Over the years not too many statements have frustrated me more than “that’s not a test of
fellowship”.  I have been baffled at how ignorant “brethren” are on this very basic subject
matter.  Last week we had an article about the Guardian of Truth Foundation and their errors.  
During the same recorded lecture where they defended their unscriptural cause by perverting
the Scriptures, they also posed the “test of fellowship” questions.  Brethren, this is going to be a
very simple article.  The majority of the remainder of this article is going to be just quotes of
Scriptures.  We are going to scripturally answer some fundamental questions to close the
subject at hand.  Let’s get started...

1. What is sin?
            “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression
    of the law” (I John 3:4).
            “All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death” (I John 5:17).
            “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for
    whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23).
            “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  
    Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth
    forth death” (James 1:14-15).
            “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin”
    (James 4:17).

2. How many sins must I commit before I am lost?
            “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty
    of all.  For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill.  Now if thou
    commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.  So speak
    ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty” (James 2:10-12).
            “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.
    For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the
    devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and
    he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and
    the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that
    loveth not his brother” (I John 3:8-10).
            “And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy
    Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on
    whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.  But Peter said unto him, Thy
    money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased
    with money.  Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the
    sight of God.  Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the
    thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.  For I perceive that thou art in the gall of
    bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity” (Acts 8:18-23).

3. Does God have fellowship with those who are in sin (have not repented of even “A” sin)?
            “Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear
    heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God,
    and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2).
            “The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous”
    (Proverbs 15:29).
            “Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of
    God, and doeth his will, him he heareth” (John 9:31).
            “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their
    prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (I Peter 3:12).

4. Can we have fellowship with those that are not in fellowship with God?
            “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have
    fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus
    Christ.  And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.  This then is the
    message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him
    is no darkness at all.  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness,
    we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have
    fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all
    sin” (I John 1:3-7).
            “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 1:9-11).
            “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the
    words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is
    proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh
    envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and
    destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself” (I
    Timothy 6:3-5).
            “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove
    them” (Ephesians 5:11).

5. When should we stop trying to teach those whom have sinned and broken their fellowship
with God and us?
            “A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing
    that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself” (Titus 3:10-
    11).
            “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if
    he repent, forgive him.   And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven
    times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him” (Luke 17:3-4).
            See also: Matthew 7:6, Matthew 18:15-17, Romans 16:17-18, and II Thessalonians
    3:6; 14-15.
Volume VIII    ~    Issue L   ~   September 7th, 2008
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)?  Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17),
repent of their sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins
(Acts 2:38 and Romans 6:1-6).  Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church
of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47 and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16).  One must then remain faithful (Colossians
1:23 and Revelation 2:10).  There is more to cover than is here.  Contact me today for a study:
brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
Edited by: Brian A. Yeager
When Is It A “Test Of Fellowship”?
By: Brian A. Yeager