Church Fellowship - Brug - Lesson 6 By Professor John F. Brug

The Practice of Fellowship I Guidelines and Basic Applications Church Fellowship The Practice of Fellowship I Guidelines and Basic Applications

Goals Briefly review the principles of church fellowship. Study guidelines for applying church fellowship principles in an evangelical way. Examine some basic applications of church fellowship principles.

Opening Prayer Thank you, Lord, for teaching us the principles of church fellowship from your Word. Thanks also for faithful confessors who practiced these principles throughout history. Grant us wisdom and love to apply your Word-principles to our lives as individuals and as a church. Amen.

Review of church fellowship principles What do we mean by church fellowship? Every activity in which Christians give expression to a common faith and confession.

Review of church fellowship principles How do we decide with whom we may practice church fellowship? Compare confession with all Scripture teachings . Agreement  practice. No agreement  no fellowship with individual or group.

Review of church fellowship principles In what two ways must church fellowship be seen as a unit? Churches, individuals must agree in all doctrines of Scripture to practice church fellowship. Complete agreement in doctrine is required for all expressions of church fellowship.

Guidelines for applying church fellowship principles Why study Scriptural principles before discussing situations? Practices need to be Word-based, not emotional, or societal. A clear understanding of general principles and goals is needed to evaluate specific cases.

Guidelines for applying church fellowship principles Why not rely on church rules, common practices or precedents? Circumstances, situations change. Impression given by some practices may change. We do not want to put human judgment above God’s principles.

Guidelines for applying church fellowship principles What is a case of casuistry? Two equally valid principles may apply.

Guidelines for applying church fellowship principles Why must we be careful in judging cases of casuistry? Sanctified human judgment is needed for each situation. We should be careful about condemning others who reach a difference conclusion.

Guidelines for applying church fellowship principles How do we face a difficult case? Study the principles and pray. Seek the advice of wise and respected fellow Christians. Explain our actions. Don’t let exceptions determine practice or undermine principles.

What two responsibilities do we need to keep in balance? Patient admonition of the weak Prompt separation from persistent errorists

What attitudes are needed for this dual responsibility? Patience with the weak Humility re. own weaknesses A loving, evangelical spirit

What attitudes are needed for this dual responsibility? Openness about our efforts Willing action: prompt, firm

More attitudes needed: Spirit of prayer for courage and decisiveness. Ezekiel 2:3-7; 3:3-9

More attitudes needed: Indignation against Word- twisters and false teachers. Psalm 119:129-144

Comfort and Assurance It’s God’s doctrine, not ours. “Hallowed by Thy name.” We thankfully obey the Second Commandment.

Basic Applications What is wrong with terms like “altar fellowship” and “pulpit fellowship”? “Altar fellowship” – Christians worshiping, communing together “Pulpit…” – exchanging pastors  Such terms may be used to divide the unit concept of “fellowship.”

Why is giving money expressing church fellowship? Scripture positively says so : Philippians 1:5; 4:15

But giving money to false teachers? Sharing in “wicked work”: 2 John 11

Basic Applications Why not work together on doctrinal projects (e.g., videos, Bible studies) with heterodox churches? Writers who disagree on doctrine cannot produce clear materials on Scripture. Compromise causes confusion.

Basic Applications What is one exception to this? Doctrinal meetings with false teachers when we are trying to resolve differences with Scripture.

Basic Applications Why can’t we agree to divide mission fields with false teachers? This would endanger new Christians by exposing them to false teaching.

Why not send greetings and congratulations to false, i. e Why not send greetings and congratulations to false, i.e., heterodox churches? accomplices in error wrong impression as if error okay congratulate doing wrong? When may we attend their meetings? to observe, testify against error

Joint Christian charity outside our fellowship? Christian charity is an act of praising God by expressing our Christian love. 2 Corinthians 9:12f

Why does joint prayer always require agreement in doctrine? Prayer is always worship. Worship requires doctrinal agreement. Romans 16:17 “Keep away from” false teachers cannot mean “pray with them.”

What is the difference between prayer for someone and prayer with someone? 1 Timothy 2:1f We should pray for everyone in and out of our fellowship. To join in prayer with someone, however, is to express agreement, i.e. fellowship.

Summary We reviewed guidelines for applying scriptural principles of church fellowship. We studied some applications easily decided by NT principles with close NT parallel applications

Closing Prayer Lord of the Church, graciously grant us the knowledge and wisdom to understand the principles of church fellowship, the love and patience to apply them evangelically, and the courage to apply them firmly and without compromise. Amen.