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Disfellowshipping & Its Purpose Introduction: Often when the word "disfellowshipping" is used we think of what a congregation does when a Christian is no longer faithful to God’s word. The word "disfellowship" is not used in the New King James, King James, NIV, ASV, NASV, or the Greek Translated Bible. But we are told to not to have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, Ephesians 5.11, to not have fellowship with demons, 1 Corinthians 10.20, and we are asked a question in 2 Corinthians 6.14, "What fellowship has righteousness with darkness?" I) Various Translations of Romans 16.17 A) 17 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. NIV B) 17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. NKJV C) 17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. NASU D) 17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. KJV E) 17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them. ASV F) 17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. NAS 1. Each translation points out what we are to do. 2. Because something has changed in regards to our fellowship, due to their actions. B) Other relevant passages: Matthew 18.15-17; Galatians 6.1ff; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Thessalonians 3.11-15; 2 Corinthians 2.6-9; Ezekiel 3.17-21 II) Understanding Fellowship A) Fellowship means: 1. Working together, partnership, joint participation, having in common, communion. a. We call the Lord’s Supper the Communion; we all participate in remembering the Lord’s death. 1 Corinthians 10.16-17 b. You can not have one person taking the bread and fruit of the vine believing in Jesus while another is worshipping Buddha. 2. For there to be fellowship there must be something we have in common, a basis for fellowship. B) Our fellowship with God, 1 John 1.1-4 1. John addressed our horizontal fellowship, which is with God. 2. We enter that fellowship by believing Jesus is the Son of God, confessing that belief, repenting of our sins, being baptized into the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12.12, 13 a. When one becomes a child of God they are in fellowship with God. 3. This requires us to "walk in the light", 1 John 1.5-7 a. Also called being faithful, keeping His commandments 4. God’s fellowship is perfect in that He knows those that are obeying Him and those that are not, 2 Timothy 2.19 C) Our fellowship with each other is based on our fellowship with God, 1 John 1.7 1. We see this in Acts 2.42 as Christians were worshipping together, praying together, etc. 2. The basis of this fellowship is in the gospel, Phil. 1.4 a. To state the obvious, before we can disfellowship a person, there must be fellowship. b. We must have a common belief and practice. All those at Jerusalem in Acts 2.42 had obeyed the Gospel of Christ. III) Disfellowshipping A) Dis- means to separate, sever, displace, to reverse 1. Disjointed, dismember, dispel, to disbar, etc. 2. Requires there to be fellowship to start with, 1 Corinthians 12. 14-20, 27 3. 3. Then to end or sever that fellowship. B) Sin separates us from God, thus ending our fellowship with Him, 1 John 1.6 1. The nation of Israel was being carried off into captivity due to their sins, Isaiah 59.1-2 2. Why? God was disciplining His people, Hebrews 12.7- 8 a. Discipline involved teaching, correcting, and punishing b. God dealt differently with Israel and Judah then He did the rest of the nations because they were His children. C) We are to "note", "mark" or sever our fellowship with those that are walking disorderly, 2 Thess. 3.14 1. If a person repents we will have gained or saved a brother from eternal punishment, Matthew 18.15 a. If a person does not repent we are to sever our fellowship, Matthew 18.17. 2. Romans 16.18 "by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearst of the simple" 3. Case in point 1 Corinthians 5 a. To let the world know we do not condone the one in sin, verse 1 b. In obedience to our Lord, verse 4 c. That his soul may be saved, verse 5 d. To preserve the body, verse 6 4. Galatians 6.1 "restore such a one in the spirit of gentleness. a. V. 2 "bear one another’s burdens" b. v 2 b "fulfill the law of Christ" 5. Ezekiel 3.17-21 points out our responsibility to our brethren regardless of their reaction. a. How many of us would knowingly allow a family to die in a house fire just because we are afraid of waking them up? b. How would you feel if you were not aware of the danger and others were but they did not warn you? 6. 2 Corinthians 2.6-9 a happy ending 1. V6 sufficient punishment to bring this one to repentance 2. V. 8 love for him 3. V. 9 obedient in all things Conclusion: In "marking" or "disfellowshipping" we are recognizing what God has already done. The brother living in sin, unwilling to repent, has already been severed from God. We are warning this person, hoping they will repent, discouraging sin among us, and letting the world know we do not approve of sin. D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 07.01.07 |