What is fellowship? (part 3)

In the last few articles we have looked at various Bible verses and what they teach us about Christian fellowship. The definition of fellowship is “a relationship you have with God, that you also have with others who have that same relationship with God.” This relationship is seen as a sharing together, it is seen as a participation together, and it is seen as something that Christians devote themselves to. But what are the limitations of Christian fellowship? I’ve heard of some people who will open arms in fellowship to anyone no matter what they believe, and I’ve also heard of some who won’t open their arms in fellowship to hardly anyone. But what limitations does the Bible actually place on Christian fellowship? There are 2 main ones that we will highlight in the next 2 articles.

First...

Those who refuse to repent of sin cannot be in Christian fellowship.

This point is clear simply by the definition of fellowship. Fellowship is a relationship we have with God, that we also have with others who have that same relationship with God. But if a persons relationship with God is not what it should be, then they are out of fellowship with Him, and therefore also with us.

In Matthew 18:15-17 Jesus gave instructions on how to talk to those who are in sin. At the end of the 3-step process Jesus gives, he tells us that if this brother/sister refuses to repent and acknowledge their sin, they should not be in fellowship with God’s people anymore. He even uses the the strong language “let them be to you as a gentle or a tax collector.”

Paul outlined a specific situation in Corinth where this needed to be done (1 Corinthians 5). The reality is that fellowship cannot be opened up to those who refuse to repent of their sins. In fact, Paul said, “But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one” (1 Corinthians 5:11).

The difficult reality about Christian fellowship is that it can be lost. If a person can lose fellowship with God, they can also lose fellowship with His people. This is one limitation of fellowship: Those who refuse to repent of sin cannot be in Christian fellowship.

— Kolton Ballance

What is fellowship? (part 2)

In the last article, we identified a good definition for fellowship. “Fellowship is a relationship you have with God, that you also have with others who have that same relationship with God.” While I believe that is a good definition of fellowship, there are some Bible passages that give how fellowship is manifested. Let’s look at few of those passages:

1. Acts 2:42

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.” This passage reveals to us that “the fellowship” is something that baptized believers should devote themselves to. This means that Christian fellowship is a an ongoing and growing devotion to each other and to God.

2. 1 Corinthians 10:16

“Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ?” This word “sharing” is the same greek word for fellowship. The idea is that the Lord’s Supper we take each week is a manifestation of the fellowship we have as Christians. It is a sharing in the memorial meal to remember the sacrifice of Jesus.

3. Philippians 1:5

“In view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.” Paul was thanking God for the Philippians who financially supported him in his mission work (Phil. 4:15). He called it a “participation” (same greek word as fellowship) in the gospel. Supporting good works of the church financially is a form of fellowship among Christians. It enables us to participate together in spreading the gospel.

These passages reveal to us that this special relationship that Christians share called “fellowship” is deeper than just a relationship. It is something that Christians ought to be devoted to. It is a sharing in the remembrance of the Lord Jesus. It is a participation in spreading the gospel together. These little nuances of fellowship show us some of the beauty that surrounds this unique relationship we share in. In the next article, we will look at some of the warnings about Christian fellowship being opened to those who don’t share this unique relationship.

— Kolton Ballance