1. 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)

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

3. 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

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

5. 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

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

7. 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

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

9. 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)

10. Fellowship In The Truth
The Basis

11. 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.”

12. 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)

13. 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)

14. 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

15. 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)

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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!

19. Fellowship In The Truth
The Basis
The Objections

20. 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)

21. 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)

22. 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)

23. Fellowship In The Truth
The Basis
The Objections
The Application

24. 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.

25. 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?

26. 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!

27. Fellowship In The Truth
The Basis
The Objections
The Application