When should we break fellowship with a brother in Christ?

 

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42)

 

There are a good many people who are more interested in breaking fellowship than in cultivating it. I am fearful of such men. I have often had men to “break fellowship” with me. Some have broken fellowship with me because I am not a Landmark Baptist. Others break fellowship with me because I am not a legalist, denouncing me as a base antinomian. Some have broken fellowship with me because they say I preach too much grace and others because I do not preach their brand of eschatology. A preacher I have known for years decided to break all fellowship with me because I differ with him about the number of elders a church with ten men must have!

 

      When should we break fellowship with a brother in Christ? I answer, — Never! True fellowship in Christ can never be broken, anymore than true love can become hatred. If my brother falls, I am not to trample on him, but lift him up. If he strays, I am not to cut him off, but embrace him. If he errs, I am not to kick him out of the way, but lead him in it.

 

      I have had some experience in this matter. Once, a group of preachers got together and prayed for God’s judgment to fall upon me. What they rejoiced in as God’s curse upon me was truly his greatest possible blessing. I pity such malicious men. Their doctrine is so weak that it must maintain its adherents by fear of a curse. I never have broken, nor do I ever intend to break fellowship with a brother in Christ. Find me a man who truly believes the gospel of God’s grace, and you have found me a companion. Find me a man who loves Christ, and you have found a man whom I shall love. Find me a man who preaches the gospel of God’s free, sovereign grace in Christ, seeks the glory of my God, and labors for the interest of Christ’s kingdom, and you will have found a soldier by whose side I shall gladly serve my Master.

 

      I am not interested in breaking fellowship. I am interested in building fellowship. The boundary of my fellowship with men is as broad as the gospel of Christ and as limited as the gospel. I have many friends around the world who, though they clearly believe the gospel of Christ, differ with me on various points of doctrine. We are fully aware of our differences. They, as I, are passionate about the things they believe. Yet, we are friends, walking in sweet fellowship in the kingdom of God.

 

      If our friendship ceases, if our fellowship is broken, it will be because they have chosen to break it. I will not do so. How can I refuse fellowship with one who is my brother in Christ? Arminian, freewill, works religion of every form I denounce as heresy. There is no common ground of fellowship between worshippers of God and will-worshippers! But those who embrace the Christ of God I delight to embrace as my brethren. If the triune, sovereign God is your God, if you rejoice in God’s free electing love, Christ’s effectual blood atonement, the Holy Spirit’s omnipotent mercy and irresistible grace, if you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, give me your hand. We are brethren!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don Fortner

 

 

Listen to sermons at FreeGraceRadio.com