When I was among the liberals I kept hearing “that’s not a fellowship issue” over various doctrinal matters.  Even in those days I had a very hard time correlating that statement with the word of God.  Now, I am supposedly among a more conservative fellowship, and I still find that I hear that same statement that I heard among the liberals.  Certainly, brethren are going to disagree at times over things.  Some may think that the local church should assemble at 9:00 AM and others 10:00 AM.  Some may think that the book of Jude was written earlier than another might conclude.  However, when it comes down to the black and white of the word of God we need to be of the same mind and judgment (I Corinthians 1:10).  We need to come to the same conclusions or unity is changed into the impossible idea of unity in diversity (Amos 3:3).

     I titled this article “They Are Closing Their Eyes to the Fellowship Controversy” because many brethren are willfully ignoring the stands, and lack thereof, that many are taking on the subject matter of fellowship.  In this article I will cite some examples and then show from the Scriptures why “observing the Passover” (ignoring the situation) is wrong.  Thus, after reading some examples below continue to read what should biblically be done to these men who have been excused for being in error.

     Weldon Warnock, who serves on the “Board of Directors” for the Guardian of Truth Foundation (still as of July 2004), will be our first example of one who has been knowingly overlooked in the fellowship controversy we have today.  In November of 1985 in the publication “Searching the Scriptures” Weldon Warnock affirmed that there could be a second putting away (mental divorce) based upon adultery.  Since that time, Weldon’s false view has been known.  Weldon has since then spoken on lectures with known – marked false teachers such as Floyd Chappelear, Bob Owen, and Ed Harrell (“Preacher Training Seminar” in Annandale, VA, November 11-15, 2002; College View church of Christ Lectureship, June 14-17th, 2004 in Florence, AL).  Weldon has for years been excused from his erring ways.  By who, you might ask.  Many brethren is the answer, such as Larry Dickens, Harry Osborne, Bobby Graham, Larry Hafley, Lewis Willis, Ron Halbrook, Karl Diestelkamp, Connie Adams, Mike Willis, John Isaac Edwards, Bill Cavender, and others held up Weldon’s hands by speaking aside him at the unscriptural First Annual Truth Magazine Lectures held July 12th-15th, 2004 in Bowling Green, KY.  I suppose such should not be a surprise, as the Truth Magazine faction has been putting up with error taught not only by Weldon, but also Ron Halbrook on the subject of Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage for some time now (http://www.truthmagazine.com/powerpoint/BALANCE-MaintainingTimesControversy-11-22-03.ppt).  In addition to the G.O.T. crowd using Weldon in various formats, he continues to be scheduled for Gospel Meetings, used as a writer in publications, and he even carries air time on the radio in WV.  All those who support Weldon are partaking in his evil deeds!

     During the November 2002 “Preacher Training Seminar” that was written about above, which had Ed Harrell, Floyd Chappelear, Bob Owen, and Weldon Warnock on the schedule along with others, there also appeared the name of Earl Robertson.  Earl is another brother whom is being excused for his alliances with brethren who have been marked as false teachers.  Brethren are failing to see who Earl has aligned himself with because of friendship or past respect.  All those who support Earl are partaking in his evil deeds.

     While more known men such as Weldon Warnock and Ron Halbrook are excused from erring fellowship, so are some lesser known brethren that preach in the area of the country I am in.  For example, one who has been a surprise to me in this past year is Paul R. Blake who is an elder and preacher with the Tomlinson Run church of Christ in Georgetown, PA.  Paul was one of many who signed a letter in opposition to Florida College, the staff, and the false doctrine taught on their annual unscriptural Lectureship (http://www.watchmanmag.com/0306/030613.htm).  However, Paul was willing to overlook his own actions and go this year to join hands with marked false teachers such as Bob Owen, Floyd Chappelear, and Brent Hunter by speaking at the Florida College Lectures February 2nd-5th, 2004.  His pattern of erring fellowship continues further as he also is in fellowship with our next example.

     David Brewer of the Westside church of Christ in Pittsburgh, PA not only teaches error on the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, but he too joined hands with men like Ed Harrell, Floyd Chappelear, and Bob Owen at the November 10-14, 2003 “Preacher Training Seminar” in Annandale, VA (if you asked me I’d tell you that it should be called the False Teacher Training Seminar).  However, brethren of his circle ignore such faults, though they stand against and have marked Harrell and company for their false views on fellowship and Romans chapter fourteen.  Those who join David and the others who are erring through their teaching and associations are partaking in his evil deeds.

     According to the inspired Apostle John, when anyone extends fellowship to those in error they are partaking in that evil deed: “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds” (II John 9-11).  What does that mean?  It means that when Weldon Warnock is joined by those men at the Truth Magazine Lectures, without being opposed for his errors, those men are guilty of sin by fellowship with Weldon.  The same is true of the others mentioned above.  The local congregations that support these men in preaching their errors are also partaking in their false doctrines according to II John 9-11.

     One might rebut this article by saying that you cannot know what everyone teaches and who they fellowship everywhere at all times.  That would be true in some cases.  However, in the cases spoken of above, each case is documented and very public.  The Guardian of Truth Foundation (speaking of them as a human institution, for they are) is well aware of Ron Halbrook and Weldon Warnock’s false teachings.  Ron’s doctrine has been placed, as noted above, on the Truth Magazine website.  With Paul Blake, he himself marked Florida College.  With David Brewer, he practices the same doctrines as Harrell and company (unity in diversity), thus he would find himself in company with those like-minded individuals.  Thus, what I have written is incontestable.  Sure, I could have gotten picky and gone after some “lesser known evils”, but I did not.  The cases cited above are not cases wherein ignorance abounds relative to those whom these brethren have chosen to stand beside in fellowship.

     Those of us who desire to practice unadulterated Christianity need to mark [make note of] those who are causing offences contrary to the doctrine of Christ and avoid them (Romans 16:17).  Those of us who desire to stand for the truth and reject politics need to be careful whom we label as “sound preachers”.  The “good ole’ boy” system can sometimes get the best of all of us.  Faithful brethren who are committed to the cause of Christ are always set to defend the Gospel (Philippians 1:17 and Jude 3).  One cannot serve Jesus Christ and those who desire to have their political movements taught as well.  Notice what the Apostle Paul said: “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).  When political agendas exist, the faithful contend against those agendas, and the politically-minded individuals refuse to repent; there will be division.

     Right and wrong do not, will not, and cannot dwell together (II Corinthians 6:14, Ephesians 5:11, and Colossians 1:13).  When brethren cease walking in the light, fellowship with the faithful is severed (I John 1:7).  Marking those who are politically driven simply makes that known and warns others against the divisive acts they are pushing.  When one fails to walk according to the word of God, they cease to have fellowship with God and faithful brethren (II John 9-11).  To help cease error and defend truth, all faithful brethren must stand behind those who want to expose the dirt among the body of Christ.  However, be prepared for the carnal tactics that will be used to combat truth from those exposed in this article.