In the world of politics, we are used to hearing terms like “left wing” and “right wing.” Some are labeled conservative, some liberal. With such extreme views seated on either side of the aisle, there must be some level of compromise to expect anything productive to be accomplished. Under the title “bipartisanship,” politicians seek common ground in order to accomplish a common cause in the governing of the state.
Does God govern His people in the same fashion? Does God take a bipartisan approach in accomplishing your salvation and bringing you to His goal of eternal life?
When we view organized religion, a person is left to wonder. It is estimated that there are over 44,000 different Christian denominations worldwide. And while many of the churches are independent and many share similar beliefs, they still are not fully united. One wonders where to even begin in trying to choose a church.
The word “fellowship” (Greek: koinonia), means “sharing, communion, partnership.” To have fellowship with someone is to be united with them. That is, fellowship, as Scripture describes it, is to share a common ground and be united to a common cause.Galatians 3:26–28 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
There is no bipartisanship expressed here. There is no compromise as if we can meet God half way. When it comes to our salvation, God has done it all in Christ to united us to His cause in Christ. Baptism is God’s means to draw us from the “other side of the aisle” to His side. Those who believe in Jesus have been separated from sin and the world and united to forgiveness and the righteousness of Christ. Since all who believe this are “one in Christ Jesus” (vertical fellowship), they are likewise united to each other (horizontal fellowship). There is no division in this spiritual fellowship of believers.
Church Fellowship concerns itself with our endeavor to express this inward unity in outward ways as we enjoy and participate in this glorious fellowship in Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:9–10 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
From left wing liberal to right wing conservative, the world of politics brings together people with differing agendas founded on different principles. Compromise is essintial in some areas, and avoided at all cost in other areas. Each has their own opinion and their own cause to support according to what they believe will acomplish the most good.
Unlike Congress, the fellowship of Christ brings together people with one agenda founded on likeminded principles. This unity transcends background, upbringing, nationality, race, and church denomination. There exists an invisible and unilateral cause to which believers are spiritually bound by the God’s Word of grace. This fellowship in Christ is glorious for it has been given by God’s grace and is preserved eternally by His love apart from anything we deserve.
The teaching of Church fellowship addresses the Christian’s visible expression of this invisible faith and unity. Unilaterally, believers are joined to a common agenda founded on God’s Word of truth. They are not interested in bi-partisanship in the name of outward unity, nor are they primarily concerned with membership statistics. Rather they concern themselves with true unity as expressed by agreement on God’s Word and preserved only through the saving gospel of Christ crucified and risen. They are unwilling to compromise this precious calling and faith for anything, even death (Luke 18:29-30). Unilaterally, they carry out a common cause in Christ – preaching the gospel to every person (Mark 16:16) and making disciples of all nations; one agenda – baptizing and teaching all things that Christ commanded (Matthew 28:19-20).
In the following pamphlet you’ll find a basic study of the Spirit-given teaching of Church Fellowship. May the Spirit guide us in this challenging but most blessed topic, both separating us from sin and every evil and uniting us together under God’s forgiveness and righteousness in Christ.
Download [PDF] – Our Glorious Fellowship in Christ