I.        INTRODUCTION

A.      Fellowship is a concept that Christians invoke frequently, but it is not always understood correctly.

                                                             1.      Some make fellowship too restrictive, and others make it too permissive.

                                                             2.      Some have made fellowship to mean that we must agree on everything.

                                                             3.      Others have made fellowship to mean that if we have anything in common, then we are in fellowship.

B.      To clarify our understanding of fellowship, let us consult God’s word on the matter.

II.      WHAT IS FELLOWSHIP?

A.      Consider the definition of fellowship.

                                                             1.      The English word "fellowship” is usually defined as companionship or mutual sharing.  It is literally the quality or state of being a fellow (an equal).

                                                             2.      It is most important for us to understand the Scriptural meaning of fellowship.

a.       Most commonly in the New Testament, the word "fellowship” is translated from the Greek word koinonia, which means "communion, fellowship, sharing in common.”

b.       The Greek word metoche is sometimes also translated as "fellowship,” and it means "partnership.”  This word seems to have a more restrictive sense than koinonia.

B.      To get the true meaning of fellowship, we need to understand the Bible contexts were fellowship is taught.

                                                             1.      If we define fellowship simply as "sharing in common,” then we can say that we have fellowship with anybody in the world on some level, for we share something in common with everybody.

                                                             2.      However, in the various contexts of the Bible, fellowship is not used of ordinary things.  Therefore, we need to examine the Bible contexts to get the proper spiritual understanding.

                                                             3.      We will give attention to three particular passages: 1Corinthians 1:9; 2Corinthians 6:14-18; 1John 1:1-7.

III.   WITH WHOM DO WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP?

A.      Christians have fellowship with Jesus Christ according to 1Corinthians 1:9.

                                                             1.      This passage says, "God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

                                                             2.      The word "fellowship” in this verse is from the Greek koinonia, so it means that Christians are called to share things in common with the Lord Jesus.  What do we share with Him?

a.       The word "Christian” means "an adherent to Christ.”  We are to adhere to and share in the teachings and character of Christ.

b.       We are to follow Christ’s example as a model for our behavior (John 13:15; 1Pet. 2:21).

c.        We are fellow children of God, fellow heirs with Christ, and fellow sufferers with Him (Rom. 8:16-17).

d.       This is not all that we share with Christ, but it is sufficient to demonstrate that having fellowship with Him is a tremendous privilege.

B.      Likewise, Christians have fellowship with God and with one another according to 1John 1:1-7.

                                                             1.      Again, it is the Greek word koinonia in this passage that is translated four times as "fellowship.”

                                                             2.      Notice who is said to have fellowship in this passage.

a.       Those who receive John’s testimony about Christ’s life, death, burial, resurrection, etc., have fellowship with John and the others who give this testimony (v. 3).

b.       Those who witnessed Christ have fellowship with the Father and Christ (v. 3).

c.        If those who receive John’s testimony have fellowship with John, and John has fellowship with the Father and the Son, then those who receive John’s testimony must also have fellowship with the Father and the Son.

d.       Those who either witnessed Jesus firsthand or received the truth taught by John and the other witnesses of Jesus have fellowship with one another (v. 7).

                                                             3.      Notice that the basis of this fellowship between the Father, Christ, and believers in declared in verses 5-7.  It is a matter of "walking in the light.”

a.       God is light, and those who would have fellowship with Him must walk in the light in His likeness.  "Walking in the light” is figurative of living according to the ways of God.

b.       Notice that those who "walk in the darkness” are excluded from the fellowship with God.

i.         "Walking in darkness” is figurative of living in sin (see 1John 1:8-10; 3:7-10).

ii.        There is no darkness (sin) in God.  Darkness has nothing in common with light, and sin has nothing in common with God.

iii.      Christians are to be "children of light” (Eph. 5:8; Matt. 5:14).  We are to have nothing in common with darkness, which is sin.

IV.    WITH WHOM ARE WE NOT TO HAVE FELLOWSHIP?

A.      Just as Christians are not to walk in darkness (sin), neither are they to have fellowship with those who are in sin according to 2Corinthians 6:14-18.

                                                             1.      Both metoche (partnership) and koinonia (fellowship) are used in verse 14.  Righteousness has no partnership with lawlessness, and light has no fellowship with darkness.

                                                             2.      Consider what it means that believers and not to be bound together or unequally yoked with unbelievers (v. 14).

a.       All the contrasts used in verses 14-16 are demonstrating that believers have no fellowship with unbelievers.  Spiritually, they have nothing in common because believers in Christ have forgiveness of sins, while unbelievers are still in sin.

b.       This is a spiritual context and should not be confused with a worldly context.  This passage is not commanding us to withdraw from the world physically (see 1Cor. 5:9-10), but we are to be spiritually separate ("Come out from their midst and be separate…”).

                                                             3.      Paul makes the argument that we are the temple of God, and therefore we are to be holy as God is holy (see 1Cor. 3:16-17; 1Pet. 1:14-16).  That which is holy cannot be a part of what is unclean.

B.      With the simple principle that Christians are to have no spiritual fellowship with sinners, the line of fellowship is clearly drawn.

                                                             1.      If we know the difference between sin and righteousness, then we should be able to determine who may be in fellowship with believers and who may not.

                                                             2.      This seems quite simple, and yet it is the source of such controversy that churches are dividing.

V.      PROBLEM SITUATIONS

A.      Some have advocated fellowship with erring (sinning) Christians.

                                                             1.      The principle defining fellowship in 1John 1 is that those in fellowship must walk in the light.  Whether or not someone has at one time believed and obeyed Christ does not allow for fellowship is he is now walking in darkness.

                                                             2.      Notice 1Corinthians 5:11 – "But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one.”

B.      Some have advocated fellowship with false teachers.

                                                             1.      False teaching certainly falls into the category of sin (2Pet. 2), and so they walk in darkness.  According to the principle of 1John 1, Christians cannot have fellowship with such sinners.

                                                             2.      Those who do not abide in the teaching of Christ have neither the Father nor the Son (2John 9-11).  Because they have no fellowship with the Father or the Son, they cannot possibly have fellowship with Christians.

C.      Some have sought to withdraw fellowship from others because of differences of opinion.

                                                             1.      In this case, the idea of fellowship is made too restrictive.  Fellowship does not require for all Christians to agree on all issues (Rom. 14:1).

                                                             2.      If we disagree with one another on a matter of opinion and not of doctrine, then we may still have fellowship with one another.

VI.    CONCLUSION

A.      The topic of fellowship should not be confusing.

                                                             1.      God is not the author of confusion (1Cor. 14:33).  Confusion on the issue did not come from Him.

                                                             2.      Some define fellowship in a confusing way, calling it a "grey area” that is subjective to those involved with an ever-shifting standard.

B.      The truth is that confusion over fellowship is usually introduced by those who want to be permissive toward sin.

                                                             1.      Usually it is a matter of wanting to accept a sinner who refuses to repent.

                                                             2.      We may choose to embrace a sinner in fellowship, but that will never gain him fellowship with God.  What good is fellowship with man if there is no fellowship with God?