Understanding differing perspectives and ramifications to the practice of fellowship.

1
Fellowship and Practical Perspectives

• Understanding differing perspectives and
  ramifications to the practice of fellowship.

2
Introduction

• In our previous lesson we saw Gods pattern for
  fellowship as seen through the ages
• Establishment, maintenance, breaking, and
  re-establishment of fellowship during the
  Patriarchal age, Mosaic age, and Christian ages.
• This pattern sets the general foundation for
  Gods will in how we practice fellowship while
  living here on earth.
• In this lesson we shall look at the practical
  application of fellowship from varying
  perspectives and its ramifications.

3
Introduction

• While study on a biblical perspective is sound
  and beneficial it does not cover (nor intends to
  cover) all the elements that affect varying
  people regarding fellowship of one another.
• The amount and accuracy of information each
  person has affects how one views another.
• NOTE all this assumes everyone agrees on the
  application of practicing biblical fellowship.

4
Introduction

• In this lesson we shall take a closer look at how
  Christians are involved in practicing fellowship
• Understanding our responsibility in fulfilling
  Gods pattern of fellowship.
• Noting some intricacies involved when people have
  varying degrees of information regarding each
  other that make the practice of fellowship
  difficult when striving for unity.
• How unity can be achieved when all have the same
  belief, information and practice regarding
  fellowship.

5
God Set Forth a Practical Pattern for Fellowship

• The Pattern set forth by God (as noted in the
  previous lesson Fellowship Through the Ages)
• Fellowship established when God creates a man in
  Christ Jesus. Eph. 28-10 (Eph. 424)
• Fellowship maintained when an individual keeps
  the covenant entrusted to him. 1 Jn. 17
• Fellowship broken when an individual forsakes
  God and goes back to the world from where he
  came. Cp. 1 Cor. 54
• Fellowship re-established. Cp. 2 Cor. 21-8

6
God Set Forth a Practical Pattern for Fellowship

• Summary the Pattern for establishing fellowship
  set by God and practiced by man
• A person believes on the Lord and is added by Him
  to His church. Cp. Acts 240-41, 47
• Christians seeing or learning of the fruit of
  believers, have the responsibility of extending
  the right hand of fellowship to the one the Lord
  added to His church. Cp. Gal. 29

7
God Set Forth a Practical Pattern for Fellowship

• When Gods pattern is not practiced, such brings
  strain upon the body
• Brethren had fellowship with Peter but Paul had
  a strained relationship with him, needing to
  rebuke him.
• The church at Corinth at fellowship with a man
  living in sin, while the apostle Paul did not.

8
Difficulties Associated In Practicing Fellowship
In A Unified Manner

• The amount and accuracy of information affects
  the practice of fellowship among Christians.
• God is all knowing and thus has perfect
  understanding of the situation and true
  relationship or non-relationship with an
  individual of this world.
• Christians are limited in knowledge and
  understanding. Acts 926
• Christians also have differing perspectives and
  amounts of longsuffering, thus affecting the
  timing of any potential breaking of fellowship
  from another believer. Cp. Rom. 126

9
Difficulties Associated In Practicing Fellowship
In A Unified Manner

• Example of establishing fellowship Saul (later,
  apostle Paul)
• When Paul called upon the name of the Lord
  (Acts 2216) Jesus added him to His church. Cp.
  Acts 247
• Ananias, after divine intervention and
  persuasion, received Paul and baptized him into
  Christ. Acts Christians extended fellowship to
  him after understanding (recognizing) of Pauls
  conversion. Acts 910-21
• While Christians at Damascus had fellowship with
  Paul, the church at Jerusalem was unaware of his
  conversion and thus initially refused Paul
  fellowship (until they had full and accurate
  knowledge). Acts 926-28

10
Difficulties Associated In Practicing Fellowship
In A Unified Manner

• The differing relationships among brethren affect
  the overall unity of proper fellowship among
  brethren, especially when withdrawing fellowship
  from another
• Family members.
• Christians with very close ties to each other.
• The vantage point of shepherds who must rule over
  the church.

11
Difficulties Associated In Practicing Fellowship
In A Unified Manner

• Example of breaking fellowship from another 1
  Cor. 54 (2 Thess. 36)
• If there is no knowledge of a brother walking
  disorderly then there will be no knowledge to
  fulfill the command of withdrawing from the
  disobedient brother.
• The apostle Paul needed to rebuke brethren for
  not being like-minded in sending out the one
  living in sin. 1 Cor. 55-7
• Whatever their reasons for not withdrawing from
  this brother

12
Biblical answers to Alleviating Difficulties
Regarding Fellowship

• Knowledge of Gods will.
• More studies needed on the biblical application
  to fellowship so we can practice Gods divine
  will on how we relate to one another.
• Without it there can be no proper discernment of
  ones fruit.
• Further, without it there can be no proper
  discernment between ones opinion and the truth
  of Gods word. Cp. 1 Cor. 8 Rom. 14

13
Biblical answers to Alleviating Difficulties
Regarding Fellowship

• More communication needed so that everyone has
  the same amount and accurate information so that
  all can have the same perspectives in our
  day-to-day relationships with one another.
• Without proper communication misunderstanding and
  confusion abound.
• Wrongful accusations could be made. Cp. 1 Tim.
  519

14
Biblical answers to Alleviating Difficulties
Regarding Fellowship

• Love (for God, His word, and your brother) that
  motivates Christians to have proper fellowship.
  Cp. 1 Cor. 81-3
• The love for ones soul desires the establishment
  and maintenance of fellowship with another.
• That same love breaks the heart when having to
  sever the fellowship once had.
• Again, that same love longs for any possible
  re-establishment of fellowship among disobedient
  Christians. Jas. 519

15
Conclusion

• As can be clearly seen, there are many variables
  (many not included in this lesson) that affect
  the varying perspectives of fellowship among
  Christians today.
• May each Christian be aware of these differences
  in light of all striving to practice Gods
  biblical teachings of fellowship.