’s) If so, then basis of fellowship is not Truth! Some have made part of the Truth as the basis (gospel –vs- doctrine distinction)

Fellowship In The Truth The Basis

The Basis Truth is the basis for unity John 17:20-21 – Jesus prayed for unity Verse 6 – “…kept your word” Verse 17 – “Your word is truth” Verse 20 – “believe in Me through their word.”

The Basis Truth is the basis for unity John 17:20-21 – Jesus prayed for unity 1 Cor. 1:10 – Answer to division at Corinth All speak the same thing Same mind (cf. 2:16 – revelation of Christ) Same judgment (cf. Acts 20:3 - conclusion)

The Basis Truth is the basis for unity Truth is the basis for fellowship 1 John 1:1-7 Verses 1-5 – Rev. delivered by faithful witnesses Verse 6 - Rev. basis of truth Verse 7 – Rev. basis for fellowship 1 John 2:3-6 – Commandments (to have fellowship with God) 1 John 2: 7 – Commandment = word Abiding in truth (2:24, 28; 3:6, 24; 4:1-6; 2 Jno. 9)

The Basis Truth is the basis for unity Truth is the basis for fellowship Truth is the basis for rejecting Romans 16:17-18 – Contrary to the doctrine 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14 – Does not follow word received

The Basis Truth is the basis for unity Truth is the basis for fellowship Truth is the basis for rejecting Truth includes the whole revelation Gospel is doctrine Obeyed the gospel (Romans 10:16) Obeyed the doctrine (Romans 6:17) Obeying the truth (Romans 2:8) Obedient to the faith (Romans 1:5; 16:26) Used interchangeably (1 Timothy 1:10-11)

The Basis Truth is the basis for unity Truth is the basis for fellowship Truth is the basis for rejecting Truth includes the whole revelation Gospel is doctrine Aliens taught doctrine Acts 5:28 – filled Jerusalem with doctrine Acts 4:2; 14:21 – taught the people Acts 13:12 – believed the doctrine of the Lord

The Basis Truth is the basis for unity Truth is the basis for fellowship Truth is the basis for rejecting Truth includes the whole revelation Gospel is doctrine Aliens taught doctrine Gospel was preached to the church Rom. 1:7, 15 – preach gospel to church at Rome Acts 20:7 – Paul preached to assembly at Troas

The Basis Truth is the basis for unity Truth is the basis for fellowship Truth is the basis for rejecting Truth includes the whole revelation Unity & Fellowship is Dear & Precious But Should Not be Maintained at the Expense of Truth!

Fellowship In The Truth The Basis The Objections

The Objections “Legalism” Charge – “Legalist” –for appeal to follow law Means: opposed to using Truth as standard of fellowship We are under law 1 John 3:4 Galatians 6:2 James 1:25 If not – there is no sin (Romans 4:15)

The Objections “Legalism” “Can’t understand truth alike” Charge really says – truth is not clear Argued that Bible teaching on MDR – “lacks clarity” What about Matt. 19:9 lacks clarity? Where does that end? “What makes your position the default position?” We can understand the revelation (Eph. 3:3-5; 5:17) We can understand it alike (1 Cor. 1:10)

The Objections “Legalism” “Can’t understand truth alike” “Must all agree on every point & interpretation of every passage” Romans 14 – unity in spite of differences on personal liberties It is not a simple misunderstanding of a verse that separates – but SIN that separates from God. There is a growing process (2 Peter 3:18)

Fellowship In The Truth The Basis The Objections The Application

The Application The Issues Instrumental Music Church Sponsored Institutions Church Recreation Neo-Calvinism (Grace covers…) Divorce & Remarriage Multiple Causes for Divorce Broader fellowship (abuse of Romans 14) Etc.

The Application The Issues The Question Is the issue a matter of revelation or judgment (personal liberty) Does the teaching or practice involve sin or lead to sin?

The Application The Issues The Question The Consequence If abiding in truth is not basis for fellowship – then we are saying it does not matter what we believe! If fellowship with others is based upon fellowship with God – yet we can have fellowship in doctrinal error – then doctrine does not matter!

Fellowship In The Truth The Basis The Objections The Application