About 40-50 years ago, times were different. With but few exceptions a congregation could fellowship all other congregations in the area. Without even thinking about it, brethren could send their young people to a youth rally somewhere else without worrying if they would be taught to practice false worship or if those endeavoring to offer up true worship would be mocked. Sisters could attend a Ladies Day for a day of edification without having to ask, “Who is the speaker?” Brethren could support gospel meetings in nearby areas without having to be subjected to an orator who glorified himself instead of preaching Christ crucified. When vacationing, everyone felt secure in the knowledge that there would be a Bible emphasis, a good sermon, and like-minded brethren in that area.
These things are no longer true. Brethren return from their travels with horror stories. Several have mentioned that brethren in various regions have been studying The Purpose-Driven Lifeby Rick Warren, “pastor” of the Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. Some brethren have even studied, in lieu of Sunday evening worship, Warren’s previous best-seller, The Purpose-Driven Church. How sad that some brethren have turned away from a “thus saith the Lord” in favor of the wisdom of men.
We live in a time when fellowship can no longer be extended cart blanche to those calling themselves the church of Christ, for of a certainty some have departed from the faith. But before we examine what the Bible teaches regarding the withholding of fellowship, we ought to consider the seriousness of doing so. Some may find it easy to refrain from extending fellowship, but such an action can never be automatic. It must be the result of an analysis of a particular situation. When information has been gathered and reviewed, then is the time to make such a decision—not before. To understand the extreme nature of denying fellowship, we must understand the value of it.
Fellowship is provided for us by the blood of Christ, and it is conferred upon us when we obey the Gospel. When Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, several good things resulted. Of course, the first and most notable of these is exactly that—the availability of the forgiveness of sins. All are not automatically saved—salvation comes only in response to correctly receiving the gospel.
Once the multitude on the Day of Pentecost believed the message that Peter preached (which indicated their faith), they asked what they should do. Peter mentioned two things that they needed to do if they expected forgiveness of their sins: 1) repent, 2) be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). These are not negotiable. Jesus had already taught: “Unless you repent, you shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Most people do not mind believing, but repentance requires effort. Repentance is about changing one’s actions, one’s speech, one’s attitudes—even the way a person thinks. It also means submitting oneself to the authority of Jesus. Many people want the benefits of Christianity (eternal life), but few are willing to enter by the narrow gate or walk the narrow way that leads there (Matt. 7:13-14).
Equally important (and much easier to do) is to allow oneself to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. No one can be saved who is baptized without faith or repentance first, along with the acknowledgement that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Despite the fact that many people today want to quibble over the importance of baptism, those who gladly received Peter’s word were baptized (Acts 2:41). Fellowship can only be extended to those who have obeyed this gospel. Only one gospel exists, and anyone who teaches another shall be accursed (Gal. 1:8-9). Those who obey are forgiven and made part of the church (Acts 2:47).
Members of the body of Christ are often criticized for being exclusive, but we cannot fellowship as Christians those who have never had their sins washed away. Sprinkling infants (or adults) cannot take away sins—because neither it nor pouring water on someone constitutes baptism. These are manmade traditions that have developed over the years, but by baptism ismeant immersion. Such is the definition of the Greek word. Any lexicon (dictionary of Greek words) will provide this definition. Furthermore, John the baptizer baptized where there was much water available (John 1:29). Why would he need much water—if he was only pouring or sprinkling it on people? Both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and came up out of the water (Acts 8:35-39). This would be a frivolous procedure unless he immersed him. Finally, baptism is referred to as a burial in water (Rom. 6:3-7).
Those who have been sprinkled may be spiritually-minded individuals, who have never been taught the truth; they may have striven to live godly lives, but none of those things can change the definition of baptism nor make a Christian out of someone who has never obeyed the gospel.
Similarly, those who have been taught to say the “sinner’s prayer” have also been misled. Men made up the words to this prayer, and there are infinite variations of it—precisely because it is not in the Bible. Perhaps millions believe that they have been saved, but holding that view does not make it so. For this reason we constantly encourage people to study their Bibles and not rely on the doctrines of men. Many will be lost who have trusted in men, and many are offering God vain worship, also (Matt. 15:8-9).
People like Max Lucado and Rubel Shelly no longer believe the truths just enumerated. They will fellowship as Christians those who have never repented of their sins and been baptized for their forgiveness. They are now teaching a false gospel, which will cause people to be lost, and for that reason they cannot be fellowshipped by conscientious brethren any more.
Thus, those who are members of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12) are special people—because only a few (a small percentage) comprise the body of Christ on earth at any one time. Those who have never been taught or obeyed the truth are not inside; neither are those who care nothing for spiritual matters. Therefore, every brother and sister in the body of Christ is precious. Fellowship is a privilege.
Membership in the church of Christ means a great deal. It means that we are part of a body that was planned from the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4). Many people have counted it an honor to be part of a club or association begun by men. None of those can compare to the church, which was prophesied several centuries ahead of its establishment. No human institution can compare to it; it is of Divine origin. Those who are in it have been cleansed of all sin and have been made righteous. We are true brothers and sisters, who have each other’s best interests at heart.
“Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God!” (1 John 3:1). No one has ever received more love; no greater price has ever been paid than what Jesus paid for the church. We are truly blessed to be part of such a wonderful fellowship. We have the privilege of prayer, forgiveness of sins, the hope of eternal life, and the privilege of serving in the Lord’s army while we remain upon this earth.
We have one body of doctrine, the New Testament, by which we are governed. Some of us are not under a certain set of rules, while others have it easier or harder. We all abide by the same teachings—the apostles’ doctrine, which united all believers when the first-century church was first established (Acts 2:42).
As marvelous as all these blessings are, there is one catch—we must continue to follow Jesus. We cannot give up, go backwards, or quit—and still be saved. The same humble attitude, which brought us into the body of Christ, must be maintained. Bound upon us is the responsibility of “walking in the light” (1 John 1:7). We cannot say, “Well, I’ve been saved; so it doesn’t really matter what I do now. I can attend a religious denomination, or I can be immoral.” Perhaps, people do not say these words—but they live them.
Despite studying with people about salvation and the nature of the church, some will be baptized and attend their denomination, which never taught them the truth about salvation. Will Jesus accept such a disposition? He did not die so that someone could worship with a manmade religious institution. Others who have been baptized live immorally yet convince themselves that they are all right. Did Jesus die so that His people could live in fornication or adultery? He gave Himself so that His followers could be delivered from that kind of corruption. Yet some have two or three children out of wedlock and continue to practice immorality. God cannot fellowship such evil; those who live in such a manner are only deceiving themselves.
Yet there are occasions when fellowship must be denied. It cannot be for frivolous reasons, such as misunderstanding what someone has said or not approving of some inconsequential matter of opinion. The Bible provides a list of reasons for withdrawing of fellowship from brethren. If a brother is sexually immoral (and refuses to repent), then the church cannot continue in that once-cherished relationship (1 Cor. 5:11). The same disposition must be practiced toward those who are covetous, idolaters, revilers, drunkards, or extortioners. These are specifically mentioned, but anything that the Bible defines as a sin, which will not be abandoned, would equally qualify. Those who do not work or provide for themselves or their families likewise were to be withdrawn from (2 Thes. 3:6-15; 1 Tim. 5:8). How sad that brethren will not follow the Lord’s teaching in matters like these by withdrawing fellowship!
Equally damaging to the body of Christ are those teaching false doctrines. Now the Scriptures plainly teach that there is to be no fellowship with those who do not abide in the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9-11). The apostle did not write that fellowship would be all right if the false teacher had a pleasant personality, was popular, wielded great influence, or possessed large sums of money. Does he uphold the truth—or compromise it?
Jesus denounced the Pharisees (Matt. 23) and told others what their false doctrines were (Matt. 22:23-33); He did not seek fellowship with them because they were leading people astray. Some erroneously feel that false teachers can be “loved” into truth. In the seventies there were efforts made to reach denominational preachers; nearly fifty of them (if reports can be believed) obeyed the gospel. In 1984 there was a “unity summit” between preachers in the churches of Christ and Christian Church preachers. Men with an irenic spirit were sought out (irenic in this instance is a Greek word, meaning “no backbone”). Who has heard of a single Christian Church preacher who has been “loved” into the truth during the past twenty years?
A few weeks ago the Metro “Church of Christ” (in Oviedo) added instrumental music to their worship assemblies. Most of their members were already so “loose” that they scarcely noticed a further departure, but it bothered a few—for a while. Other congregations in the area are disturbed over this action, but the question is, “Why have they not been disturbed over other things that have been going on?” On what basis do we excuse some who are guilty of wrongdoing?
Many of the youth meetings in this area involve the practice of clapping hands with singing. Those who are spiritually mature (or who have at least occasionally read the Bible) know that handclapping (in accompaniment to singing) is not authorized as acceptable worship. Whatever is not authorized is sinful. We may only do what God has commanded (Col. 3:17). So why do various congregations allow it? What is the difference between clapping and beating a drum? We should not be surprised that some want to introduce instrumental music when they have already shown approval to vocal sounds in place of singing and the clapping of hands. Young people wonder why they can clap hands on Saturday night or Sunday afternoon at a youth meeting but not in the assembly? There is no reason. If it is authorized during a period of worship on Saturday, it is authorized on Sunday. Why are brethren allowing false teachers to guide young people?
The “Spiritual Growth Workshop” brings to this area every two years a program filled with false teachers. Randall Harris (a blatant Calvinist) was here this past year; he co-wrote The Second Incarnation with Rubel Shelly, which is a book filled with error. Furthermore, he is a professor at ACU, which has been apostate for years. At Sonquest this past October, a man made a mockery of the Lord’s Supper in front of all the teens there (even getting most of them to participate with him), and his message was endorsed by the same person who directs the Spiritual Growth Workshop.
It is time for brethren in this area (including us) to decide if we are going to walk in the light or fellowship darkness. No one can justify bringing Hymenaeus and Philetus to this area when they have been clearly marked as false teachers. It is a violation of New Testament teaching to even invite them. Some of those men do not even believe in baptism for the remission of sins (as discussed earlier in this article), which means they stand accursed. Why would anyone want to invite those accursed by God to teach others? Most of these men do not speak as the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11).
Fellowship is not ours to grant or deny; we can only recognize what Jesus says concerning it. He shed His blood on Calvary; every soul is important to Him. He does not want to lose anyone. He will not, however, allow the unrepentant to continually corrupt His body, the church. He withdraws fellowship from those who persist in sin, and He expects the members of His body to do likewise. If we fail to do so, we are rebelling against Him. May the sheep follow their Shepherd.