Fellowship

The word "fellowship" is found many times throughout the Bible. We are called unto the fellowship of Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 1:9). We are also admonished to refrain from fellowshipping with those that are not believers and workers of unrighteousness. In this lesson, we hope to establish what bonds are created between the fellowship of born-again believers and also point out those that the believers are not to include in their fellowship.

1. WHAT DOES THE WORD "FELLOWSHIP" MEAN? - There are three Greek words used for fellowship in the New Testament.
   1. KOINONIA - meaning "close association; communion; close relationship". It is the most frequently used word for fellowship. This speaks of the act of using a thing in common.
   2. METOCHE - "partnership; a holding with; a sharing".
   3. SUGKO - to be "a joint partaker with".
2. WITH WHOM ARE WE TO FELLOWSHIP? - There are two aspects of fellowship found in the word of God. In order for the benefit of fellowship to be complete, it is imperative that we be active participants in both aspects.
   1. First, you must be in fellowship with God. This is expressed through prayer, praise, worship, and obedience to God.
      1. Our fellowship is with the Father (I John 1:3).
      2. "Called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord" (I Corinthians 1:9).
      3. "Fellowship of the Spirit" (Philippians 2:1).
   2. Then, you must be in fellowship with the body of believers. It is vital, both for the body of Christ and the individual believer, for fellowship to be a part of church life.
      1. "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another" (I John 1:7).
      2. The fellowship of believers is to prosper both the individual and the body of Christ in two ways: spiritually and practically. Acts 2:42-47 gives us a pattern for fellowship. We are to:
         1. Be diligent and consistent in hearing the Word of God (Acts 2:42).
         2. Have fellowship in Communion (Acts 2:42, 47; I Corinthians 10:16, 17).
         3. Continue in fellowship with prayer (Acts 2:42, james 5:16).
         4. Have all things in common (speaking of material wealth) (Acts 2:44, 45; 4:35; Romans 12:13).
         5. Be on one accord with singleness of heart (having no discord or strife) Acts 2:46).
         6. Abound in praise and thanksgiving (Acts 2:47).

      Fellowship does not only meet the spiritual needs of life. It meets social needs as well (Acts 2:46; Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:16). God intended that the Church have a balanced lifestyle that would minister to every area of human needs.

   3. FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD AND THE BRETHREN GO HAND-IN-HAND.
      1. Must have fellowship with God in order to have true fellowship with one another (I John 1:6, 7).
      2. Love for brethren must accompany love for God (I John 4:20, 21).
3. WITH WHOM ARE WE NOT ALLOWED TO FELLOWSHIP?
   1. Unclean or satanic spirits (I Corinthians 10:20).
   2. Those or unrighteousness or darkness (II Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:11).
   3. False religions (II Peter 2).
   4. False teaching (II John 9-11; Galatians 1:6-12).
   5. Fornicators (those who have illicit sexual relationships) (I Corinthians 5:9-13).
   6. Those who are covetous (those who are incordinately desirous or greedy) (I Corinthians 5:9-13).
   7. Extortionists (those who obtain from others by abuse of authority or oppression) (I Corinthians 5:9-13).
   8. Idolators (those who are inordinately fond of a person or thing) (I Corinthians 5:9-13).
   9. Railers (those who are scornful or use abusive language ) (I Corinthians 5:9-13).
   10. Drunkards (those who drink habitually) (I Corinthians 5:9-13).
4. WHAT ARE REASONS FOR BREAKING FELLOWSHIP?
   1. Heretical teaching and practices (Titus 3:10; Romans 16:17).
   2. If a brother walks disorderly (II Thessalonians 3:6).
   3. Differences in doctrine are not reasons for breaking fellowship unless it deters or attacks the basic foundation of redemption found in the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:1-13).

We cannot and must not receive anyone into our local church or fellowship who is not in Christ. The basis of true fellowship is the fact that a person has already been received into the body of Christ.

Fellowship

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