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The Withdrawal of Fellowship
We continue our Study ofChurch Discipline– Part 31.Covered a lot of material and today will mark the last in this series of lessons – not going to repeat it all – but there are CD’s available and the PowerPoint is on the Web Site.2. This lesson will be very focused on the topic of what“The Withdrawal of Fellowship”constitutes.3. We can not say enough times that the PURPOSE of such is to “RECLAIM and RESTORE” the erring brother or sister of us and the Lord.James 5:19-20
The Withdrawal of Fellowship
We are not to treat the one being disciplined – withdrawn from -as an enemy , but as a brother.II Thessalonians 3:14-15“14And if any man obey not our word in this epistle, note that man and have no company with him,that he may be ashamed.15Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
The Withdrawal of Fellowship
TWO VERY IMPORTANT POINTSThereforeDiscipline/Chastisement is an actof Love -Hebrews 12:6“6for whom the LordlovethHechasteneth, andscourgethevery son whom Hereceiveth."B.Therewill come a time when Discipline/Chastisement will no longer take place, butPunishmentwill begin for theimpenitentindividual.Revelation 20:11-15
The Withdrawal of Fellowship
We have seen that the result of“repeated and un-repented of Sins” is thewithdrawal of Fellowship.For “Personal Sins”it is to be taken before the Church for resolution.Matthew 18:15-1715"Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.16But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that `in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.'17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church; but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.
The Withdrawal of Fellowship
Congregational Matters–I Corinthians 5:1-114. Inthe name of our Lord Jesus Christ,when ye are gathered together,I being there in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,5.deliversuch a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the Day of the Lord Jesus.11. “ButI now have written unto younot to keep company with any man who is called a brotherif he is a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or arailer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner.With such a one you are not even to eat.”
The Withdrawal of Fellowship
Titus 3:10“10Ifa man is a heretic, after the first and second admonition reject him,”(Instructions to the Congregation in Crete. 1:5)I Timothy 1:19-20“19holding faith and a good conscience which some, having put aside, have suffered shipwreck concerning faith.20Among them areHymenaeusand Alexander, whom I havedelivered unto Satan, that theymay learnnot to blaspheme.”( Instructions regarding the congregation at Ephesus)II Thessalonians 3:6”6Nowwe command you,brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,that ye withdraw yourselves from every brotherwhowalkethdisorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.”
The Withdrawal of Fellowship
What is this“fellowship” that is to be withdrawn?The Greek is –koinonia– (koi-non-ia)The essential meaning of thekoinoniaembraces concepts conveyed in the English termssuch as community, communion, joint participation, sharing and intimacy.Koinoniacan therefore refer in some contexts to a jointly contributed gift.[1]Thayer,Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, p. 352.Theword appears19 timesin most editions of the Greek New Testament. In theNew American Standard Bible, it is translated “fellowship”twelve times, “sharing”three times, and “participation” and “contribution”twice each.[2]
The Withdrawal of Fellowship
The word has such a multitude of meanings thatno single English word is adequate to express its depth and richness.It is a derivative ofkoinos, the word forcommon.Koinoniais a complex, rich, and thoroughly fascinating Greek approach to building community or teamwork.In theNew Testament, the basis of communion begins with a joining ofJesuswith the community of the faithful. This union is also experienced in practical daily life.
The Withdrawal of Fellowship
The same bonds that link the individual to Jesus also link him or her with otherfaithful members of His Church.TheNew Testament letters describe those bonds as so vital and genuine that a deep level of intimacy can be experienced among the members of a local church.[2]Richards,Expository Dictionary of Bible Words, p. 275-276The first usage ofkoinoniain the Greek New Testament is found inActs 2:42-47, where we read a striking description of the common life shared by the early Christian believers in Jerusalem:“Theydevoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching andto the communion, to the breaking of bread and to prayer...All the believers were together and had everything in common.Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he hadneed…They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.”Robinson, “Communion; Fellowship,” inBromiley,The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, pp. 752-753
The Withdrawal of Fellowship
So “fellowship” –koi-non-ia-is sharing, companionship, participation, partnership, communicationwith those of like precious faith and service to our Lord and with our Lord.Therefore it isthis fellowship – “koi-non-ia” -which we withdraw from an erring, impenitent brother or sister in Christ, one that is part of the congregation.And to keep the rest of the congregation pure from such sinful acts by setting the example and warning before them –Acts 5:1-11 & I Corinthians 5:7
The Withdrawal of Fellowship
Paul instructs –20Those who sinrebuke before all,thatothers also may fear.I Timothy 5:20Therefore when it comes to this level -it is a Public action- before the whole congregation that it takes place.
The Withdrawal of Fellowship
So it is withdrawal from, separate from:II Thessalonians 3:6Telling it to the Church–Matthew 18:17 – I Corinthians 5“Mark -Avoid” – “Turn away from”Romans 16:17“Note – have no company with–II Thessalonians 3:14“Not keeping company” with the one,I Corinthians 5:9-12,II Thessalonians 3:14-155.“Refuse”Titus3:106. “Do not eat with-I Corinthians 5:11“Put away” -I Corinthians 5:13“deliver to Satan” –I Corinthians 5:5, I Timothy 1:20Koi-non-iahas been withdrawn
The Withdrawal of Fellowship
One other point we have not cover yet -The False Teacher bringing False DoctrineII John1:9-119Whosoevertransgresseth, andabidethnot in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He thatabidethin the doctrine of Christ hath both the Father and the Son.10Ifthere come any unto you andbring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed;11for he thatbiddethhim Godspeed is a partaker of his evil deeds.Romans 16:1717Now I beseech you, brethren, mark those who cause divisions and offenses,contrary to the doctrinewhich ye have learned, and avoid them.
The Withdrawal of Fellowship
Will an individual be able to attend the Worship services?They are open to the Public and we can not and will not bar them from attending - we have no scripture authorizing us to do so .However, they will not be used in a Public way i.e. song leading, reading, praying, serving, teaching, preaching, etc.
The Withdrawal of Fellowship
Will they be barred from partaking of the Communion ?Again, we have no scripture allowing us to bar anyone from taking the communion.However, the Scripture plainly teaches the we are to examine “ourselves” when doing so and if we are not in a “correct fellowship”, sinning willfully,continually,in a non-repentantmanner,then we are condemning ourselves – we don’t need anyone else's help.I Corinthians 11:28
The Withdrawal of Fellowship
How should a Family member treat another Family member that has been withdrawn from?Let me say this- the Bible doesn’t address this question as such –There are family duties of husband and wife to each other- I Corinthians 7:12-13 and I Peter 3:1-6, even Ephesians 5: 22-33.Children are to obey their Parents–Ephesians 6:1-3But it would be important to Pray for that family member and encourage them to get their life right with the Lord and the Church.
The Withdrawal of Fellowship
Can a person be dis-fellowshipped for not attending the services?Hebrews 10:25-26Several views on this question –If a person has left -how and whydis-fellowship?Some would contend that since they left - dis-fellowship serves no purpose- I guess we don’t want to get them back – we don’t care if others follow their example??????First –the Congregation has failedin and of themselves if they have waited so long to do anything about it that no one knows where that wayward member is at.That means others in the congregation are seeing and adapting to the idea that failure to attend is alright – no one is going to do anything about such.
The Withdrawal of Fellowship
There are various and numerous reasons that are given that “withdrawal of fellowship” should not be “administered, undertaken , practiced, etc.None of them are Biblical reasons – because we have seen in these past lessons all the reasons that the Bible states, no COMMANDS, that this should take place.II Thessalonians 3:6 – we are commanded to do so.To not do so is to DISOBEY GOD. That is a sin in and of itself.I John 3:4
The Withdrawal of Fellowship
So How does one “make it right” with the Lord and the Church and what are we to do toward them?I John 1:9states the condition for what the“wayward child”of God is to do to be forgiven.“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”Paul says that the one referred to inI Corinthians 5did that very thing he repentedbecause of what took place – Church DisciplineII Corinthians 2:3-8
The Withdrawal of Fellowship
II Corinthians2:3-8“3And I wrote as I did unto you lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from those of whom I ought to rejoice, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all.4For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears, not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly for you.5But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part" that I may not overburden you all.6Sufficient to such a man is this censure, which was inflicted by many,7so that contrariwise ye ought rather toforgive him and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.8Therefore I beseech you that you would confirm your love toward him.9For to this end also did I write, that I might have proof from you, whether ye be obedient in all things.A Soul has been Reclaimed and Restored.
The Withdrawal of Fellowship
Action taken-Matthew 18:15-17, I Corinthians 5:5-7,11, II Thessalonians 3:14-15, I Timothy 5:20, etc.Purpose – to Reclaim and Restore the erring member and purify the Congregation-James 5:19-20Fellowship – Defined and answered Questions about Withdrawal.What happens in the end? Prayerfully, hopefully, the Lost One is reclaimed – restored.
The Withdrawal of Fellowship
Let us remember this when we must practice this act as a congregation –It is commanded on God–II Thessalonians 3:6Discipline/Chastisement is an act of LoveHebrews12:6B. We are attempting to Reclaim and Restore the erring back to the fold.James 5:19-20C.Therewill come a time when Discipline/Chastisement will no longer take place, butPunishmentwill begin forthe impenitentindividual.Revelation 20:11-15
What Must You Do to Be Saved?
HEARthe Message of Christ -ROMANS 10:17BELIEVEthat Message -MARK 16:16JOHN 8:24REPENTof your Sins -LUKE 13:3ACTS 2:38CONFESSChrist as LordROMANS 10:10ACTS 8:37-38Be BaptizedACTS 2:38, 22:16, GALATIANS 3:27Remain FaithfulRevelation 2:10
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