Biblical Fellowship
2002049
Topic # 263 (fellowship)
Introduction:
A. “Fellowship” is a term used to describe a wide variety of activities in the church today.
B. At the present, “fellowship” is used by religious people to describe:
1. Social activities such as eating together & spending quality time together.
2. Passages such as Acts 2:42-47 have been used to back up this idea.
C. “Fellowship” has also been used by religious people to advocate a “unity in diversity” idea.
1. Seen throughout the denominational world. Denominations have “fellowship” with many religious bodies – regardless of what they teach/practice.
2. Let’s agree to disagree.
3. This line of thinking has crept into Churches of Christ in the last 50 years.
4. We must understand there is no unity in doctrinal diversity.
a) Believers have no fellowship with unbelievers.
b) Those who work righteousness have no fellowship with those who work unrighteousness.
c) Christians have been called to come apart & be separate from unbelievers.
D. “Fellowship” is a biblical word.
1. Literally, it is the state of being fellows.
2. In the FC, Christians were:
a) fellow prisoners – Rom. 16:7; Col. 4:10
b) fellow helpers – 2 Cor. 8:23; 3 John 8
c) fellow heirs – Eph. 3:6
d) fellow citizens – Eph. 2:19
e) fellow soldiers – Phil. 2:25
f) fellow laborers – Phil. 4:3; Col. 4:11
g) fellow servants – Col. 1:7; 4:7
I. Fellowship is defined in 2 Cor. 6:14-18
A. Six words in this text look at the idea of fellowship from different aspects.
B. 6:14 – “bound together” describes fellowship.
1. Literally the term here means “yoked together.” See NKJV; ASV; KJV; NIV. We are not to be bound together with unbelievers.
2. OT times – people could not yoke an ox with a donkey –as it was unequal. See Lev. 19:19
3. Thayer says the term in 2 Cor. 6:14 means “to have fellowship with one who is not an equal.” Paul says this is not to describe the Christian.
C. 6:14 – “partnership” describes fellowship.
1. It means a “sharing, communion; fellowship.”
2. Of course, righteousness and lawlessness have no fellowship.
D. 6:14 – “fellowship”
1. NKJV uses “communion” here.
2. Meaning: “association” “joint participation; intercourse.” Paul asks, what in common has light & darkness?
E. 6:15 – it is “harmony.” ASV uses “concord” NKJV uses “accord.”
1. Greek word from word group that the English word “symphony” is derived.
2. Can also mean “agreement.”
3. Same term is used in Mt. 18:19 – men agreeing to ask God something in prayer. Also in Acts 5:9 – Ananias/Sapphira agreeing to lie to the HS.
F. 6:15 – it is being a “part.”
1. In this context, believer has no part or share with the unbeliever.
G. 6:16 – it is “agreement.”
1. When we have fellowship with someone, we are in agreement. We approve of each other’s actions, etc.
II. Powerpoint diagram of the Nature of Biblical Fellowship.
III. Christians have fellowship with deity.
A. 1 John 1:3, 7 – we have fellowship with God.
B. How?
1. Note: fellowship is more than a “relationship”; rather it is an intimate association with God. This is seen in our:
2. worship: prayer; study; singing; LS; giving
3. labor – 1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor. 5:17-6:2
4. Purity of life – involves active participation in shunning evil & doing good on the part of God & man.
5. a life of spiritual growth – Heb. 5:12-14
C. Fellowship is more than a mere relationship – it involves obligations on our part! Too often we focus only on the blessings of fellowship.
D. 1 Cor. 1:9; 1 John 1:3- we have fellowship with Christ.
1. This is done when we walk in the light – 1 John 1:3; Eph. 3:17
2. We have fellowship in his suffering – Phil. 3:10
a) We will suffer for Christ. 1 Tim. 3:12
b) Paul & Christians today suffer w/Christ on behalf of the church.
3. We have fellowship w/Christ when we partake of communion. 1 Cor. 10:16
E. We have fellowship with the HS – Phil. 2:1
1. this is done as long as we abide in His message – Acts 2:38; 5:32
IV. Fellowship among Christians.
A. No doubt it is to take place. See Gal. 2:9; 6:6; Phil. 1:5; 4:15; Acts 2:42-44; 2 Cor. 8:4-9, 14; Rom. 15:26
1. Fellowship w/each other is empty if we’re not in fellowship w/God!
B. We have fellowship w/brethren in who we are.
1. fellow citizens – Eph. 2:19
2. fellow soldiers – Phil. 2:25; Eph. 6:10-17
3. Fellow laborers; servants; and heirs…
C. We share together in the things we do:
1. proclaiming the gospel – Phil. 1:5; 4:14-16
2. edification – 1 Cor. 14:26; Eph. 4:16
3. benevolence to needy saints – Rom. 15:26; 1 Cor. 16:1; Heb. 13:16;
V. With whom should we fellowship?
A. All Christians who are walking in the light. 1 John 1:3, 7
1. See Eph. 4:1-16. Should fellowship those who:
2. 4:1 – walk worthy of their calling
3. 4:2 – walk w/humility & love.
4. 4:3 – work to keep unity
5. 4:4-6 – build on the ONE church.
6. 4:13-16 – work to become mature.
B. All who abide in the doctrine of Christ. Acts 2:42; 2 John 9-11
VI. With whom should we not fellowship?
A. We can forfeit the right to fellowship w/someone. Remember it’s a “Joint sharing or participation.”
1. fellowship is something that may be offered; withheld; refused; or given
B. Told to refuse fellowship to those who walk disorderly – 2 Thess. 3:6-14
C. Unbelievers – 2 Cor. 6:14-18
D. Unfaithful brethren – 1 Cor. 5:9-13
E. Unfruitful works of darkness – Eph. 5:11
F. False Teachers – Those who start division among brethren – Rom. 16:17-18; 2 John 9-11
Conclusion:
A. Here’s the most important question of the day: Do you have fellowship w/God? Are you his child?
1. Those not in fellowship w/God are lost eternally.
2. Doesn’t have to be the case! God sent His son to die so we can be adopted as sons/daughters of God!
3. Eph. 1:3-14
B. Fellow Christians – fellowship is a 2 way street between God & man.
1. Know that God will do His part!
2. Already a son – but not participating w/God in His work?
3. Get your life right!
C. I N V I T A T I O N
