Dear Mr. Rushmore, I have read your December 2005 article on “Why do churches of Christ not fellowship denominations?” I notice that it does not directly deal with a Christian’s association with members of denominations. I would be most grateful if you could provide Bible answers for the following questions: I participate in Bible classes organized by members of the denominations at their homes. We pray on our own before and after the lessons. Have I violated scripture? My neighbor is a member of a denomination. Can I greet her and have conversations with her? My neighbor is a member of a denomination. We are good neighbors. We participate in some social activities like visiting each other’s house and have dinner together and participate in our children’s activities. Have I violated scripture? My colleague is a member of a denomination. We work together on projects. We often have lunch together. Have I violated Scripture? I buy spiritual books from denomination bookshops. Am I supporting their businesses and partake in their spreading of false teaching? I look forward to hearing from you. Rgds, John Chan
There exists in Scripture a clear distinction between religious fellowship enjoyed between faithful Christians and God versus association with non-Christians in this world. First John 1:3 represents religious fellowship between faithful Christians and 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.” First Corinthians 5:9-10 acknowledge the necessity of experiencing some degree of interaction with non-Christians: “I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.” However, Scripture also cautions that this association with non-Christians (or erring Christians) must be self-monitored lest an ungodly influence by our associates tempts us to or actually does lead us to commit sin:
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
Obviously from what you have written and the Scriptures cited, you have not necessarily committed sin by either your normal associations with non-Christians or efforts to study the Bible with them. God did not intend for Christians to form communes to exclude interaction with the rest of the world (Mark 16:15-16). Jesus prayed:
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. (John 17:15-18)
Only you can ascertain whether your association with non-Christians is sinful, by evaluating whether the religious distinction between yourself as a Christian and non-Christians has been compromised. We are, though, supposed to have a preference for brethren (Romans 12:10; Hebrews 13:1; 1 Peter 2:17).
