Paul admonishes the brethren in Corinth to “be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?” “Fellowship” is translated from the word Metoches which means sharing or participating in an idea or set of principles with others of the same persuasion.
The apostle further states, “what communion (Koinonia – the most frequently used Greek word for “fellowship”) hath light with darkness?” (II Cor. 6:14). The word Koinonia is used in a variety of ways but the basic meaning of the word is of having something in common. “Righteousness and unrighteousness” share no more than a few letters of the alphabet and “light and darkness” have nothing in common.
The believers in Paul’s day saw the truth of these statements on a daily basis as they witnessed the practices of paganism in their time. We have a like experience in our contact with the world in these latter times. Surely no one would dispute the necessity of drawing a line between the community of the saints and the gross iniquity of the world. But other than in this obvious matter, where should fellowship lines be drawn today?
Our statement
On page 39 of a booklet entitled “A Guide to The Formation and Conduct of Christadelphian Ecclesias” (1949 edition), the following is set forth:
- That we are a Christadelphian ecclesia.
- That we accept and profess the doctrines and precepts of Christ, as taught in the apostolic writings and defined in the annexed Statement of Faith and Epitome of the Commandments of Christ.
- That we recognize as brethren, and welcome to our fellowship, all who have been immersed (by whomsoever) after their acceptance of the same doctrines and precepts.
These statements are straightforward enough. At one time or another, all Christadelphians belonging to the Central fellowship have subscribed to them or to words which mean exactly the same thing.
We make the point because intimations have been made that some of our brethren are knowingly breaking bread with members of the Unamended fellowship and with the Church of God of the Abrahamic Faith. The justification for such conduct is evidently that members of those communities are not unbelievers, they are not in darkness, they are brethren who differ on non-essential points.
The binding statement of the Central fellowship, however, and our agreement thereto means we have agreed not to follow such fellowship practices. Clause 24 of the BASF and items 15 and 17 of the Doctrines to be Rejected were specifically phrased because of the differences that existed and continue to exist between ourselves and the two communities named above.
If we think the differences are not essential or if we feel the BASF is wrong, then we should openly declare our position and discuss the issues with our local ecclesia. If our whole ecclesia feels this way, then they should say so and discuss the matter with neighboring ecclesias. That is the course of honor and honesty. Anything less is certainly confusing, troublesome and in fact, deceitful.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One