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DDOCTRINE OF FELLOWSHIPOCTRINE OF FELLOWSHIP“The gospel believed and obeyed restores the mind to a oneness with God, and by the act of baptism we are inducted into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, a complete oneness in the whole family in heaven and in earth. Here is a “family circle”. A circle is drawn by the truth, inside of which there is fellowship; but no fellowship with any or anything outside. The church [ecclesia] is thus the pillar and ground of the Truth and refuses to support, allow room for or to compromise with the unfruitful works of darkness in the outer world.”

“Now, brethren, we cannot help seeing from this that by accepting such a privilege as that of admittance into the family circle of the God of heaven and earth we incur great responsibilities. We are no longer isolated individuals, who have simply our individual self to consider, but we have to remember that fellowship brings us together and lawfully imposes obligations to respect each other, to bear with each other, to help, comfort, console, correct, reprove, and with all to love each other, love Christ and love God.” Thomas Williams, Life and Works, p. 74

WHY IS THE SUBJECT IMPORTANTWHY IS THE SUBJECT IMPORTANT

If accepted by God, through His Son, such If accepted by God, through His Son, such fellowship and acceptance provides us with fellowship and acceptance provides us with the hope of salvation.the hope of salvation.

Provides a community to bear witness to the Provides a community to bear witness to the Truth and to glorify Yahweh’s Name – a vital Truth and to glorify Yahweh’s Name – a vital aspect of GOD MANIFESTATIONaspect of GOD MANIFESTATION

Fellowship with others of “like precious faith” Fellowship with others of “like precious faith” helps to instruct, encourage and strengthen helps to instruct, encourage and strengthen us all in our efforts to please our heavenly us all in our efforts to please our heavenly Father.Father.

Provides a defensive means to “keep the way”Provides a defensive means to “keep the way” Specific scriptural commands in regard to its Specific scriptural commands in regard to its

purity and preservation. purity and preservation.

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““FellowshipFellowship” Defined” Defined From the Greek, From the Greek, koinoniakoinonia Strong’s Concordance Strong’s Concordance “ “partnershippartnership”” Indicates a sharing in common and by Indicates a sharing in common and by

implication “oneness of mind”.implication “oneness of mind”. Derived from koinonos, which means a Derived from koinonos, which means a

“sharer or associate”. Translated as “sharer or associate”. Translated as “partner(s)”, “companions”, “partner(s)”, “companions”, “partakers”.“partakers”.

DOES NOT merely indicate social or DOES NOT merely indicate social or personal interaction. personal interaction.

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Lesson 1 - Fellowship Defined

Positive applications of the Positive applications of the principal of fellowshipprincipal of fellowship..

““fellowship in the gospelfellowship in the gospel” – ” – Philippians Philippians 1:3-51:3-5

““the fellowship ofthe fellowship of (Jesus’) (Jesus’) sufferingssufferings” – ” – 3:103:10 ““fellowship of the ministering to the saintsfellowship of the ministering to the saints” ”

– – 2nd Cor. 8:42nd Cor. 8:4 ““the right hand of fellowshipthe right hand of fellowship” – ” – Galatians Galatians

2:92:9 fellowship in charitable effort fellowship in charitable effort

(“contribution” = koinonia) (“contribution” = koinonia) Rom. 15:26,27Rom. 15:26,274

Lesson 1 - Fellowship Defined

Negative applications of the Negative applications of the principal of fellowship.principal of fellowship.

Fellowship with the world – Fellowship with the world – 2nd 2nd Corinthians 6:14Corinthians 6:14

Fellowship with “the works of Fellowship with “the works of darkness” – darkness” – Eph. 5:11Eph. 5:11

““Fellowship with devils” – Fellowship with devils” – 1st 1st Corinthians 10:20Corinthians 10:20

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Lesson 1 - Fellowship Defined

Fellowship and UnityFellowship and Unity Romans 15:6Romans 15:6 – “ – “with one mind and one with one mind and one

mouthmouth”” 1st Corinthians 1:101st Corinthians 1:10 – “ – “same mind and same mind and

judgmentjudgment” ” Ephesians 4:3Ephesians 4:3 – “ – “keep the unity of the Spiritkeep the unity of the Spirit”” Philippians 1:27Philippians 1:27 – “ – “striving togetherstriving together” … “” … “for for

the gospel”the gospel” Philippians 2:2Philippians 2:2 – “ – “of one accord, of one of one accord, of one

mindmind.”.” 1st Peter 3:81st Peter 3:8 – “ – “be ye all of one mindbe ye all of one mind.”.” .” .”

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Lesson 1 - Fellowship Defined

Summary to this pointSummary to this point In order for there to be “fellowship”, there must In order for there to be “fellowship”, there must

be commonality, shared beliefs and goals.be commonality, shared beliefs and goals. Calling, belief, and baptism bring men into Calling, belief, and baptism bring men into

fellowship with God through Jesus Christ.fellowship with God through Jesus Christ. That fellowship begins with the Father and the That fellowship begins with the Father and the

Son.Son. Those that have been “called out” make up an Those that have been “called out” make up an

assembly or Ecclesia.assembly or Ecclesia. That “fellowship one with another” depends on #2That “fellowship one with another” depends on #2 That God is light, and that fellowship with Him That God is light, and that fellowship with Him

cannot exist without a continued walking in “the cannot exist without a continued walking in “the light”. light”.

Fellowship within the Ecclesia requires that we Fellowship within the Ecclesia requires that we hold in common the doctrines and the practices of hold in common the doctrines and the practices of the Apostles – “the apostles doctrine” – i.e. “The the Apostles – “the apostles doctrine” – i.e. “The things concerning the Kingdom of God and the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ.”name of Jesus Christ.”

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Lesson 1 - Fellowship Defined