In many assemblies today, if you ask the question, “How many do you have in fellowship?” the answer is often vague, to say the least. It might include a listing of average attendance at the various gatherings of the assembly, such as 35 at the Lord’s Supper, 75 at the Family Bible Hour and 15 at the midweek prayer meeting. Alternatively your question might be answered by another question: “What do you mean by the term ‘in fellowship’?”
Why do we have such difficulty in answering what ought to be a simple question? The answer is that there has been a breakdown in the area of reception to many assemblies. Perhaps this is a pendulum-swing reaction against what are often perceived as rigid, legalistic (and often inconsistent) reception policies in some conservative assemblies. Often in reaction to that is such a lax attitude in many assemblies, that if visitors show up for three Family Bible Hours in a row, they are considered in fellowship!
Face the Facts
First some introductory facts to ponder concerning assembly fellowship:
• There is such a thing as a “within” and a “without” to the local assembly (see 1 Cor. 5:12-13). To put someone away implies that they must have at some time been formerly received to the assembly.
• An “open table” (unguarded by the responsible elders) is unbiblical and can be dangerous. The shepherds are to protect the flock.
• Reception (except for Christians visiting the assembly) is not to the Lord’s Supper, but to the full privileges and responsibilities of the assembly.
• People under discipline from either the local assembly or another assembly ought not to be received (1 Cor. 5:13).*
• The unsaved obviously have no place in the fellowship of the assembly (see Acts 2:41, 47).
Care was taken in reception by the New Testament assembly (see Acts 9:26-29). Letters of commendation were used, in order to assure assemblies that the person visiting their area was sound in the faith and in good standing in their own local church (see Rom. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 3:1-2; Acts 18:27; Col. 4:10; Philemon 1:12, 17).
Advantages of a Careful Reception Policy
As previously stated, many just drift into our assemblies and are assumed to be in fellowship because they attend—on a semi-regular basis—meetings to which the public are invited. Their lack of commitment to the overall life of the assembly has a tendency to be a discouragement to the other saints. Such visitors often have no real convictions concerning Church truth. After someone has visited for a few Lord’s Days, the elders should schedule an appointment to visit them. During this visit the following issues should be discussed:
1. Ascertain if the person is truly saved by asking for their salvation testimony. This could result in opportunities to lead them to Christ, if they are not saved.
2. Have they been baptized as believers? Explain the biblical pattern from Acts 2:41-42—salvation, baptism, reception and continuing steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine, breaking of bread, fellowship and prayers. An unbaptized believer is unheard of in the New Testament Church age, as a careful study of the book of Acts will bare out.
3. Explain the privileges and responsibilities of assembly fellowship. The word “fellowship” means a “holding together in common” and is translated “partnership” in Luke 5:7. This gives a clue as to its real meaning. Used in the context of a fishing business, it means that they shared in both the labor of the business and the blessings of it. In the context of the local assembly, we share the responsibility for the Lord’s work and we also receive in return the shepherd care of the assembly, the prayers of His people, the faithful ongoing ministry of the Word of God, etc.
What is expected of them should be explained in terms of commitment to the gatherings (Heb. 10:25) and activities of the assembly. And they should understand that they will be submitting themselves to the oversight of the elders and the “child training” needed.
New Testament principles must be clearly explained here, too. This may require more than one meeting with them. They need to know what we believe and practice, and especially the reason why.
Once these matters are explained, the person(s) should be strongly encouraged to enter into the fellowship. If they are in agreement, the assembly should be informed of the possibility and any of those in fellowship should have time to visit with the candidates so all are in agreement with receiving these believers.
A time then should be set aside at a public gathering of the assembly to welcome them into the assembly. If they are not ready, it must be made clear to them they are not considered in fellowship, until such time as they ask for, and are received. Then they know where they stand, and the assembly as a whole does also.
What Happens When We are Unclear?
Failure to practice these things will result in the following disadvantages. First, there is the potential of a “mixed multitude.” This definitely has a weakening effect on the whole testimony, and such a mixed gathering is a common feature in some assemblies. These people who have drifted in and never had the truth presented to them often don’t understand the principles of gathering and have a tendency to want to be like other churches rather than walk in conformity to the Word.
There will also be a lack of accountability. The overseers can hardly exhort them to take their responsibilities seriously if they have never acknowledged their desire to be in fellowship or had their privileges and responsibilities explained.
How can we truly discipline, or remove from fellowship those who have never been welcomed in? Their association with us will not stop the general public from judging the assembly’s conduct by the lives and testimonies of this mixed gathering who regularly or haphazardly attend our meetings.
Conclusion
For many assemblies there has been a radical departure from the practice of the NT in this area. It is always easier to start doing things the right way than to admit failure and make the necessary corrections. But unless we do get back to the biblical pattern, we shall continue to be weakened with this “drift in-drift out” mentality. From personal experience I would rather be in an assembly with 25 in fellowship, who know why they are there and are willing to put their hands to the plow than be in an assembly with 200 at the Family Bible Hour who really have little understanding and commitment to the truths of the assembly. There is much more to true Christianity than warming pews!
Written by Mike Attwood