Matters of Fellowship

Learning to Recognize the Fellowship God Creates

Among His People

• I am in Fellowship with Every Person who is in Fellowship with God (1 John 1:1-3).

• God Creates Fellowship and Regulates its Limits (1 Thessalonians 2:12; Revelation 2:5).

• We are not the Arbiters of Fellowship (1 Corinthians 4:1-5).

• We are Charged with Recognizing and Honoring the Limits God has Revealed about His Fellowship (Mark 9:38).

The Extent of Godly Fellowship

Our Goal

Acknowledge Fellowship with Every Person Who is in Fellowship

with God – No More, No Less.

Our Dilemma

How do We Identify Those in Fellowship with God?

With Which Statement am I More Comfortable?

“Some doctrinal diversity must be accepted so that we do not hinder the growth of our congregation.”

“We must continually strive for doctrinal purity even if it limits the

growth of our congregation.”

Two Views of Fellowship

• Inclusive – Fellowship should be recognized as far as conscience allows.

• Exclusive – Fellowship should be rejected for any impurity of doctrine and/or conduct.

What are the strengths and dangers of each?

Practical Questions About Fellowship

• Can my personal conduct influence fellowship? If so, which actions are matter of fellowship?

• Can my beliefs influence fellowship? If so, which doctrines are matters of fellowship?

• Is there ever a time I am allowed to separate from someone who is still in fellowship with God?

• How do matters of my own conscience affect my expression of fellowship with others?

Practical Questions About Fellowship

• When do wrong conclusions become false teaching?

• Is there a difference between my private beliefs and actions and my public ones?

• When must the church apply the corrective discipline of 1 Corinthians 5? How should it be done?

• Can I/Must I withdraw my fellowship from those who have already left?

Practical Questions About Fellowship

• How broadly must Matthew 18 be applied?

• Others?

Bottom Line Issue

Once in covenant, what attitudes, beliefs, and actions can sever my fellowship with

God?