"Abiding in the Word"

           “What’s wrong with having fellowship with denominations?” This question is often asked and considered by sincere Christians. The answer is important because God has told us of both the importance and impact of fellowship.

          “Fellowship” comes from the Greek word, “koinonia.” This word can mean, “communion, partnership, or association in conjunction with.” Fellowship, then, is a deeper idea and process than we sometimes realize. It involves not only the idea of sitting across a table from someone in the sharing of a meal, but also the granting of our own approval, allegiance, and perhaps even joint participation in the doctrines and practices involved.

In Psalm 94:20, the Bible says, “Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law, Have fellowship with You?” In reference to the early church we read, “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. ⁴²And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers,” (Acts 2:41-42). Doctrine and fellowship are interrelated entities.

In 1 Corinthians 10:20-21, Paul shows that fellowship with God demands that we avoid fellowship with things that would hinder that relationship: “Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. ²¹You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.”
          In 2 John 9-11, John writes: “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; ¹¹for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” The teaching or doctrine of Christ would be those things found in the New Testament. This would include the gospel. Paul told the church at Galatia: “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, ⁷which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. ⁸But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. ⁹As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed,” (Galatians 1:6-9). These two passages declare that doctrine is important, that it must be consistent with the doctrine or teaching of Christ, and that if anyone embraces or teaches “other” doctrine(s) they do not have God and are “accursed.”

            Given these Biblical principles and guidelines, the following observations must be considered regarding fellowship with denominations: 1) Denominations teach and practice error regarding such things as salvation, the structure of the church (church government), worship, and the open acceptance of those in sin such as homosexuals and lesbians; 2) Denominationalism is a system derived from man-made doctrines and origins – the one true church is not and never has been a denomination; 3) Open fellowship with any person or group indicates approval of and allegiance to the things they teach and practice; 4) The approval of and participation in doctrines and practices not found in the New Testament removes one from the fellowship of God, since God obviously would not approve of nor allow these things (Acts 17:30-31). 

          Please consider, meditate on, and pray for wisdom about this serious matter. We must teach denominational people the truth. To do this we must have contact with them. However, this is altogether a different scenario than the granting of our own fellowship and approval of principles and practices not found in the Word of God.