Category: Fellowship

Does 1 John 1:7 speak of a perpetual cleansing in Christ’s blood for the Christian? Does “walk” in 1 John 1:6-7 indicate that an isolated sin is any less severe because it is uncharacteristic of one who generally walks in the light?

What does it mean to walk in the light as God is in the light? This first of two articles examines the text of 1 John 1. The following article will consider some misuses of the text.

King Ahaz was described as one encouraging moral decline in Judah. We need to make sure we are not guilty of the same. This article offers some things which encourage moral decline, which we need to steer clear of as children of God.

No one should deny that the Spirit dwells in the Christian. The Bible teaches that the Spirit dwells in us through our faith and acceptance of His word. The Spirit can be said to dwell within us as we manifest the Spirit’s influence upon our lives. The fact that we dwell in the Godhead, and that the Godhead dwells in us, shows the closeness of the fellowship that we have with the Godhead. However, I believe we are in error to take the position that the Holy Spirit literally dwells within us. The Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit all dwell in us through our faith, and operate upon our lives through the word of God.

In 2006 the small group wearing the moniker “Spring Church of Christ” in Spring, Texas hosted their annual “Contending For the Faith Lectureship.” In that year the topic under consideration was “Anti-ism—From God Or Man?” In conjunction with the lectureship series, a lecture book was printed to help further the spread of their intended message. What will follow is a series of articles reviewing portions of that lecture book.

The ultimate basis of Christian fellowship is our standing with God. If we stand with Him, then by extension we stand with one another. “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). When one who claims to be one of His children persists in sin, we who are spiritual have a responsibility to judge him. He no longer is walking in the light, and he is to be marked and avoided as one unworthy of our fellowship.

Do we realize there is a problem in asking if a church is “conservative” or “liberal” when the real question should be to determine if…

1 Kings 18 records a conversation between the great prophet Elijah, and Obadiah, the steward over the house of King Ahab. Despite his close association with the evil king, scripture describes Obadiah as a man who “feared the Lord greatly” (18:3).

A number of lessons can be learned by becoming familiar with these two men, and examining the conversation they had on that eventful day.

The best defense against a false teacher’s poison is spiritual growth (2 Peter 3:18). The word of God reveals the serious nature of erring doctrines (see Deuteronomy 20:16-18). Therefore all doctrines presented must stand the test of the standard of truth. We must put to test all doctrines we hear (Galatians 1:8-9; 1 John 4:1ff). Those doctrines that do not measure up to the Lord’s divine revelation are to be rejected.

It’s a shame that Matthew 18:15-20 is one of the most misused and misapplied passages of Scripture: its true purpose is saving souls!

Issues seem to be more numerous among brethren today than they were two or three decades ago. Denominationalism and Institutionalism were the two main areas of concern when I began to preach the Gospel. Over the last few years, Divorce and Remarriage, the Deity and Humanity of Jesus, AD 70 Doctrine, Days of Creation, plus where to draw the line of fellowship regarding these subjects have become matters of importance that need to be resolved.

Lest one think this whole exercise in speculation is wasted space, let me note that the above statements are merely modified forms of things being said today. Take away the reference to Asa’s opposition to ancient error and replace it with some brother’s opposition to modern error and you’ve got it. Substitute the ridicule or character assassination of some faithful teacher for that of Asa and the words are identical.

Be of the same sentiment as the Bereans of old who “searched the scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). Truth has nothing to fear from honest investigation. We remain open to brotherly discussion of these issues. May we hear from you?

How far have we gotten from old-fashioned Bible study? How far have we gotten from a “thus saith the Lord?” Do we yet speak “as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11)? Do we “speak where the Bible speaks and remain silent where the Bible is silent?” We have always said that “truth has nothing to fear from investigation.” Is this really true or have we been mouthing platitudes all these years while we chide denominationalism for their closed minds? Is your mind open? Will you study these vital issues? Ask your preacher. See what he has to say.

No, brethren, we cannot have fellowship with anyone who is associated with either teaching or practicing iniquity – no matter who they are, no matter where they live, and no matter where they worship or where they preach! We cannot receive him when he doesn’t bring the teaching of Christ (2 John 9-11), and we cannot fellowship him when he disregards scriptural warnings and continues to be involved in the unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:1-14)!

Some have seemingly abandoned the biblical basis for unity – truth believed, taught and practiced (Ephesians 4:1-16). Whether accepted or not, God’s pattern still instructs us about how to handle those who depart in teaching or practice from the doctrine given by Christ, (cf. 2 John 9-11).

Because he views “carnal warfare” as sinful and puts it in Romans 14, Bob Owen believes other sinful matters can fit there as well. He does not put all sin there, but this is arbitrary.

The same brethren who are willing to tolerate those who teach error on fellowship, divorce and remarriage, the creation account or other doctrinal subjects are not willing to discuss and forbear with those who teach and document the truth. While faithful brethren seek to leave the door open for further study and discussion, those claiming greater tolerance show themselves to be the ones who have drawn the line of fellowship excluding faithful brethren. Sad, but predictable.

We encourage all to remember (in discussing the varied scenarios, circumstances and what-ifs), the simple principle which lies at the heart of the matter. God established the home, and intends for a man and woman to honor the commitment they make. It is, One man, One woman, for a lifetime.

Concerning the Bible teaching on Divorce and Remarriage, the truth is clear: One man, one woman, for a lifetime. Jesus established only one exception to this rule, “fornication.” Anyone who does not teach and practice this doctrine must be rejected by those who love truth, and those who desire fellowship with the Lord (cf. 2 John 9-11).