Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: November 11, 2007
A FELLOWSHIP SMOKESCREEN
Ben Justice
“Fellowship” means “joint-participation and cooperation.” It implies, therefore,
endorsing, condoning, and upholding. As fellowship relates to the people of God,
the Bible is very clear: “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph. 5:11) and “Whosoever transgresseth, and
abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of
Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not
this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that
biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds” (2 John 9-11). One would need
expert help to misunderstand these plain and unambiguous scriptures. The
faithful of God must not and can not fellowship those who are in doctrinal error.
What about the one who extends fellowship to the one who extends fellowship
to the erring brother? Likewise, the third party stands guilty also. Fellowship
has a domino or chain effect. It is this domino or chain effect of fellowship that
some brethren just seem to have a problem with. The smokescreen that many
brethren offer is, “Well, you are going to have to withdraw fellowship from
everyone; there will be no one that you can extend fellowship to.” Intentionally
ignorant brethren don’t seem to realize that the chain of extending fellowship to
erring brethren can in fact be stopped. No one has to fellowship those who are
in error or those who support others in error. Let’s offer the following examples:
Dave Miller is a marked false teacher. The evidence is overwhelming that it can’
t be denied; it is there for anyone to see. We have chronicled his errors in past
articles that have appeared in this weekly bulletin. According to the teachings of
the Bible, the faithful can’t extend fellowship to him, but rather must mark and
expose him, as the Bible teaches (Rom. 16:17; Eph. 5:11).
There are those who have affirmed that what Dave Miller teaches is error, but
continue to fellowship him in spite of the evidence. What is the state of those
who extend fellowship to Miller? Bidding God speed to those who do not abide in
the doctrine of Christ stand just as guilty (2 John 9-11). Having no fellowship
with the unfruitful works of darkness is also a part of the doctrine of Christ.
Thus, if one extends fellowship to a false teacher, then they are violating the
doctrine of Christ. This is not rocket science. It’s easy to see and learn from
God’s word. Forest Hill Church of Christ in Memphis, TN (home of Memphis
School of Preaching) and Southaven Church of Christ in Southaven, MS
fellowship and support Apologetics Press (Dave Miller is the director). The
Bible teaches they are in error (2 John 9-11).
Now, we know what the faithful are to do with regard to Miller but what about
Forest Hill and Southaven? Do they receive a pass even though they fellowship
and support Dave Miller? Again, the Bible is plain; they, likewise, should be
marked and exposed just like Miller (Eph. 5:11; Rom. 16:17).
The Highland Church of Christ of Dalton, GA (home of “Preaching the
Gospel” with James Watkins and the now famous “Gospel Broadcasting
Network [GBN]) fellowship Dave Miller (and other erring brethren also). Forest
Hill Church of Christ and Southaven Church of Christ also support GBN in
addition to Apologetics Press and Dave Miller. Thus, this places the
Highland Church in violation of God’s laws on fellowship.
Here is another: The Philips Street Church of Christ of Dyersburg, TN
(overseers of “Online Academy of Biblical Studies” [OABS] supports the
Forest Hill Church and Memphis School of Preaching.
Brethren, we could go on and on with this chain of fellowship. When faithful
brethren refuse to hold hands and fellowship those in error, then some will erect
a smokescreen by saying that if this is your definition of fellowship, then you will
have to withdraw from this brother or this congregation because they also
support Memphis School of Preaching and GBN. Yes, that is correct. So, you’
re going to have to withdraw from everybody. No, only those who are
compromisers. Brethren, we don’t have to be a part of the chain with those who
fellowship error; we don’t have to be a part of the chain that continues to be
involved with erring brethren.
Fellowship is truly one of the most misunderstood subjects in our brotherhood
today. It is not just misunderstood; I am convinced it is intentional ignorance
on the part of many. But, here is what is sad: Many brethren know precisely
what the Bible teaches on fellowship; they have taught it and practiced it in the
past. Their own writings prove it. Such men include Curtis Cates, B.J. Clarke,
Robert R. Taylor, Jr., Gary Colley, Glen Colley, David Jones and a whole
host of other men who would take up more room than what is allowed here in
this bulletin article.
Faithful congregations would be wise to question all involved in a work before
supporting that work. It is not only the wise thing to do, but in fact necessary.
The church here at Sullivan is always receiving solicitation for support from
brethren and congregations to help in some effort. No questions of any kind are
ever asked; all they want is for us to make a donation. Brethren, this is sheer
idiocy. Do brethren not at all care with whom they are involved with and
fellowship in joint efforts? Apparently not. And, if this is the case, then why not
solicit every denominational body in town for donations? The Bible makes it
clear that fellowship is inclusive of giving and receiving in Phil. 1:5 and 4:15.
On more than one occasion the Sullivan congregation has received solicitation to
help the Pacific prison ministry. However, the Collinsville church of Christ in
Collinsville, IL is a supporter of this work. This congregation also supports
Memphis School of Preaching and Apologetics Press. Thus, if the Sullivan
congregation would be true to God’s laws on fellowship, then she can’t possibly
be involved with this prison ministry for such would involve us being in
fellowship with those who support error.
Those who offer such smokescreens concerning fellowship matters are
desperately trying to justify their actions in fellowshipping those not abiding in
the doctrine of Christ.
In the final analysis, it doesn’t matter what brother is in error; if he is and
refuses to repent, then he is to be marked and exposed as the Bible teaches.
Faithful brethren don’t have to be in the chain with those who are
compromisers. It is faithful brethren and only faithful brethren that we can
extend fellowship to. Many brethren are going to learn this lesson too late!