Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: kosta50
What fellowship? The Apostles wree not fwllos with Jesus. They called Christ their Lord (kyrios); He was their teacher and master, and they were his disciples, students.

2 Cor 13:14, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you."

1 Cor 1:9, "God the Father, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."

Phil 2:1-2, "Furthermore if there is any encouragement in Christ [and there is], if there is any comfort from love, and if there is any fellowship with the Spirit; if there is any affection and mercies, bring to completion my happiness that you might be thinking the same things, having the same virtue love, united in soul, intent on one objective."

The Christian way of life emphasizes our remaining in fellowship with Him. When a believer sins, they fall out of fellowship. This is not the same as the sealing or indwelling of the Holy Spirit, but is associated with phrases such as 'walking in the Spirit', or fellowship with Him.

We only advance in the Christian walk while we are in fellowship with Him. We advance by Him further sanctifying us in faith. All true faith comes from Him. The more faith and doctrine He inculcates in us, the more He sanctifies us.

This also explains how so many believers may slide out of fellowship, attempt to study the Bibel on their own out of fellowship and simply harden their hearts, rather than allowing Him to sanctify them in their spirit, their minds, their hearts, and even physiological impacts in their bodies.

6,686 posted on 07/27/2008 6:08:27 AM PDT by Cvengr (Adversity in life and death is inevitable. Thru faith in Christ, stress is optional.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6681 | View Replies ]


To: Cvengr
English-language Bibles choose the word fellowship, which in its inherent meaning implies equality and is therefore false when it comes to our relationship with God, and a poor choice. I believe it was chosen as such for a reason that refects the Protestant mindset.

"Association" is also a poor choice because one can belong to an association and never communicate with its members.

"Communion" is a much more descriptive word when it comes to our relationship with God. So, if you are saying that those who are not in communion with God, through their own rejection of God grace, then, yes, I agree their reading of the Bible will be deficient.

But, at the same time, any human who shows mercy, if if he is a on-believer, is doing God's work, even if he or she is not aware of it or even if such work is not done to please God. Reading the Bible to do God's work is therefore not necessary, nor is faith reaquired. That much is certian from the Beatitudes.

6,693 posted on 07/27/2008 9:30:56 PM PDT by kosta50 (Eastern Orthodoxy is pure Christianity)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6686 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson