Views: 3<\/p>
[Note: <\/strong>This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1<\/strong> page.]<\/span><\/p>\n When the \u201cBabylon\u201d of the first century was about to be destroyed, God’s faithful people were strongly warned: \u201cCome forth, my people, out of her, that ye have no fellowship with her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues\u201d (Rev. 18:4). This warning applies to God’s people in the \u201cBabylons\u201d of every age, whether composed of believers or unbelievers. The many apostate, digressive congregations of our time certainly qualify as modern \u201cBabylons.\u201d Thousands of saints now find themselves in a congregation whose elders and preacher are not at all concerned with abiding in the \u201cold paths\u201d of Truth and righteousness. These saints are justifiably unhappy, knowing things are not right. What are they to do? The answer is clear from Scripture: \u201cCome forth, my people, out of her\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n One reason the Heavenly voice warned God’s faithful people to \u201ccome forth\u201d was because they must \u201chave no fellowship with her sins.\u201d By staying in a liberal, digressive congregation, one has fellowship with sin, evil, and error. \u201cFellowship\u201d refers to sharing something in common with others or jointly participating with others in a given thing. God has never been pleased when His children take part in and support that which opposes His Truth.<\/span><\/p>\n Notice that the warning specifies that God’s people can \u201chave no fellowship with her sins.\u201d We can have neither \u201cpartial,\u201d \u201csome,\u201d or even \u201ca little\u201d fellowship with sin and error; the rule of Scripture is \u201cNO FELLOWSHIP<\/strong>.\u201d Paul echoed the warning: \u201cBe not ye therefore partakers with them; and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness\u201d (Eph. 5:7, 11; cf. 2 Cor. 6:14\u201318). While both of these passages apply primarily to fellowship with unbelievers, the teaching is the same relating to sinful brethren: \u201cIf any one cometh unto you and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into your house, and give him no greeting: for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works\u201d (2 John 10\u201311).<\/span><\/p>\n God knows nothing of Rubel Shelly’s scheme of \u201cBig F\u201d and\/or \u201cLittle f\u201d \u201clevels of fellowship.\u201d He knows nothing of the Carl Ketcherside and Leroy Garrett heresy alleging that \u201cfellowship\u201d is based on \u201cGospel,\u201d but not on \u201cdoctrine.\u201d Those who remain in churches bent on error should seriously ponder the Scriptural prohibition of any<\/strong> and all<\/strong> fellowship with same. The Lord’s imperative to allies of error is, \u201cCome forth<\/strong>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n [Note:<\/strong> I wrote this article for and it was published in The Edifier, <\/em>weekly bulletin of Pearl Street Church of Christ, Denton, TX, May 3, 1990, of which I was editor.]<\/span><\/p>\n Attribution:<\/strong> From thescripturecache.com<\/em>; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Views: 3[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1 page.] When the \u201cBabylon\u201d of the first century was about to be destroyed, God’s faithful people were strongly warned: \u201cCome forth, my people, out of her, that ye have no fellowship…<\/p>\n