When We Disagree

Continue in this series on fellowship. What happens when we have studied an issue together, yet we come to differing conclusions? Can we still share in our worship of Christ? Even collectively?

I) We sometimes do disagree

Many disagreements between honest believers: 1- can Christians serve their country in war? 2- can Christians support or perform the death penalty? 3- can Christians use physical force to defend themselves? 4- can Christian women cut their hair or wear veils in worship? 5- can local church allow weddings and funerals in church building? 6- can Christians use tobacco or drink alcohol in moderate amounts? 7- can a widow(er) marry a non-Christian? 8- must elders have more than one saved child? or any?

All these questions involve positions of doctrine on part of someone (ie. these things are important)

Sometimes we break fellowship, sometimes we don’t. When? There is no passage that gives us a direct answer on any of these questions

God requires it sometimes – – and forbids it sometimes – – and gives us some guidelines for deciding when we must and when we must not

II) Guidelines for fellowship

Easiest answer is that we fellowship whoever God fellowships, yet this is an unrealistic standard to expect, because none of us know (with complete certainty) who God does and doesn’t –

1 Corinthians 4:4–5 ESV

For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

Right and wrong – but again demands perfect knowledge of truth, and misses primary point that fellowship with God is not based on obedience, but faith (i.e. one can be wrong in doctrine, but right in faith) – , esp. vs.1, 3-4 – “unity in diversity” or “agree to disagree” are often used in ridicule, but it is the only kind of consistent fellowship

Relationship to Biblical authority – most consistent cause for breaking fellowship in NT – ; ; ; – (main difference in Disciples of Christ and Independent Christian Churches) which includes willful sin –

Matthew 28:18 ESV

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

2 John 9–11 ESV

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

2 Thessalonians 3:14–15 ESV

If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

2 Corinthians 6:14–18 ESV

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

Matthew 18:15–17 ESV

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Factionalism – second most consistent cause for breaking fellowship in NT – ; ; ; ;

1 Corinthians 1:10–13 ESV

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

Romans 16:16–17 ESV

Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

2 Timothy 2:14 ESV

Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.

Titus 3:10 ESV

As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,

Revelation 2:14–15 ESV

But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Revelation 3:20 ESV

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Bringing public shame on church – ; – although some say immorality is emphasis

1 Corinthians 5:1–2 ESV

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.

Ephesians 5:3–7 ESV

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them;

Affects our collective action – – although not everything done in public assembly directly involves us (more on that in another lesson)

Ephesians 5:11 ESV

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

Concl: We can see that God does not intend for us to break fellowship every time we disagree with someone, but God does give definitive situations when we can no longer remain in fellowship.