The New Testament Church
Is Divine In Fellowship
By Louis Rushmore
Biblical fellowship should be the only spiritual fellowship
in which the people of God have the least interest. Furthermore, the definition
of fellowship which can be gleaned from Scripture is the only definition
sanctioned by God, and the only fellowship which will carry any weight
in judgment. Isn't it, therefore, rather pointless to subscribe to a counterfeit
definition of fellowship, which can only mislead man now and certainly
condemn him in eternity?
However, does the Bible (and especially the New Testament
or Gospel) clearly define biblical fellowship? Further, granting a Scriptural
definition exists, is it necessary to accept and practice that fellowship?
With whom may one have fellowship, and under what conditions (or are there
any conditions)? Are there also others with whom the children of God are
forbidden to practice fellowship? What does the Bible teach concerning
the subject of fellowship? There are books devoted to the biblical doctrine
of fellowship, so the following is obviously only an abbreviated examination
of this topic.
It is this writer's firm conviction and understanding
of Scripture that biblical fellowship must be
established and maintained with God, and with those who are in fellowship
with God. "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" (1 John 1:3).
Further, man is wholly unauthorized to redefine fellowship
or extend it to those outside the scope of the biblical definition. The
beginning of one's familiarity with God, a relationship with him, or understanding
what God requires of mankind lies with faithful and regular consultation
with the inspired Word of God. Implementation follows consultation. Faithfulness
culminates consultation and implementation, and will result in a heavenly
hereafter with God. Following Bible teaching (doctrine) leads to fellowship
with God and those who are likewise in fellowship with God, and, in turn,
brings about biblical unity as well. Bible doctrine, genuine fellowship
and true unity are inseparable companions!
Necessary to Practice Biblical Fellowship
Led by the inspired apostles of Christ, the early church
followed the doctrine (Gospel or New Testament) delivered to them and practiced
fellowship with one another and God (Acts 2:42). Yes, it is not only desirous,
but necessary that the New Testament church, regardless of in which century
it exists, practice biblical fellowship. This is not an optional, but an
obligatory matter. Whatever God requires of his creation is possible. The
New Testament does describe Christian fellowship; it can be understood;
and, this fellowship can be practiced accordingly.
Any attempt to alter the teaching (doctrine) of the Gospel
assures the malfunction of true fellowship, a breach of fellowship with
God and those who are in fellowship with God (Galatians 1:6-9; 1 John 1:6,
7; 2 John 9-11). The only basis of biblical fellowship is the wholehearted
acknowledgment of Bible doctrine. Fellowship must not be imagined to be
limited to merely mental registration of Bible subjects (e.g., the seven
ones of Ephesians 4:4-6), but certainly requires the adoption of what Scripture
teaches about them, too.
Fellowship Linked to Discipleship
First, fellowship is a condition of discipleship; "Then said
Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us
also go, that we may die with him" (John 11:16). Fellowship of the Gospel
also resulted in common discipleship between the Philippian church and
the apostle Paul (Philippians 1:5). It is equally true that discipleship
is a condition of fellowship. Therefore, when Gentiles became disciples,
they enjoyed fellowship with God and other disciples (Christians). "Now
therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens
with the saints, and of the household of God" (Ephesians 2:19). "That the
Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers
of his promise in Christ by the gospel" (Ephesians 3:6).
Unless one is truly a disciple or Christian, he cannot
entertain fellowship with God and those who are in fellowship with God,
and this fellowship is the calculated result of "fellowship in the Gospel"
(Philippians 1:5). Biblical fellowship does not exist in spite of the Gospel
(teaching, doctrine), but as a result of it.
Fellowship Involves Laboring Together for God
Today, the subject of fellowship among brethren is often
reduced to the consideration of a common meal together. However, biblically,
comparatively few passages address this kind of fellowship (e.g., Acts
2:46). Perhaps more passages that pertain to fellowship depict it as working
together for the Lord than any other activity. In this vein, Paul referred
to Timothy as his "workfellow" (Romans 16:21) and Titus as his "fellowhelper"
(2 Corinthians 8:23). The Apostle named Clement among his "fellowlabourers"
(Philippians 4:3), others of whom specifically designated as such were
Timothy (1 Thessalonians 3:2; Philippians 1:1) Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas
and Lucas (Philemon 24). Justus was styled a fellowworker in the kingdom
of God (Colossians 4:11).
The activity in which fellowship involves laboring together
for God primarily attends to being "fellowhelpers to the truth"
(3 John 8). Scripture further describes fellowship among early Christians
with these appellations: Epaphras and Tychicus were called fellowservants
(Colossians 1:7, 4:7) among others (Revelation 6:11; 19:10; 22:9). It is
written of Epaphroditus that he was Paul's "companion in labour, and
fellowsoldier" (Philippians 2:25), and Apphia and Archippus are also
called fellowsoldiers, (Philippians 1:2). To exercise fellowship
in spiritual labors makes each participant a "true yokefellow" (Philippians
4:3).
Fellowship May Involve Suffering
Under the prevailing hostility toward the church in the first
century, fellowship in the Gospel resulted in some becoming fellowprisoners
(Romans 16:7; Colossians 4:10; Philemon 23). Not desirous by any means,
however, the communion and partnership involved in biblical fellowship
sometimes manifests itself among faithful brethren as the fellowship
of sufferings (Philippians 3:10).
Fellowship Occurs in Worship
Though not limited to worship, biblical fellowship is enjoyed
among Christians when they worship God. The Greek word for fellowship (koinonia)
is translated "communion" and applied to the Lord's Supper; "The cup of
blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of
Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the
body of Christ?" (1 Corinthians 10:16). Four verses later, the same Greek
word is translated "fellowship" and applied to the relationship
which exists between the worshipper and the worshipped (1 Corinthians 10:20).
Giving is another side of worship in which fellowship
results between man and God and between fellow Christians. Several Scriptures
translate the Greek word for fellowship to "communicate"
and apply it to giving (Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:14, 15; 1 Timothy
6:18; Hebrews 13:16). Giving is also called fellowship in 2 Corinthians
8:4.
Fellowship Inclusive and Exclusive
There are some with whom the children of God are forbidden
to practice biblical fellowship. This is clear from at least two passages:
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship
hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light
with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14). "And have no fellowship with the
unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them" (Ephesians 5:11).
The word "communion" in 2 Corinthians 6:14 comes from
the Greek word for fellowship; this text asks a rhetorical question, the
answer to which is "None at all!" Both verses emphatically teach that no
true fellowship can exist between camps wherein one holds to truth and
the other does not. Not only so, but cordial association with sinners often
leads to the corruption of the saints (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Christian fellowship is described as "fellowship of his
Son Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:9); "fellowship of the Spirit"
(Philippians 2:1); fellowship with the Father (1 John 1:3); "fellowship
one with another" (1 John 1:7); the apostles' "right hands of fellowship"
(Galatians 2:9) and "fellowship in the Gospel" (Philippians 1:5). Biblical
fellowship is reserved for those who do the truth and walk in the light
(1 John 1:6-7); these souls alone receive the blessing of the cleansing
power of the blood of Christ.
Conclusion
Counterfeit fellowship will offer no consolation in eternity;
it behooves us, therefore, to opt for only biblical fellowship now. We
are not left to wonder about the nature of fellowship, for the Bible amply
describes it. Biblical fellowship must be established and maintained with
God, and with those who are in fellowship with God. Bible doctrine, genuine
fellowship and true unity are inseparable companions; new definitions are
extra-biblical, corrupt doctrine and taint fellowship and unity.
Further, the fellowship God authorizes is not optional,
but obligatory. Far be it from God's faithful children to endeavor to extend
"koinonia" beyond the scope of its Scriptural definition, hence assuring
a malfunction and breach of true fellowship. The limits of fellowship include
a divine relationship with God and those who also entertain the same relationship
with God; all others are excluded from this magnificent relationship. Fellowship
is as much a condition of discipleship as discipleship is a condition of
fellowship. Genuine fellowship is also the outgrowth of the practice
of Bible doctrine. It manifests itself through laboring in the Gospel,
suffering with the children of God and worship. |