Fellowship and unity of believers 1 John 1:1-7

Facts about Fellowship 2

Bible Words 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 FELLOWSHIP (metoche): “partnership, sharing in, partaking of”FELLOWSHIP (metoche): “partnership, sharing in, partaking of” COMMUNION (koinonia): “sharing in common, joint participation, association”COMMUNION (koinonia): “sharing in common, joint participation, association” ACCORD (sumphonesis): “a sounding together” (concord, KJV)ACCORD (sumphonesis): “a sounding together” (concord, KJV) 3

PART (meris): “a part as distinct from the whole, an assigned part, portion”PART (meris): “a part as distinct from the whole, an assigned part, portion” AGREEMENT (sunkatathesis): “a putting together or joint deposit, approval”AGREEMENT (sunkatathesis): “a putting together or joint deposit, approval” Bible Words 2 Corinthians 6:

Fellowship Illustrated 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 This fellowship is sin! SINDARKBELIALUNBELIEVERIDOLS RIGHTEOUSLIGHTCHRISTBELIEVERTEMPLE 5

SINDARKBELIALUNBELIEVERIDOLSRIGHTEOUSLIGHTCHRISTBELIEVERTEMPLE Ephesians 5:11 Have No Fellowship With Sin! 6

Fellowship of Saints: Commonality in Christ 1 Corinthians 1:9 Common salvation, Jude 3Common salvation, Jude 3 Common faith, Titus 2:14Common faith, Titus 2:14 Common worship, Acts 2:42Common worship, Acts 2:42 Common good, Acts 2:44 (4:32)Common good, Acts 2:44 (4:32) Common suffering, Phil. 3:10Common suffering, Phil. 3:10 7

The Basis of Fellowship is Not… Good intentions, Prov. 16:25 (Matt. 7:21-23)Good intentions, Prov. 16:25 (Matt. 7:21-23) Personal relations, Eph. 5:5-11Personal relations, Eph. 5:5-11 Unity in diversity, Gal. 2:1-5, (Jno. 17:20-21; 1 Cor. 1:10,13)Unity in diversity, Gal. 2:1-5, (Jno. 17:20-21; 1 Cor. 1:10,13) Supposed “clarity” of subject, 2 Pet. 3:15-16 (Jno. 8: 31-32)Supposed “clarity” of subject, 2 Pet. 3:15-16 (Jno. 8: 31-32) 8

Basis of Fellowship: Gospel Obedience 1 John 1:5-7; 2:3-6 2 John 9; John 14:23 Must first have fellowship with GodMust first have fellowship with God If not with God, fellowship together is worthless (Eph. 5:11)If not with God, fellowship together is worthless (Eph. 5:11) Must live (walk) in light of truth to have fellowship with GodMust live (walk) in light of truth to have fellowship with God 9

FOCUS OF Fellowship AND UNITY 10

Unity of Saints is the Result of Fellowship with Christ Ephesians 4:1-3 Fellowship with Christ produces unity of mind, will & action among Christians, 1 Cor. 1:9-10Fellowship with Christ produces unity of mind, will & action among Christians, 1 Cor. 1:9-10 Fellowship implies unity, Acts 2:42, 44Fellowship implies unity, Acts 2:42, 44 11

Fellowship and Unity Eph. 4:1-3; 1 Cor. 1:

Unity of Saints is the Result of Fellowship with Christ Ephesians 4:1-3 So … When fellowship is disrupted by sin, division ultimately occurs – Amos 3:1-3So … When fellowship is disrupted by sin, division ultimately occurs – Amos 3:1-3 –Between God & man … SIN (Isa. 59:2) –Between Christians … SIN (1 Cor. 11:18-19) 13

Unity is Disrupted by Sin…No Fellowship! 14 “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?”

Fallacies about Fellowship 15

“Social activities are a form of Bible fellowship.” Fellowship suppers, fellowship halls, etc.Fellowship suppers, fellowship halls, etc. “Fellowship” never applied to social events or places in NT“Fellowship” never applied to social events or places in NT 16

“Fellowship only occurs in the local church.” Gal. 2:7-9: Different placesGal. 2:7-9: Different places 1 Cor. 10:16-17: Separated by time & distance, yet “one”1 Cor. 10:16-17: Separated by time & distance, yet “one” Rom. 15:26-27: Contribution (koinonia) of European saints with Jerusalem saintsRom. 15:26-27: Contribution (koinonia) of European saints with Jerusalem saints Phil. 1:5 (4:15): Support of preacher beyond the local churchPhil. 1:5 (4:15): Support of preacher beyond the local church 17

“Fellowship may continue when collective action is not involved.” Ex. Unscriptural remarriageEx. Unscriptural remarriage –“It’s an individual issue, it does not involved collective action of the church, so we can agree to disagree.” Fornication is not collective, action, yet it is a fellowship issue! – 1 Cor. 5:1-6Fornication is not collective, action, yet it is a fellowship issue! – 1 Cor. 5:1-6 18

“We may have ongoing fellowship in spite of ongoing sin and error.” Misuses of Romans 14Misuses of Romans 14 –Work & structure of local church –Adulterous remarriages –Days of Gen. 1 are “ages” –No eternal hell for wicked –No stopping place! 19

“We may have ongoing fellowship in spite of ongoing sin and error.” Truth: Doctrine & morality do affect fellowship, 2 Jno. 9Truth: Doctrine & morality do affect fellowship, 2 Jno. 9 –Doctrinal error, 1 Tim. 6:3-5 –Moral sin, 2 Tim. 3:1-5 Fellowship with God is broken when we teach, practice or encourage error, 1 Jno. 1:5-6; 2:3-6Fellowship with God is broken when we teach, practice or encourage error, 1 Jno. 1:5-6; 2:3-6 20

“We may have ongoing fellowship in spite of ongoing sin and error.” Do not have fellowship with those who are in sin or errorDo not have fellowship with those who are in sin or error –Do not receive, or you have fellowship with their evil, 2 Jno –Do not be deceived … do not be partakers, Eph. 5:6-7 –Have no fellowship with, Eph. 5:11 21

“We may have ongoing fellowship in spite of ongoing sin and error.” We cannot have open-ended fellowship with sin or error…We cannot have open-ended fellowship with sin or error… –Plan of salvation? –Musical instruments in worship? –Church support human organ.? –Church sponsored, supported, provided social events? –Aliens sinners not under doctrine of Christ? Adulterer may remarry? –Teaching world was not created in 6, 24-hour days (Gen. 1)? 22

Teach truth, Gal. 2:9Teach truth, Gal. 2:9 Practice truth, Eph. 4:3Practice truth, Eph. 4:3 Endorse truth, 3 Jno. 5-8Endorse truth, 3 Jno Those Who…

Teach error, Rom. 16:17Teach error, Rom. 16:17 Practice error, Eph. 5:11Practice error, Eph. 5:11 Endorse error, 2 Jn Endorse error, 2 Jn Those Who…

Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” 25