“Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit” IN THIS LESSON: - What creates a threat to such “unity” and therefore “fellowship”? - What is our responsibility

““Endeavoring to keep the unity of Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit”the Spirit”

IN THIS LESSON:IN THIS LESSON:- What creates a threat to such “unity” What creates a threat to such “unity”

and therefore “fellowship”?and therefore “fellowship”?- What is our responsibility in dealing What is our responsibility in dealing

with error?with error?- What are the consequences (if any) for What are the consequences (if any) for

not dealing with error?not dealing with error?- Once interfered with, how can Once interfered with, how can

fellowship (commonality) be restored?fellowship (commonality) be restored?

1

Lesson 3 – “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit”

Eph. 4:3-6Eph. 4:3-6

““EndeavouringEndeavouring”, Strongs ”, Strongs “to “to makemake efforteffort, , bebe promptprompt or or

earnest”… “diligence”earnest”… “diligence”

2


What threatens Scriptural What threatens Scriptural Fellowship?Fellowship?

1.1. 11stst John 1:7 John 1:7 – Not walking “in the – Not walking “in the light”light”

2.2. Sin – moral and heresySin – moral and heresy

3.3. Tolerance of error/sinTolerance of error/sin

3


Approach with careApproach with care

1.1. John 3:16John 3:16

2.2. 22ndnd Timothy 4: 2,3 Timothy 4: 2,3

3.3. John 7:24John 7:24

4.4. Matthew 18Matthew 18

5.5. Jude 22, 23Jude 22, 23

4


The responsibility to deal with error…The responsibility to deal with error…not ignore it. not ignore it.

1.1. Deut. 13Deut. 13 – How to handle false prophets. – How to handle false prophets.2.2. Psalm 82:2Psalm 82:2 – Speaking of the earthly – Speaking of the earthly

Elohim (“gods”) or judges of Israel.Elohim (“gods”) or judges of Israel.3.3. Proverbs 28:4Proverbs 28:44.4. Ezekiel 33: 8,9Ezekiel 33: 8,95.5. 11stst Timothy 5:20 – WHY? Timothy 5:20 – WHY?

5


Instructions in relation to Instructions in relation to fellowshipfellowship

Matthew 18:17Matthew 18:17 – “ – “let him be as an heathen man and a let him be as an heathen man and a publicanpublican” if no change of course is accomplished.” if no change of course is accomplished.

Romans 16:17,18Romans 16:17,18 – “ – “markmark” and “” and “avoidavoid”” 11stst Corinthians 5:11-13 Corinthians 5:11-13 – “ – “not to keep companynot to keep company”, “”, “put awayput away”” Galatians 5: 9,12Galatians 5: 9,12 – to “ – to “cut offcut off”” Ephesians 5:11Ephesians 5:11 – “have no fellowship with”, “reprove them” – “have no fellowship with”, “reprove them” 22ndnd Thess. 3: 6, 14, 15 Thess. 3: 6, 14, 15 – “ – “withdrawwithdraw”, “”, “have no company have no company

withwith”, “”, “but not as an enemybut not as an enemy” WHY? “” WHY? “THAT HE MAY BE THAT HE MAY BE ASHAMEDASHAMED””

11stst Timothy 1: 19, 20 Timothy 1: 19, 20 – “ – “I have delivered unto the adversaryI have delivered unto the adversary” ” WHY? “WHY? “THAT THEY MAY LEARNTHAT THEY MAY LEARN””

11stst Timothy 6: 3-5 Timothy 6: 3-5 – “ – “from such withdraw thyselffrom such withdraw thyself”” Titus 1:13; 2:15; 3:10Titus 1:13; 2:15; 3:10 – “ – “rebukerebuke”, “”, “rejectreject”” 22ndnd John, 9-11 John, 9-11 – “receive him not unto your house”, “neither – “receive him not unto your house”, “neither

bid him God speed”bid him God speed”

6


Bidding “God speed”Bidding “God speed” From: From:

““The Doctrine of Fellowship – A defense of the historic Christadelphian position” The Doctrine of Fellowship – A defense of the historic Christadelphian position”

Bro. Robert Roberts, The Christadelphian, February-March, 1892Bro. Robert Roberts, The Christadelphian, February-March, 1892

7

“Now, what is meant by “God speed”? The original word occurs 74 times. It is only rendered “God speed” twice. The rest of the time it is rendered “hail, rejoice, greeting, joy, glad, and farewell.” So the primary meaning is evidently “welcome.” We are not to welcome a holder of false doctrine. Not to welcome where? At our homes, or at the Table? Why, at the Table of the Lord – for surely you cannot contend that we ought to welcome a person there when we cannot welcome him at our home.”


Why are such actions required?Why are such actions required?““Would a faithful shepherd allow wolves to enter the fold Would a faithful shepherd allow wolves to enter the fold unopposed, or having entered, would he allow them to unopposed, or having entered, would he allow them to remain and prey on the flock unmolested? No faithful remain and prey on the flock unmolested? No faithful shepherd will do so, but will be on the alert for every shepherd will do so, but will be on the alert for every indication of danger, from whatever quarter it may indication of danger, from whatever quarter it may approach. The conditions of salvation have not altered. It is approach. The conditions of salvation have not altered. It is just as necessary to believe the truth to be saved as it ever just as necessary to believe the truth to be saved as it ever was. There are just as many, both as to number and variety, was. There are just as many, both as to number and variety, who oppose the truth as there ever was – vastly more as to who oppose the truth as there ever was – vastly more as to number. The same measures are necessary to be taken to number. The same measures are necessary to be taken to preserve and defend the truth as were necessary in the preserve and defend the truth as were necessary in the times of the Apostles. Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit times of the Apostles. Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” you like men, be strong.” Bro. Berton Little, “Fellowship in the Breaking of Bread”, Bro. Berton Little, “Fellowship in the Breaking of Bread”,

Christadelphian Advocate, January, 1917.Christadelphian Advocate, January, 1917.

8


Documents

“Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit” IN THIS LESSON: - What creates a threat to such “unity” and therefore “fellowship”? - What is our responsibility