Christian Fellowship

Church Membership Requirements (Community Church, Ormond Beach, FL. Membership requirements.) Membership may be accomplished by meeting six criteria: 1.Evidence of salvation. 2.Baptism by immersion after salvation. 3.Completion of CLASS Signing the Membership Covenant. 5.Completion of a new member interview with a staff pastor. 6.Participation in new member recognition service.

Acts 2:38,41,47 (38) Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (41) Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. (47)...And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Christian Fellowship Concept of fellowship in our time greatly misunderstood. First, Christian fellowship is a spiritual communion. It has no reference to recreation or physical association. koinonia (  “partnership, joint participation, communion, fellowship”

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

2 Corinthians 8:3-4 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

Galatians 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

The Nature of Fellowship God Man Vertical 1 John 1:3

1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. Fellowship must first be vertical, with the Father and His Son

The Nature of Fellowship God Man Vertical 1 John 1:3 Horizontal 1 John 1:7

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. True Christian fellowship is conditioned upon “walking in the light” (i.e. – fellowship first with God).

Local Church Fellowship Scriptural Concept (Acts 9:26-28)

Acts 9:26-28 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out.

Local Church Fellowship Scriptural Concept (Acts 9:26-28) Not a “Country Club” membership

Local Church Fellowship Scriptural Concept (Acts 9:26-28) Not a “Country Club” membership Also not an optional matter –Accountability (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinth- ians 5:4-7; Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:17)

Matthew 18:15-17 Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

1 Corinthians 5:4-7 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6 Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.

Acts 20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Hebrews 13:17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Local Church Fellowship Scriptural Concept (Acts 9:26-28) Not a “Country Club” membership Also not an optional matter –Accountability (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinth- ians 5:4-7; Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:17) Men are limited in their acceptance of, or rejection of others. Based on question of vertical fellowship. –Men are fallible, mistakes can be made.

Conclusion 1.Fellowship is spiritual communion 2.True fellowship with other Christians is dependent upon fellowship with God first 3.Men must choose who they will fellowship. However, they are bound to recognize God’s limits. Accept the one God accepts, and reject the one God rejects.