Core Essentials of Our One Faith (for fellowshipping with others)?

[Michael37]

35 minutes ago, Tristen said:

your credentials will not be checked at the door.

Hopefully not, but it's a two-way street. My experience is that the ideal doesn't match the real, but while that is not a problem for me it can be for some. I believe the New Testament addresses this very issue.

Speaking of credentials, I have recently been engrossed in a study of 2 Corinthians, all 13 chapters, and as Paul develops the subject of multiple ministry afflictions, he makes sure the grace of God is boasted of as the method of conduct he and his fellow-ministers chose, and that in spite of persistent criticism to the contrary, his authenticity as an apostle of Christ should not be doubted.

After speaking to issues of voluntary network support, Paul, out of frustration it may be imagined, unleashes his foolish authenticity boasting, which under the guidance of the Holy Spirit serves as a testimony of committed, constructive, correctiveness, if I may term it that.

The brilliant thing is that genuine koinonia allows for correction, and considers it a necessity if the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit is to be with us all. (See final verse of 2 Corinthians)

[warrior12]

It again all comes down to the nitty gritty of definitions here as to how the believer defines his reasoning of the word fellowship.  Yes, it may have an official deffinition, which according to dictionary.com is as follow

''friendly association, especially with people who shares one's intrest''.

Using the above is I think what most people would have in mind of what Christian fellowship is about.

Therein lies the outcome of the seperation that exist today as to the multitude of different held beliefs of doctrine and of association, which I think the poster is saying, should be ignored and just the shared interest "in Christ " is to be mutual observed and have spiritual communion with.  Hope I am correct as to the poster intent.

The seperation and denominations that exist today, I think may have evolved due to this very fact that other elements of fellowship which each sees as vital in communion with others in the "Church" settings are of serious matters to them and thus the divide.  

Outside the Church, I think fellowship can take place with conversations that lead to reveal common core beliefs, that was unknown at the beginning of the meeting or however association was assembled.   I would say, worship becomes a huge divide as to how and when and where questions come into play as some would be dogmatic in their outgoings and attendance , in fellowship in this instance.

Fellowship by choice and all the known facts is a road of "experience "that each believer has to make his own decision on how he actually does his.

 

[warrior12]

A question that comes to mind, which I think we are cognizant of but is not mentioned in the discussion here in clear terms, i.e  Biblical fellowship and General fellowship.  Two distinct ways that would be noted by the Christian if I am correct.  If I am not, please explain .

Then things would be more clear as to the word fellowship used in the conversation as to the setting and peculiar people the poster has to be referring to as to the term "In Christ".

There is a scripture verse that I would agree that supports the OP, post in that, what does is matter, but that you the believer have your beliefs pat down about your eternal destination.

 

Romans 8                              King James Version

³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

³⁶ As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

³⁷ Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

[Vine Abider]

7 hours ago, Tristen said:

This all sounds a bit too hard; not to mention a bit cliquey. I'm happy to let God's anointing work through whatever group dynamic He sets me in. I'm not going to say to someone, "Sorry, you have not yet demonstrated yourself qualified to spend time with us".

Am I missing something?

I would not ever think to approach someone with "qualifying questions."  That is, I generally assume someone in a church setting is most likely a believer, and would just commence fellowship on that premise.  If, in the conversation, there arose doubts as to their salvation, I might ask something like, "So how did the Lord save you?"

To me, the purpose of this thread was to show that we generally should approach other Christians with much less "qualifying standards" for fellowship, rather that having a longer list.  The Lord accepts us as blood-bought children of His, and we should too.  If conversation veers off into the nonessentials, which things generally promote disagreement and division, we can (and should) always come back to focus on our wonderful Savior Himself and His work in us! 

(and I might add that if something emerges in the conversation that is downright sinful/immoral, then we should follow the Anointing's leading accordingly . . . speak the truth in love and/or distance ourselves)

CC @warrior12

[Marathoner]

I view it simply. 

I can be the friend of anyone and everyone. That does not imply fellowship at all but rather, I make myself available to my neighbor without reservation. Friendship in this way is in keeping with "love your neighbor as yourself."

I have fellowship with those who belong to Christ. Their "status"... for example, if they are struggling or going through trial and tribulation... is irrelevant. It's clear that the Lord joined us together at that time for His purpose, yes? I would only steer clear if the Spirit counseled me to do so. 

I give those who profess Christ the benefit of the doubt, and there's nothing amiss with that. I'm not looking to disqualify another; that's harsh and unrighteous to say the least. The Lord would deal with me swiftly!

My rule of thumb: if there's something I need to know, the Lord makes it known. I don't have to worry. 

[Vine Abider]

2 hours ago, warrior12 said:

Then things would be more clear as to the word fellowship used in the conversation as to the setting and peculiar people the poster has to be referring to as to the term "In Christ".

I see being in Christ as being the essential prerequisite for fellowship.  That's because we were all made one body in Him and all made to drink of one Spirit. (1 Cor 12:12-14)  So His life in us is the essential ingredient for fellowship - that's it!

And the Anointing in us will certainly let us know if the basis (being born again) for this fellowship in the one Spirit is there. (and the OP was meant as making fellowship with fellow members of His body a simpler and easier concept, not more complex . . .)

"That you also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." 1 John 1:3

cc @Tristen @Marathoner

[Marathoner]

Amen! It's not complicated nor difficult. I love how @Vine Abider put it some time ago, and it's worth repeating for the sake of this topic:

Ask the Life. What does He say?

The Life is our Lord and Savior, and He does indeed answer His own. Speak to the Lord and He listens; listen for His voice and He shall speak to you. 

Trust the Lord. Rest. Praise God!

[Neighbor]

33 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

That is, I generally assume someone in a church setting is most likely a believer, and would just commence fellowship on that premise.  If, in the conversation, there arose doubts as to their salvation, I might ask something like, "So how did the Lord save you?"

 

Hi, Might I suggest that not all in a church worship setting  are Christian. I know some, and likely even many, present at all services are not.  

To engage in church speak  with, "how did the Lord save you?" might well become  presumptive in their mind, and also  is very likely a foreign tongue to such a person. Even if understood, it is a question without an answer.  Unless they wish to say "I am not saved."  

I have not ever heard one do that yet; however when there is some version  of an altar call,  or invitation to chat, a few  and sometimes many do partake, as they are called into seeking understanding,  or really are called of the Holy Spirit to make decisions about their eternity.

Eternity itself is a foreign concept to  those without heeding the call by the Holy Spirit to eternal life with Jesus. So speaking of eternal salvation opens up in cross talk for there is no basic or common meaning to the words eternity  nor salvation.

One can't be saved if there is no understanding of the need,  nor  even what it is one is being saved from. It is more like the line from the movie Oh Brother Where  Art Thou where Baby Face Nelson  robbing a bank declares  Jesus saves but George Nelson withdraws. Funny line I suppose but it illustrates cross talk.

 

 

 

[Vine Abider]

2 hours ago, Neighbor said:

Hi, Might I suggest that not all in a church worship setting  are Christian. I know some, and likely even many, present at all services are not.  

To engage in church speak  with, "how did the Lord save you?" might well become  presumptive in their mind, and also  is very likely a foreign tongue to such a person. Even if understood, it is a question without an answer.  Unless they wish to say "I am not saved."  

I have not ever heard one do that yet; however when there is some version  of an altar call,  or invitation to chat, a few  and sometimes many do partake, as they are called into seeking understanding,  or really are called of the Holy Spirit to make decisions about their eternity.

Eternity itself is a foreign concept to  those without heeding the call by the Holy Spirit to eternal life with Jesus. So speaking of eternal salvation opens up in cross talk for there is no basic or common meaning to the words eternity  nor salvation.

One can't be saved if there is no understanding of the need,  nor  even what it is one is being saved from. It is more like the line from the movie Oh Brother Where  Art Thou where Baby Face Nelson  robbing a bank declares  Jesus saves but George Nelson withdraws. Funny line I suppose but it illustrates cross talk.

 

 

 

Yeah, I get it.  I don't know that I would specifically ask "So how did you come to be saved?"  Hopefully I would be lead of Him as to what to say, because any presupposed method on my part would really just be my doing and would fall short.

And frankly, I don't know I've ever come across that particular scenario.  In our local gatherings, if anyone sticks around after all the various testimonies of, "Jesus is Lord!" and "This is what Christ working in me this week did" and such, they are very likely saved already and/or a seeker.

[Marathoner]

I've been drawn to some by the Lord who wouldn't meet anyone's definition of a Christian. I never forget that He loved me before I knew Him so unless the Spirit restrains me, I withhold nothing. These eyes and minds of flesh are blind and know nothing of the Lord. 

To the assertion that not everyone in a given place is a Christian, I can only respond, "so what?" That isn't our concern. Our own conduct and relationship with the Lord is what matters, and our living example walking in the Spirit speaks where religiosity falls flat.