Fellowship with the family of God and with God Himself is one of the greatest blessings of being a Christian. Fellowship is something that is shared by all faithful Christians the world over. It is comforting and encouraging to know that we have wonderful Christian brothers and sisters from all over the world – most of whom we will never meet until that great day we are united with them for eternity in Heaven!
The word “fellowship” comes from the Greek word koinonia. It is elsewere translated in the King James Version as communion (1Cor.10:16; 2Cor.13:14); communicate (Heb.13:16); or contribution (Rom.15:26). All three usages of the word koinonia suggest commonality of purpose, partnership and interest. This commonality is illustrated by the words of the prophet Amos, Amo.3:3 “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
True Christian fellowship is not just pot-luck dinners, youth activities and social get-togethers. True fellowship goes beyond mere social activity. True fellowship is found in unity of the heart, spirit and understanding which can only come from a mutual acceptance of Biblical authority and a mutual love for the truth. Christian fellowship is not a club to be wielded in order to bend others to our will, as some attempt to misuse it by “witholding” it from those who differ from them in things that are strictly matters of opinion.
Fellowship is not something about which we can arbitrarily make decisions. One does not decide to “fellowship” one person or another. Such conflicts with the Biblical definition of fellowship. Fellowship with other Christians is a by-product of our fellowship with God. Our fellowship is not so much with each other as it is with God. 1Jn.1:3 ”That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”
That fellowship with the Father and the Son is conditioned upon our continued faithful obedience to the gospel –i.e. “walking in the light.” 1Jn.1:6-7 “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” If we do not walk in the light we have no fellowship with God. If we have no fellowship with God, then we have none with those who walk in the light!
If we are in sin, we can have no fellowship with God. Isa.59:1-2 “Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Hab.1:13 “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?”
Since it is impossible for God to be in fellowship those who are in sin, it would stand to reason that a Christian also could not possibly be in true fellowship with those who are in sin. When an individual or even an entire congregation commits sin the chain of fellowship with God and with faithful Christians is broken. Eph.5:11 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” 2Cor.6:14-17 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you...”
Howbeit, this does not mean that fellowship cannot be restored, but there must first be repentance on the part of the transgressor.
The question remains as to how we determine who we are to “fellowship.” We have already noted that we cannot be in fellowship with the works of darkness or unrighteousness. So, in determining fellowship we need to begin by differentiating between darkness and light and between righteousness and unrighteousness. The Bible clearly defines righteousness and godliness. 2Pet.1:3 “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:” The secret to understanding where lines of fellowship are drawn is discovered by a diligent study of God’s Word. 2Tim.2:15 “Study [give diligence -ASV; be diligent -NKJV] to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Discovering lines of fellowship requires careful study and righteous judgment on our part. 1The.5:21-22 “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.” We must be very careful not to give the impression that we “fellowship” error or that we “fellowship” those who practice error. To do that would be the same as bidding them “God speed” (2Jn.1:9-11).
The word “fellowship” comes from the Greek word koinonia. It is elsewere translated in the King James Version as communion (1Cor.10:16; 2Cor.13:14); communicate (Heb.13:16); or contribution (Rom.15:26). All three usages of the word koinonia suggest commonality of purpose, partnership and interest. This commonality is illustrated by the words of the prophet Amos, Amo.3:3 “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
True Christian fellowship is not just pot-luck dinners, youth activities and social get-togethers. True fellowship goes beyond mere social activity. True fellowship is found in unity of the heart, spirit and understanding which can only come from a mutual acceptance of Biblical authority and a mutual love for the truth. Christian fellowship is not a club to be wielded in order to bend others to our will, as some attempt to misuse it by “witholding” it from those who differ from them in things that are strictly matters of opinion.
Fellowship is not something about which we can arbitrarily make decisions. One does not decide to “fellowship” one person or another. Such conflicts with the Biblical definition of fellowship. Fellowship with other Christians is a by-product of our fellowship with God. Our fellowship is not so much with each other as it is with God. 1Jn.1:3 ”That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”
That fellowship with the Father and the Son is conditioned upon our continued faithful obedience to the gospel –i.e. “walking in the light.” 1Jn.1:6-7 “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” If we do not walk in the light we have no fellowship with God. If we have no fellowship with God, then we have none with those who walk in the light!
If we are in sin, we can have no fellowship with God. Isa.59:1-2 “Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Hab.1:13 “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?”
Since it is impossible for God to be in fellowship those who are in sin, it would stand to reason that a Christian also could not possibly be in true fellowship with those who are in sin. When an individual or even an entire congregation commits sin the chain of fellowship with God and with faithful Christians is broken. Eph.5:11 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” 2Cor.6:14-17 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you...”
Howbeit, this does not mean that fellowship cannot be restored, but there must first be repentance on the part of the transgressor.
The question remains as to how we determine who we are to “fellowship.” We have already noted that we cannot be in fellowship with the works of darkness or unrighteousness. So, in determining fellowship we need to begin by differentiating between darkness and light and between righteousness and unrighteousness. The Bible clearly defines righteousness and godliness. 2Pet.1:3 “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:” The secret to understanding where lines of fellowship are drawn is discovered by a diligent study of God’s Word. 2Tim.2:15 “Study [give diligence -ASV; be diligent -NKJV] to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Discovering lines of fellowship requires careful study and righteous judgment on our part. 1The.5:21-22 “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.” We must be very careful not to give the impression that we “fellowship” error or that we “fellowship” those who practice error. To do that would be the same as bidding them “God speed” (2Jn.1:9-11).
True Christian fellowship is a wonderful blessing, but as with all of God’s blessings, it is incumbent upon us to remain faithful. Only then will we be able to share in God’s fellowship throughout eternity.
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