Study:
Governing Principles in Biblical Fellowship
Bro. Aby Kuruvilla Mumbai
Biblical fellowship is not simply friendship or socializing. Let us briefly study this topic under the following headings:
a. Fellowship between a believer and God
b. Fellowship of the local church
c. Fellowship with other believers
d. Fellowship with unbelievers
1. Fellowship between a believer and God
“And truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” – 1 John 1:3. The first and foremost fellowship a believer has is with God. This fellowship is desired and initiated by God who has called us unto the fellowship of his Son (1 Cor. 1:9). It is a fellowship of intimacy that will be perfected on that day when the Bridegroom will return for his Bride (John 15; 17:23,24).
John emphasizes here on both the Father and the Son to counter false teachings against the deity of Jesus Christ. In this dispensation, without acknowledging the person of Christ Jesus, one cannot truly claim fellowship with God (Heb. 1:1).
Fellowship with God needs no mediator in a human or ‘saint’, for through Christ we have access by one Spirit unto the Father (Eph. 2:18).
If this fellowship is affected due to sin or the lack of communion, the other areas of fellowship will also be weakened.
2. Fellowship of the local church
“[Christ] is the head of the body, the church” – Col. 1:18. He must be preeminent in the corporate fellowship of the saints. Not a doctrine, such as “Baptists”; not a human name, such as “Lutheran”; not an ideology, such as “Protestant”; not even “Brethren”. The scriptures simply teach that we are to be gathered unto His name (Matt. 18:20).
Christ being the chief corner stone, the assembly is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets (Eph. 2:20). Assembly fellowship is characterized by saved and baptized believers who steadfastly continue in the apostles’ doctrine. John concurs that this is a fellowship of truth – “that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us” (1 John 1:3). Notice the order of things in Acts 2:42 – “the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread.” This order must not be changed for relations, ritualism, or for the reputed.
Practically, they who are welcomed to the fellowship must be ready to submit to the doctrine upheld by the assembly. Note, that they are welcomed to the fellowship and not the table (Acts 9:26-28). The Lord’s Supper is not an open table.
John describes three failures (or, in his words, ‘darkness’) arising out of deception that affects the sanctity of the fellowship – personal failure (1 John 1:6-10), doctrinal failure (1 John 2:8,19-23; 4:1) and social failure (1 John 2:11; 3:7-12). The sanctity of the fellowship must be maintained in all aspects because the Lord dwells in the midst.
3. Fellowship with other believers
Every true believer is part of the body of Christ, and therefore, is in fellowship with every other believer, having been united by the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 4:4).
However, with the spread of Christianity over the centuries, denominations have also increased (Matt. 13:32). Consequently, we need to be careful of our like-mindedness in doctrine to have a meaningful spiritual fellowship.
3.1. Believers who differ in doctrine
While some may have good relationships with those who differ in doctrine, areas such as spiritual meetings, ministry, marriage, etc. require the parties to agree in doctrine for a spiritually compatible functioning (Matt. 9:17; 2 Cor. 6:14; Amos 3:3; Matt. 18:19).
Spiritual endeavours without compatibility in doctrine will have limitations and contrasts. If their gospel is not the same as what we preach (Gal. 1:6-9), or if their church is not likeminded, the ministry is weakened, and its eventual purposes are not fully realized. We are not to join hands, especially, with those practising false doctrines. “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness” (Eph. 5:6-13; Gal. 3:1; 2 Cor. 2:17; 2 John 11).
3.2. Believers who are likeminded in doctrine
In the apostolic times, like-minded churches were in happy fellowship with each other, although each local church was autonomous. Notice how apostle Paul could collectively address the “churches” (2 Thess. 2:14; Gal. 1:1). They were all receptive to the teaching of the apostles.
Practically, this was seen in how they received saints, provided help to the needy, partnered in the work of the gospel, etc. (Rom. 16:2; 3 John 8; 2 Cor. 8:1-4; Phil. 1:5). This was a fellowship of love enjoyed under the yoke of doctrine.
4. Fellowship with unbelievers
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” – 2 Cor. 6:14.
Having been brought into a fellowship of holiness with God and his people, we must not get entangled in partnerships with the world. This is not just a word of advice, but a command for believers to follow.
This doesn’t mean we do not keep any contact with the world. We are to keep ‘company’ (i.e. ‘to mingle’ or ‘associate’) with them (1 Cor. 5:9,10). But let us remember we have been chosen ‘out of the world’ and are not ‘of the world’ (John 15:19).
Conclusion:
Biblical fellowship is broadly governed by the principles of intimacy, truth, love and holiness. Let us examine if our fellowship is rightly based and God-honouring.
