Fellowship of Believers, Dividers over Doctrine

During a recent conversation with a dear brother in Christ, the question was raised,"How can so many brethren, who are saved, Spirit-led, committed to studying and standing for the scriptures, come to so many different conclusions on points of doctrine, and be so divided over that doctrine?"

The answer is actually quite simple. Men and women who come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior often begin their walk with Christ by attending church, Sunday School, Bible studies and doing their own personal devotions. This practice leads to an increased knowledge of the Word of God, increased faith, and an increased desire to defend the faith and stand on the truth of God's Word.

While this is good for Christian growth and maturity, there is a downside. The sin nature within us, with which we will struggle until the day we are reunited with Christ (in person), often skews or hinders our understanding of the scriptures. Also, our lack of total knowledge of the cultural and situational context can often affect the way we interpret scripture. So, despite the Holy Spirit's helping us understand scriptures, our sinful minds often pick up the wrong message.

Couple this problem with the fact that many who get to this level of study see anything other than what they believe as false doctrine, and you see divisions arise out of the finer points of doctrine.

Some have even gone as far as to take Amos 3:3 out of context to justify breaking fellowship with other believers over minor doctrinal points. Amos 3:3, which says "Can two walk together except they be agreed?" is not dealing with fellowship between believers over doctrinal issues, but rather can Israel and God walk together seeing how Israel continually rebels against God? To relate this to our modern society, can God fellowship with unrepentant sinners? The answer is obviously no.

Now, when we discuss minor points of doctrine, we are discussing doctrines like the timing of the rapture (pre-, mid- or post-tribulation), the Bride of Christ, and if properly understood, even more controversial doctrines.

So, what should be the basis for fellowship among believers? Some give five basic doctrines that all believers must agree on, and others say that the ABA doctrinal statement should be the basis for fellowship. While that may be well and good, these are still man-made lists. What is God's standard for men to fellowship with each other?

1 John 1:7 says "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, then we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin."

To walk in the light means to conduct ourselves the way God has taught us to in the Bible. God expects us to live by faith, to make ourselves available for His service, and to love others. If we are doing that, and we know Jesus as our Savior, then we have sufficient grounds for fellowship. Notice that this standard applies to fellowship between individual believers.

The person who breaks fellowship with everyone who doesn't believe exactly like he does will eventually find himself in a lonely, bitter and angry world. Don't be that person. Live by faith, fellowship with other believers, and let your joy be full (1 John 1:4).