The Local Church of ChristThe Local Church of Christ

Placing Membership or Placing Membership or Establishing FellowshipEstablishing Fellowship

Establishing “Fellowship”Establishing “Fellowship”

Fellowship means Fellowship means “joint participation or “joint participation or sharing toward a sharing toward a common goalcommon goal– Established by Established by

“common salvation” “common salvation” with:with:

Agreement and mutual Agreement and mutual acceptanceacceptance

– This must first be This must first be established between established between partiesparties

Establishing “Fellowship”Establishing “Fellowship”

In a Local Church….In a Local Church….

Commonality must be Commonality must be establishedestablished

It was right to reject Paul It was right to reject Paul until…. Acts 9:26until…. Acts 9:26

His faith was vouched His faith was vouched forfor

Credentials or Credentials or commendations established commendations established –v.27f–v.27f Barnabas commended Paul to Barnabas commended Paul to

the brethrenthe brethren

Two different situations Two different situations

1) A situation where we have taught a 1) A situation where we have taught a person, brought them to repentance, person, brought them to repentance, confession, and baptism, and he/she is confession, and baptism, and he/she is accepted on the basis of accepted on the basis of observedobserved credentials. credentials. – All can commend such a person to the local All can commend such a person to the local

team or church. team or church.

2) A "Christian" coming from another 2) A "Christian" coming from another congregation congregation

2-3 different categories 2-3 different categories

a) Known by reputation by the members ( no need a) Known by reputation by the members ( no need for letters of commendation -for letters of commendation - (2 (2 Cor.3:1) Cor.3:1)

b) vouched for by a faithful member who knows b) vouched for by a faithful member who knows them (word of mouth recommendation - Acts 9:26-them (word of mouth recommendation - Acts 9:26-30) 30)

c) needing to come with letters of commendation (2 c) needing to come with letters of commendation (2 Cor.3:1)Cor.3:1)– Paul said others NEED letters of commendation,Paul said others NEED letters of commendation,– Paul himself saw a need to send letters of commendation Paul himself saw a need to send letters of commendation

-Rom.16:1-2). -Rom.16:1-2).

Establishing “Fellowship”Establishing “Fellowship”

Fellowship means “joint Fellowship means “joint participation or sharing participation or sharing toward a common goaltoward a common goal– Established by “common Established by “common

salvation” with:salvation” with:Agreement and mutual Agreement and mutual acceptanceacceptance

– This must first be established This must first be established between partiesbetween parties

Fellowship Can Be Broken When…Fellowship Can Be Broken When…

A Member Chooses Sin – 1 Cor.5A Member Chooses Sin – 1 Cor.5– Refuses to repentRefuses to repent– Acting contrary to the agreed team rules and Acting contrary to the agreed team rules and

team goalsteam goals– Our Common Goal WAS:Our Common Goal WAS:

Spread Gospel, Edify, Help to Heaven,Spread Gospel, Edify, Help to Heaven,

Promote Holiness & RighteousnessPromote Holiness & Righteousness

– Now, the member is in need of rebukeNow, the member is in need of rebuke– If no repentance, withdrawal of fellowshipIf no repentance, withdrawal of fellowship

Placing MembershipPlacing Membership

Is making appeal to establish Is making appeal to establish fellowshipfellowshipThree Necessary Things to Three Necessary Things to Establish:Establish:– Credentials of CommonalityCredentials of Commonality– Joining the group with common purposeJoining the group with common purpose– Promoting and helping the common Promoting and helping the common

causecause

Visitors are welcome, but visitors are Visitors are welcome, but visitors are not yet membersnot yet members– Not good to remain just a visitorNot good to remain just a visitor