Withdrawing Fellowship?

Last night in a Bible study the matter of "disfellowshiping" or "withdrawing fellowship" was brought up in a discussion. The subject matter was what course of action to take toward someone who has sinned and refuses to repent.

The traditional responses were given: talk to the person, take the elders, tell the congregation, and if none of that works ... withdraw fellowship. The last suggestion caught my attention. It is interesting, but flawed.

Where did we get the notion that we have the authority to withdraw fellowship from someone? If you're loading your spiritual six-shooter, let me do the work for you: "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep aloof from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us" (2 Thessalonians 3:6).

Then there are these verses: "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds" (John 10,11).

And don't forget Romans 16:17, "Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them" (Romans 16:17).

These are only three passages from which we have garnered "proof" that we are to "withdraw fellowship." The problem is that these three passages (along with the others commonly cited) are not dealing with withdrawing fellowship. As one biblical commentator has pointed out, "The expression "withdraw fellowship" is not found in the sacred Scriptures."

Defining fellowship is a difficult task. The Greek word from which we get "fellowship" is koinonia, which refers to sharing a common life. Of course, it is readily apparent that we have altered this definition in church circles.

Another problem with "withdrawing fellowship" is that we do not create fellowship. We neither create it nor deny it. The one who creates fellowship is God. Remember Acts 2:47, "And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved." Or how about this one, "God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:9).

God creates the fellowship we share with other believers. God is the one who adds to His Church. If God is the one who adds, then it follows that He is the only one with the authority to subtract.

So does this negate church discipline? Hardly. Rather, it puts it in a proper context. And it also reminds us that when we "withdraw fellowship" we are relying more on our authority than on God's authority. So to whom are we to draw lines of division (among believers in Christ)? "Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him" (Titus 3:10).

Who is the "divisive person?" He is the one who inflates his opinions into commands and draws lines of fellowship on fellow believers, among other actions contrary to the fruit of the Spirit.

There is a moment when we can no longer share the unity God has given to us. But let us refrain from conforming Scripture to our opinions, of speaking where the Bible has not spoken, and attempting to justify our actions by our interpretation of Scripture, instead of the clear teaching contained within Scripture.