Fellowship is a word that we often hear, but a topic that we do not hear discussed as often. When we discuss fellowship, we must understand the basis for our fellowship. Why do we have fellowship with one another? That question leads us to another question: Why do we not have fellowship with certain ones? This is the question many are uncomfortable with or are uninterested in discussing. So we frequently hear of fellowship, but not about fellowship. In this article, we will discuss fellowship, the basis for it, and the dangers of being too loose or restrictive in it.
What is Fellowship?
As much as people talk about fellowship, many do not have a proper understanding of what it is. Many have the concept that fellowship is merely social interaction (i.e. common meals, games, etc.). If this were true, we could never associate with non-Christians because of what Paul told the brethren in Corinth: “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14). This verse teaches we must not have fellowship with unbelievers. This cannot mean mere social interaction, for then we would have to “go out of the world” (1 Corinthians 5:10).
We need to determine how the Bible describes the concept of fellowship. The word comes from the Greek word koinonia, which means partnership or participation (Strong’s). It describes the situation of individuals who are working together in spiritual matters. We can see this when we look at a few passages that talk about fellowship. James, Cephas, and John gave Paul and Barnabas “the right hand of fellowship” as they labored in preaching the gospel (Galatians 2:9). Paul was thankful for the Philippians for their “participation (fellowship, KJV) in the gospel” (Philippians 1:5). The Macedonians begged Paul for “the favor of participation (fellowship, KJV) in the support of the saints” (2 Corinthians 8:4). When the Bible speaks of fellowship, it is talking about Christians working together (jointly participating) in a spiritual work.
The Basis for Fellowship
We can have fellowship with God and with one another. But on what basis do we have fellowship? John answered that question:
“This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:5-7).
Our fellowship with God is dependent upon us walking in the Light. That is, we must live our lives according to His word which is our source of light (Psalm 119:105). If we do not do this, but rather “walk in darkness,” then we do not have fellowship with God. Understanding the Biblical definition of fellowship (partnership, joint participation), how is it that we work together with God? We are doing the works He gave us to do – those “good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). We are helping to fulfill His desire on the earth.
Fellowship with one another is based upon our fellowship with God. It is only natural that if we have fellowship with God, we will have fellowship with His people – those of “like precious faith” (2 Peter 1:1). Many believe we can have fellowship with one another based simply on our belief in Christ. But John said this fellowship is for those who are cleansed by the blood of Christ (1 John 1:7). This means it is not just for believers, but for baptized believers. Our sins are washed away in baptism (Acts 22:16) because it is then that we contact the blood of Christ, the source of cleansing (Ephesians 1:7). But it is not just for those who have been baptized either, but for those who continue to “walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light” (1 John 1:7).
The basis for our fellowship with God is our keeping the teachings of His word. We have fellowship with one another on the same basis. However, many are either too loose or too strict in deciding with whom they will have fellowship. Let us consider the dangers with both of these.
Being too Loose in our Fellowship
The unity in diversity doctrine has overwhelmed the denominational world. It is growing in popularity among those in churches of Christ as well. John warned of the danger in having fellowship with those who do not have fellowship with God:
“Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds” (2 John 9-11).
What happens when we receive and support one who does not “have God” or does not have fellowship with God? We participate (from the Greek word koinonia) with him. When we have fellowship with one in darkness, we share (NKJV) in evil. As a result, we are now in darkness and no longer have fellowship with God (1 John 1:6). We must be very careful to not be guilty of having fellowship with one who does not have fellowship with God.
We are not to have fellowship with false teachers. Remember what John said: “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house” (2 John 10). Instead of overlooking the error in order to be able to receive a false teacher, Paul told the Romans, “Keep you eye on those (mark them, KJV) who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them” (Romans 16:17).
What about those who may not teach error, but will not preach “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27)? There are preachers who are quite popular and well-known and have become such – at least in part – by not preaching on topics that are potentially offensive, controversial, or difficult. Can we receive such men? No! Notice who John warned his audience about: “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist” (2 John 7). John did not say the deceivers were those who denied that Jesus came in the flesh (though there were some in his day who did). He said the deceivers were those who simply did not teach that Jesus came in the flesh. They were not openly teaching error (denying), but they also were not teaching the truth and refuting the error. How many gospel preachers do this today? They may not teach error, but they avoid whatever issues they believe may cause some trouble. We must preach “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). If a man “does not bring this teaching, do not receive him” (2 John 10). We are not to have fellowship with those who will not teach the whole truth.
We are also not to have fellowship with those who are disobedient to God and are living in darkness (1 John 1:6). Paul told the Thessalonians, “Keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us” (2 Thessalonians 3:6). Regarding one who was living in sin, Paul told the Corinthians, “I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person” (1 Corinthians 5:11). He went on to say, “Remove the wicked man from among yourselves” (1 Corinthians 5:13).
Because “God is Light,” we must not have fellowship with those in darkness, whether they are false teachers, teachers who fail to bring the whole truth, or those living in sin. We must not extend the bounds of fellowship beyond what has been outlined in God’s word.
Being too Restrictive in our Fellowship
While we need to be careful to not have fellowship with the “unfruitful works of darkness” (Ephesians 5:11, KJV), we should not become too strict and refuse to fellowship those who have fellowship with God. John pointed out one man who did this:
“I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church” (3 John 9-10).
In the next verse, John wrote, “Do not imitate what is evil” (3 John 11), implying that what Diotrephes was doing was evil. Because he was doing evil, he was in darkness. As a result, he lost his fellowship with God. What did he do that was evil? He did not accept the apostles’ teaching, would not receive those who brought the apostles’ teaching, and withdrew fellowship from those who wanted to receive the faithful brethren. He was refusing to have fellowship with those who were in fellowship with God.
How might one do this today? One way is by enforcing certain “tests of fellowship” that have been invented by men. We sometimes call this “binding where God has not bound.” God’s word already provides us with a God-given test of fellowship – whether one is in light or darkness (1 John 1:5-7). We must not add to God’s word. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for requiring the disciples to observe the “tradition of the elders” (Matthew 15:2). He said of them, “In vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men” (Matthew 15:9). Some in the first century church were teaching, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved” (Acts 15:1). In the discussion that followed, the conclusion was that the Gentiles were “saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 15:11), just as the Jews were. Therefore, no one had any right to place more requirements upon the disciples than the Lord did.
One might also be too restrictive in his fellowship by refusing to accept those who bring the whole truth. If this happens, it is usually because this one wants to fellowship those whom he should not. Because he wants to be loose in his fellowship, he does not want men to come in and condemn either his erring friends or him for continuing to have fellowship with them. Paul warned Timothy of a time when men would “not endure sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:3). But Timothy was responsible to “preach the word” anyway (2 Timothy 4:2). When brethren refuse to have fellowship with one who preaches the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) instead of just what is popular, they are no better than Diotrephes. We ought to have fellowship with those who “walk in the Light” (1 John 1:7) because these are the ones who enjoy fellowship with God.
Conclusion
Our primary goal needs to be having fellowship with God. A byproduct of this will be fellowship with others who are in fellowship with God. We must strive to maintain harmony with others of like faith, but we must also respect the limits of fellowship placed upon us by God’s word. How do we have fellowship with God and His people? Ultimately, it comes down to what John wrote: “If we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
