The Basis Of Christian Fellowship
The
following article was submitted by a person who attends our
gatherings and is a good overview for the basis of our fellowship
with other believers.
The author of the article is unknown.
"In essentials, Unity; in
non-essentials, Liberty;
Although we individually, or as a
group, may believe and cherish
certain doctrines, the basis of our
fellowship is life in the
Christ of the Scriptures rather than
light on the teaching of
the Scriptures. Those who have part
with Christ have part with us.
Because our communion is one of life
and love more than one of doctrine
and opinion, we seek to show that
the oneness in the life of God
through Jesus Christ is a stronger
bond than that of being one of us -
whether organizationally or
otherwise. Because our
fellowship is based on our common
life in Christ, we do not reject
anyone because of the organization
or denomination with which he may be
affiliated; nor would we hold him
responsible for the conduct within
that system, any more than we would
a child for the conduct in the home
of which he is merely a part.
We do not feel it
desirable to withdraw from
fellowship with any Christians
except at the point where they may
require us to do what our
consciences will not permit, or
restrain us from doing what our
consciences require. Even then, we
maintain our fellowship with them in
any matter where we are not called
upon to so compromise. This ensures
that (insofar as we understand the
Scripture) we do not separate
ourselves from them any further than
they separate themselves from
Christ.
We do not consider
an act of fellowship to be
indicative of total agreement;
indeed, we sometimes find it a
needed expression of love to submit
to others in matters where we do not
fully agree, rather than to prevent
some greater good from being brought
about. Our choice would be to bear
with their wrong rather than
separate ourselves from their good.
We believe it more
scriptural to reflect a heart of
love ready to find a covering for
faults, than to constantly look for
that with which we may disagree. We
will then be known more by what we
witness for than by what we
witness against.
We feel it biblical
never to pressure people to act
in uniformity further than they
feel in uniformity; we use our
fellowship in the Spirit as an
opportunity to discuss our
differences and find this to be the
most effective way of leading others
- or being led by them - into the
light of the Word.
While
enjoying such a wide range of
Christian fellowship, we would not
force this liberty upon those who
would feel otherwise minded. In such
circumstances, we enjoy fellowship
as far as they will permit,
then pray that the Lord would lead
them further into this true liberty
of the common life in Christ.
Therefore, we strive to promote faith in
God, unity of the Spirit among
believers, love and understanding among
all people. We pursue righteousness,
faith, love, and peace with those who
call on the Lord out of a pure heart (2
Tim. 2:22). We seek to walk worthy of
the calling with which we were called,
with all lowliness and humility, and
with longsuffering, bearing with one
another in love, being eager to keep the
unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace
(Eph. 4:1-3).
in all things, Love."
