Posts Tagged ‘fellowship’
Should people be checked out before accepting them in a congregation?
Question: I believe that there is a certain amount of due diligence necessary when a person, a couple, or a family move into the area and want to become members of a local congregation of the Lord’s church. What do you recommend? What do you do? One scripture that comes to mind is II John…
Read MoreFellowship: A Word Study
by Becky Rene It is essential at this point that we understand how our spiritual fellowship is expressed. So we will take the time to examine the noun “fellowship” (koinonia) in all the contexts in which it appears. Some of the verses are difficult to understand because the translators have translated the noun koinonia as if it…
Read MoreCross Congregational Fellowship
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Christians do travel. This is an obvious statement, but it needs to be pointed out because it raises issues we don’t often consider. A Christian drops in on a congregation while in town for business. It is common for brethren to invite him over for a meal so they can get…
Read MoreWhat do you say about guilt by association in regards to fellowship?
Question: What do you say about guilt by association in the fellowship problem? We have some friends who worship in a congregation that had someone at their lectureships, although they do don’t support marriage with intent, and when he speaks they didn’t go to support him. Now we do not believe this person’s doctrine, but…
Read MoreCan we have meals in the building since eating together is an expression of fellowship?
Question: Someone has been arguing with me about fellowship and they say it is okay to have meals together in the building because eating together is an expression of fellowship. He says, “If eating together and having fun together is not an expression of fellowship, then what is it?” He says we do these things…
Read MoreCan those who teach institutionalism or liberalism be called brethren?
Question: Can you please help me? I am a preacher of the gospel who is striving to teach and practice the truth. I respect the God-given work of the church and I do have a problem with churches doing what is not authorized in the Bible as far as using the church funds. Is it…
Read MoreCan you explain Hebrews 13:16 in terms of fellowship?
Question: So now I am having trouble with Hebrews 13:16. He says, “But to do good and to communicate forget not”. The words “to communicate” are the word Koinonia (fellowship). So he is saying “But to do good and to fellowship forget not”. So what does he mean by telling them to fellowship? Other translations…
Read MoreCan you explain Philippians 3:10?
Question: I am still studying all about fellowship. It is a very interesting study. Now I think I understand what you have been saying that fellowship (koinonia) is a noun and it helps to think of it like we do the word “friendship.” So if two people are friends, they are friends based on their…
Read MoreThe Ten Commandments on How to Get Along with Each Other
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/TenCommandmentsOnHowToGetAlong1.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Introduction A. No man is an island 1. We cannot exist alone. We are in constant need of contact with other people. 2. In order to get along in this world, we must get along with others. B. As Christians, our main purpose should be to bring more souls to Christ 1. How can we…
Read MoreWhat about the contribution mentioned in Romans 15:26? Isn’t that making fellowship?
Question: What you have said has been very helpful and I am growing in my understanding now. This is what you said: “Fellowship is a description of who they were. They were a people of one heart and one soul. Thus fellowship is a description of their state or attitude toward each other. When people turn it backwards they lose so…
Read MoreWhat do you mean by saying fellowship is “a state of being?”
Question: I read your sermon outline on fellowship – it is very good. I have a question: you said that fellowship is a “state of being” and I do not understand what you mean. So can you explain it to me, please? People talk about “having fellowship” when they eat together, is it right to say that? Do I…
Read MorePaul, Barnabas, and Us!
by Greg Gwin We received an email communication from a man named Joe. He is a member of the First Christian Church. He has been using the Internet to search for “people of like-minded faith.” In his letter, Joe explains what he sees as the necessary conditions before he can call someone his “brother.” “If…
Read MoreI don’t think God is against a fellowship that can supply nutrition to visitors
Question: If your church has no kitchen etc, then how do you share communion together? Do you take everything home to wash? Did not Jesus share communion with the apostles? I do not think that God is against a fellowship that can supply nutrition to visitors. I find it strange indeed. Answer: Communion, also known…
Read MoreShould a Christian eat with a non-Christian who is having alcohol with his meal?
Question: First, I want to thank you for explaining in a previous response about why social drinking is sinful. Now, I have for you a short scenario that’s based on that fact. A Christian gets invited to go eat at a steakhouse by his non-Christian work buddy. While ordering his meal, this buddy decides to get an…
Read MoreHow do I keep unity with my congregation that has a different view on divorce and remarriage?
Question: I have some questions regarding your response concerning unity and such. You said: “Unity for unity sake alone is not acceptable. Unity can only exist when everyone is living according the one and only standard — God’s word. Disunity happens because we don’t always live up to the standard, but while people are trying their best…
Read MoreWhen do you strive for unity and when do you leave?
Question: First, thank you so much for all that you’ve offered me with your advice and your use of God’s word. As a result, I have a long list of questions in response to your advice. Since I Corinthians 1:10 asks us to have no divisions among the church, and usually there are divisions and…
Read MoreCan a visiting Christian lead a congregation in song?
Question: I have been attending a local church for several months. During that time I began to stand up, come forward, and lead a song at the invitation of the congregation. Every first Wednesday of the month all men are invited to lead one song during services. I began the song and immediately the congregation…
Read MoreI disagree with some at my congregation about divorce and remarriage, so how can I worship with them?
Question: I have a question regarding church issues. Some members, in the church I am part of, have what I believe to be an unscriptural view on marriage, divorce, and remarriage. Unless I am misunderstanding what one of the elders I talked to about this said: They believe people can be remarried, even if they…
Read MoreAre you in fellowship with the authors of the articles on your web site?
Question: Is Brian A. Yeager, the author of one of the articles on your web site a sound teacher? I have looked at his web site and it does not seem that he or the congregation he is with agrees with anything. They don’t fellowship with anybody. Does this person fellowship you and the La Vista congregation? Answer:…
Read MoreBiblical Fellowship
Text: I John 1:5-2:6 I. Fellowship has often been the center of controversy A. Part because the word has been misused by both denominationalists and Christians. B. But it also has been area of trouble because we don’t always know where to draw the line. II. What is fellowship A. Definitions 1. Sunētheia – A mutual custom or habit, acquaintance,…
Read MoreIs it wrong to read books about how Satan operates in the world?
Question: Thank you for your website. I enjoy reading the articles as well as the questions and answers. You have helped me in several areas of research. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find Christians who speak from a biblical perspective. I appreciate your candor and adherence to Scripture. My question relates to demonic warfare.…
Read MoreWhen should I leave a church?
Question: I am looking for guidance on where I should worship in general and more specifically: If there are multiple sound congregations nearby, must I worship with the most local? Am I free (in God’s eyes) to change which local congregations I worship with as I please? When must I leave or disfellowship a congregation?…
Read MoreAchieving Unity When Making Personal Choices
Text: I Corinthians 10:18-33 I. Difficulties arise in groups of people when people have strong opinions on various matters A. Each individual tends to focus on what he wants and is only satisfied if things go his way. B. People lose track that their purpose and the purpose of the church is to get people to heaven.…
Read MoreIf a Mormon or a Jehovah’s Witness comes to the door, should I shake their hand?
Question: Do you know of any articles that address the true dangers of teachers from outside the church vs. those that are respected teachers from within the church, that teach false doctrines? It seems that there are some who are teaching that one can not even shake the hand of a person who arrives at…
Read MoreFellowship Halls (Miller)
Adapted from an article by James P. Miller via Stand, March 1981. It is with regret that we learn that one of the congregations is now building a “fellowship hall” to advance their understanding of the gospel of Christ. We regret more for it widens the gulf between them and all brethren who seek to stand…
Read MoreAre there exceptions to withdrawal?
Question: I have been studying the issue of fellowship within the family. In other words, I have family who are erring brethren and walk not as God has commanded. In accordance with I Corinthians 5 and other verses which say “not even to eat,” are there guidelines or principles for us to follow? I want to…
Read MoreNotes on Buildings, Assembly Halls, and Fellowship Halls
Assemblies The church is commanded to come together for the purpose of worship and encouragement – I Corinthians 11:18, 20, 33; Hebrews 10:25 The purpose of coming together as a church is specifically separated from eating meals – I Corinthians 11:22, 34 Fellowship Fellowship is a state of being. It is a noun and not…
Read MoreWorship
I. At times I am amazed at the vagueness that has entered our beliefs A. I’m sure the wishy-washy-ness of the denominational world has much to do it. 1. To define something crisply means you are dividing people into two groups — those who are right and those who are wrong. 2. And “Heaven forbid, if we actually charge…
Read MoreHow does a disfellowshiped Christian worship God?
Question: If a person is disfellowshiped at a congregation, then how can that person biblically worship God? How does a person know that they have been disfellowshiped? Today’s churches seem to practice no visible discipline, but many are treated as if they have been disfellowshiped. It seems the decision is made in secret among the…
Read MoreIf you can have fellowship with people who differ in one area, why can’t you have fellowship with those who have kitchens and fellowship halls?
Question: Do you believe that weddings and/or funerals may take place in the church auditorium? Do you think that you can maintain fellowship with those who differ with you on this question? Do you think that you can maintain fellowship with those who differ with you about having a kitchen or fellowship hall in the…
Read MoreCan fellowship be denied?
Question: Where is the Bible passage that authorizes you to deny me fellowship as a member of the church when I acknowledge Christ and have been baptized? is there an ugly little secret that only those whose baptismal outlook is baptismal regenerationist are recognized? Apparently, my belief that my sins had been cleansed is not…
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