THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH Lesson 24

The idea of fellowship has been misunderstood. What is Fellowship? The idea of fellowship has been misunderstood. Many do not even understand the terminology of the word according to the word of God. So much confusion. But what is fellowship?

Is eating together a sign of Fellowship?

Is hiking together a sign of Fellowship?

Is having a garage sale sign of Fellowship?

Is having a bowling night a sign of Fellowship?

What is 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 (koinwnia) “partnership, joint participation, communion, fellowship”

What is Fellowship? 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.

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

What is Fellowship? 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.

What is Fellowship? 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 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.” Think about this: Communion, accord, part, agreement… They are all synonyms of the same WORD Fellowship!

What is Fellowship? 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.

What is Fellowship? 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 Vertical 1 John 1:3 Man Man

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 Vertical 1 John 1:3 Man Man 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 cleanse us us from all sin. True Christian fellowship is conditioned upon “walking in the light” (i.e. – fellowship first with God).

What is Fellowship? From Greek, (koinonia) Found some 20 times in the New Testament Acts 2:42, fellowship 1 Cor. 10:16, communion 16 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? 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

What is Fellowship? Heb 13:16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Php 2:1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 1Jn 1:3-7 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. 5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. Phil. 1:5, fellowship Phil. 2:1-2, fellowship Hebrews 13:16, share 1 John 1:3-7, fellowship (4 times) NOTE how each deals with spiritual matters! Php 1:5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,

What is Fellowship? It is the sharing that Christians have with God & Christ or with one another based upon their unity in Christ When Christians are in fellowship with God it brings them to one another! When the person is in sin, or has been dis-fellowshipped by the church, there is no fellowship. That is why we call it: Dis-fellowship

Basis of Fellowship True fellowship is NOT: Good intentions – Matt. 7:21-23, Prov. 16:25 Pro 16:25 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

Basis of Fellowship True fellowship is NOT: Personal relationships – Eph. 5:3-11, 1 Cor. 5:4-5, 11 1Co 5:11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner not even to eat with such a person. Eph 5:7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 1Co 5:4 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.

Basis of Fellowship True fellowship is NOT: Unity in diversity – cf. Gal. 2:1-5, 11-14 Gal 2:11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? Gal 2:1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5 to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Basis of Fellowship Begins with God’s word Fellowship begins with God! 1 John 1:5-7 1Jn 1:5-7 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Basis of Fellowship Begins with God’s word Based upon His word 1 John 2:3-6. 1Jn 2:3-6 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Basis of Fellowship NON-Negotiable!!!! Begins with God’s word A standard of agreement – Eph. 4:4-6, Jn. 17:17 NON-Negotiable!!!! Joh 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. Eph 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Basis of Fellowship It requires work! Fellowship requires UNITY! When we have fellowship with God we seek fellowship with one another! Common agreement Phil. 2:1-2, Eph. 4:1-3 It requires work! Eph 4:1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Eph 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,

Fellowship with God supersedes fellowship with man Basis of Fellowship Severed fellowship While God wants fellowship, we CANNOT compromise His standard – EVER! Fellowship with God supersedes fellowship with man

Basis of Fellowship Sin severs fellowship Eph. 5:11, 1 Cor. 5:6-7. 2 Thess. 3:6 2Th 3:6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 1Co 5:6-7 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. Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

Basis of Fellowship Sin severs fellowship You cannot accept one who refuses to repent, Rev. 2:18-23 Rev 2:20-21 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.

Doctrinal error severs fellowship Basis of Fellowship Doctrinal error severs fellowship 2 John 9-11, 1 John 4:1, Gal. 1:8-9 We CANNOT tolerate error in our midst! Rev. 2:12-16

Fellowship is spiritual communion True fellowship with other Christians is dependent upon fellowship with God first 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.

Is our fellowship what it ought to be?