The Fellowship of Churches, Art Odgen (Appendix to Lesson 3)

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Fellowship and Romans 14

The Fellowship of Churches
(Appendix to Lesson 3)
Art Ogden

Brother Art Ogden wrote this fine article on The Fellowship of Churches. It appeared first in Gospel Truths Magazine, February 1991, pages 13-14.

The two quotes from Lesson three of our study on Fellowship were excerpted from this article. I thought you might want to have the entire article for your study.

Fundamental to the Bible concept of fellowship is the idea of association, joint participation, partnership and sharing. Fellowship with God begins when one is called out of darkness into God's marvelous light (Acts 26:18; 1 Peter 2:9) by the gospel (Mark 16:15-16; Colossians 2:14). Man participates by obeying the gospel. God reciprocates by cleansing him (cf. 2 Peter 1:4). God and man become partners, joint participants, in salvation as each shares the benefits of the contributions made. The fellowship continues as man faithfully walks in the light (1 John 1:5-7). This is termed by some as vertical fellowship.

Fellowship with God is essential before considering any type of horizontal associations (2 Corinthians 6:14). Our communion as brethren cannot rightfully exist without the parties involved being in fellowship with God (Galatians 2:9; Ephesians 6:11; Philippians 2:1; 1 John 1:3; 2 John 9-11). Individuals and churches must withdraw fellowship from those who do not walk in communion with God (1 Timothy 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Thessalonians 3:6)

Congregational Fellowship

This study centers around the fellowship scripturally authorized for the local church. The local church by its very nature is designed for fellowship (Acts 2:42-44; 1 Corinthians 1:2,9). Local Christians sustain an equal relationship or partnership with the Lord (Acts 2:41,47) and each other (Acts 2:42-46; Galatians 3:28). As a congregation, members are drawn together to do together those things required of God to be done together as a body (cf. Acts 4:23-27; 6:16; 15:4, 22). Each congregation exists as if it were the only church on earth (cf. Acts 11:27-30; 13:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8) and sustains equal responsibility for the work ordained of God (Ephesians 2:10; 4:12).

Local churches are commanded to withdraw fellowship from those walking disorderly (1 Corinthians 5; 2 Thessalonians 3:6). Congregations withdraw fellowship, and they extend it. Saul desired to join the disciples at Jerusalem but was refused acceptance because they were afraid of him (Acts 9:26). Barnabas afterward convinced them to accept him (vv. 27-28). Later, Saul and Barnabas were identified with the church in Antioch (Acts 11:26; 13:1).

Who determines the acceptance or rejection of one into fellowship? The congregation determines it (cf. Acts 9:26; 1 Corinthians 5:4-5). For this reason, the local church may accept someone into their fellowship the Lord does not recognize, and may refuse to fellowship someone the Lord accepts.

The Fellowship of Worship

One of the requirements of the local congregation is worship. We must worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). The church at Corinth observed the Lord's supper (1 Corinthians 11:20,33), sang, prayed, edified one another (1 Corinthians 14:15,26), and gave as prospered (1 Corinthians 16:2) when the church assembled (1 Corinthians 11:17; 14:23). In Troas, the local disciples came together to break bread and were joined by visiting disciples (Acts 20:7). Christians are warned not to forsake assembling together (Hebrews 10:25). Each Christian is responsible for his own relationship to the Lord, and he is also responsible for his participation with other Christians when the local church worships. One united voice is offered as praise to God by many Christians having fellowship together as they commune with God (1 Corinthians 10:16-17, 21; 2 Corinthians 13:14). Worship involves the Christian in both vertical and horizontal fellowship.

Every congregation worshipping God according to His dictates has fellowship with Him. While the congregations are not participating together in the worship, they are concurrently having vertical fellowship with God in worship.

Fellowship In Evangelism

Paul said, For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things (Romans 15:27). He spoke in reference to the saints in Jerusalem who were responsible for sending the gospel into the world. Gentile Christians benefitted from the gospel communicated by Jewish Christians. It was reasonable to expect the Gentiles to reciprocate. The Jerusalem church made the Gentiles partners through the preaching of the gospel.

Each congregation once established acted upon its own power in spreading the gospel. The Thessalonian church quickly accepted their responsibility and became an example to the churches in Macedonia and Achaia (1 Thessalonians 1:6-8). These churches, coexisting and performing their duty in evangelism, shared (had fellowship) in the preaching of the gospel, though each acted independently of the other.

Paul thanked God for the Philippians and their "fellowship in the gospel from the first day" (Philippians 1:5). They had fellowship with Paul by sending to his necessities from time to time. He said, "Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity" (Philippians 4:15-16). The words communicate and fellowship are from the same root word in Greek. The Philippians had fellowship with Paul in preaching the gospel by sending to his physical necessities (Philippians 2:25; 4:18). The scope of Paul's fellowship with other churches grew. At first, only Philippi sent to his necessities but, later, he "robbed other churches, taking wages of them" (2 Corinthians 11:8). Each church supporting Paul had fellowship with him.

*Congregations supporting gospel preachers are having fellowship with them in their work. One is the giver. The other is the receiver. Churches, coexisiting and functioning in evangelism by supporting the same evangelist, share (have fellowship) in the preaching of the gospel, though each functions independently of the others. They are concurrently having fellowship with the same preacher.

Fellowship in Benevolence

Sharing with other saints in need was a part of the fellowship of church from the beginning. The believers "were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need" (Acts 2:44-45). Brethren sold houses and lands laying the proceeds at the apostles' feet for distribution among the needy saints (Acts 4:34-37). Finally, seven deacons were appointed to see that the needs of Christians were equally supplied (Acts 6:1-6). They had all things common, meaning, they shared their possessions. Some gave and some received. In this way they had fellowship in giving and receiving (cf. Philippians 4:15). Since the money was laid at the apostles' feet, a common treasury, the assistance given became the function of the local church in seeing that the needs of its members were fulfilled. It is the responsibility of the local church to care for those who fall under the church's jurisdiction (1 Timothy 5:16).

In times of need, churches had fellowship with other churches. When news came to Antioch that a famine was forecast, the church collected relief for their brethren in Judea (Acts 11:27-30). The funds were delivered by Barnabas and Saul to the elders in Judea. Antioch, the sending church, had fellowship with the receiving churches in Judea (cf. Galatians 1:22; Philippians 4:15). This is an example of one church having fellowship with many. (We do not know how many but, more than one).

On the other hand, many churches had fellowship with one church by sending relief to their needy members. The collections sent by the churches of Macedonia and Achaia for the poor saints at Jerusalem was called "the fellowship of the ministering to the saints" (2 Corinthians 8:4). Paul explained to the Romans that the contributions were a means of repaying the Jews for their partnership in the gospel (Romans 15:26-27).

These examples in benevolence demonstrate fellowship between the sender(s) and the receptor(s). Churches, coexisting and functioning in benevolence by sending to the needy in another church, share (have fellowship) in the assistance given, though each functions independently of the others. They concurrently have fellowship with the same churches.

Conclusion

*The fellowship of churches may be summed up under two headings: that within and that without. The fellowship within includes that fellowship extended (or withdrawn) to individuals, our worship of God together, and our functioning together in the work ordained of God that we do as a church. The fellowship without includes that fellowship extended by the congregation in supporting the preaching of the gospel in other places and in assisting needy saints outside the local church.

Every work undertaken must be done in the name of the Lord (Colossians 3:17; James 4:12). Having fellowship in unscriptural works or in unauthorized schemes is sinful regardless of how noble the cause (2 John 9). Efforts to centralize works through sponsoring churches and outside organizations are without divine authority. Having fellowship with those participating in such schemes is sinful (2 John 9-11). Let us always make sure that our fellowship is biblically directed.

* Red type signifies the two passages excerpted from this article into Lesson three of our study on Fellowship.



Contact Stan! Join Our Mailing List! Home Page Sermons Have you taken time to hear one of Stan's sermons in streaming audio? Listen, and follow the presentation with his sermon charts! Palm Content You can now read each issue of our Sound Teaching bulletin on your Palm or other PDA device. Check here to find out how! Study Material These TV outlines, bulletin articles, and other special studies. There are reams of beneficial material here.	The Fellowship of Churches (Appendix to Lesson 3) Art Ogden Brother Art Ogden wrote this fine article on The Fellowship of Churches. It appeared first in Gospel Truths Magazine, February 1991, pages 13-14. The two quotes from Lesson three of our study on Fellowship were excerpted from this article. I thought you might want to have the entire article for your study. Fundamental to the Bible concept of fellowship is the idea of association, joint participation, partnership and sharing. Fellowship with God begins when one is called out of darkness into God's marvelous light (Acts 26:18; 1 Peter 2:9) by the gospel (Mark 16:15-16; Colossians 2:14). Man participates by obeying the gospel. God reciprocates by cleansing him (cf. 2 Peter 1:4). God and man become partners, joint participants, in salvation as each shares the benefits of the contributions made. The fellowship continues as man faithfully walks in the light (1 John 1:5-7). This is termed by some as vertical fellowship. Fellowship with God is essential before considering any type of horizontal associations (2 Corinthians 6:14). Our communion as brethren cannot rightfully exist without the parties involved being in fellowship with God (Galatians 2:9; Ephesians 6:11; Philippians 2:1; 1 John 1:3; 2 John 9-11). Individuals and churches must withdraw fellowship from those who do not walk in communion with God (1 Timothy 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Thessalonians 3:6) Congregational Fellowship This study centers around the fellowship scripturally authorized for the local church. The local church by its very nature is designed for fellowship (Acts 2:42-44; 1 Corinthians 1:2,9). Local Christians sustain an equal relationship or partnership with the Lord (Acts 2:41,47) and each other (Acts 2:42-46; Galatians 3:28). As a congregation, members are drawn together to do together those things required of God to be done together as a body (cf. Acts 4:23-27; 6:16; 15:4, 22). Each congregation exists as if it were the only church on earth (cf. Acts 11:27-30; 13:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8) and sustains equal responsibility for the work ordained of God (Ephesians 2:10; 4:12). Local churches are commanded to withdraw fellowship from those walking disorderly (1 Corinthians 5; 2 Thessalonians 3:6). Congregations withdraw fellowship, and they extend it. Saul desired to join the disciples at Jerusalem but was refused acceptance because they were afraid of him (Acts 9:26). Barnabas afterward convinced them to accept him (vv. 27-28). Later, Saul and Barnabas were identified with the church in Antioch (Acts 11:26; 13:1). Who determines the acceptance or rejection of one into fellowship? The congregation determines it (cf. Acts 9:26; 1 Corinthians 5:4-5). For this reason, the local church may accept someone into their fellowship the Lord does not recognize, and may refuse to fellowship someone the Lord accepts. The Fellowship of Worship One of the requirements of the local congregation is worship. We must worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). The church at Corinth observed the Lord's supper (1 Corinthians 11:20,33), sang, prayed, edified one another (1 Corinthians 14:15,26), and gave as prospered (1 Corinthians 16:2) when the church assembled (1 Corinthians 11:17; 14:23). In Troas, the local disciples came together to break bread and were joined by visiting disciples (Acts 20:7). Christians are warned not to forsake assembling together (Hebrews 10:25). Each Christian is responsible for his own relationship to the Lord, and he is also responsible for his participation with other Christians when the local church worships. One united voice is offered as praise to God by many Christians having fellowship together as they commune with God (1 Corinthians 10:16-17, 21; 2 Corinthians 13:14). Worship involves the Christian in both vertical and horizontal fellowship. Every congregation worshipping God according to His dictates has fellowship with Him. While the congregations are not participating together in the worship, they are concurrently having vertical fellowship with God in worship. Fellowship In Evangelism Paul said, For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things (Romans 15:27). He spoke in reference to the saints in Jerusalem who were responsible for sending the gospel into the world. Gentile Christians benefitted from the gospel communicated by Jewish Christians. It was reasonable to expect the Gentiles to reciprocate. The Jerusalem church made the Gentiles partners through the preaching of the gospel. Each congregation once established acted upon its own power in spreading the gospel. The Thessalonian church quickly accepted their responsibility and became an example to the churches in Macedonia and Achaia (1 Thessalonians 1:6-8). These churches, coexisting and performing their duty in evangelism, shared (had fellowship) in the preaching of the gospel, though each acted independently of the other. Paul thanked God for the Philippians and their "fellowship in the gospel from the first day" (Philippians 1:5). They had fellowship with Paul by sending to his necessities from time to time. He said, "Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity" (Philippians 4:15-16). The words communicate and fellowship are from the same root word in Greek. The Philippians had fellowship with Paul in preaching the gospel by sending to his physical necessities (Philippians 2:25; 4:18). The scope of Paul's fellowship with other churches grew. At first, only Philippi sent to his necessities but, later, he "robbed other churches, taking wages of them" (2 Corinthians 11:8). Each church supporting Paul had fellowship with him. Congregations supporting gospel preachers are having fellowship with them in their work. One is the giver. The other is the receiver. Churches, coexisiting and functioning in evangelism by supporting the same evangelist, share (have fellowship) in the preaching of the gospel, though each functions independently of the others. They are concurrently having fellowship with the same preacher. Fellowship in Benevolence* Sharing with other saints in need was a part of the fellowship of church from the beginning. The believers "were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need" (Acts 2:44-45). Brethren sold houses and lands laying the proceeds at the apostles' feet for distribution among the needy saints (Acts 4:34-37). Finally, seven deacons were appointed to see that the needs of Christians were equally supplied (Acts 6:1-6). They had all things common, meaning, they shared their possessions. Some gave and some received. In this way they had fellowship in giving and receiving (cf. Philippians 4:15). Since the money was laid at the apostles' feet, a common treasury, the assistance given became the function of the local church in seeing that the needs of its members were fulfilled. It is the responsibility of the local church to care for those who fall under the church's jurisdiction (1 Timothy 5:16). In times of need, churches had fellowship with other churches. When news came to Antioch that a famine was forecast, the church collected relief for their brethren in Judea (Acts 11:27-30). The funds were delivered by Barnabas and Saul to the elders in Judea. Antioch, the sending church, had fellowship with the receiving churches in Judea (cf. Galatians 1:22; Philippians 4:15). This is an example of one church having fellowship with many. (We do not know how many but, more than one). On the other hand, many churches had fellowship with one church by sending relief to their needy members. The collections sent by the churches of Macedonia and Achaia for the poor saints at Jerusalem was called "the fellowship of the ministering to the saints" (2 Corinthians 8:4). Paul explained to the Romans that the contributions were a means of repaying the Jews for their partnership in the gospel (Romans 15:26-27). These examples in benevolence demonstrate fellowship between the sender(s) and the receptor(s). Churches, coexisting and functioning in benevolence by sending to the needy in another church, share (have fellowship) in the assistance given, though each functions independently of the others. They concurrently have fellowship with the same churches. Conclusion The fellowship of churches may be summed up under two headings: that within* and that without. The fellowship within includes that fellowship extended (or withdrawn) to individuals, our worship of God together, and our functioning together in the work ordained of God that we do as a church. The fellowship without includes that fellowship extended by the congregation in supporting the preaching of the gospel in other places and in assisting needy saints outside the local church. Every work undertaken must be done in the name of the Lord (Colossians 3:17; James 4:12). Having fellowship in unscriptural works or in unauthorized schemes is sinful regardless of how noble the cause (2 John 9). Efforts to centralize works through sponsoring churches and outside organizations are without divine authority. Having fellowship with those participating in such schemes is sinful (2 John 9-11). Let us always make sure that our fellowship is biblically directed. * Red type signifies the two passages excerpted from this article into Lesson three of our study on Fellowship.