In the course of the conversation with a couple of Christians, the name of a "well-known" preacher was mentioned. One of the brothers said, "Who is that?" Who is that? Why, everyone ought to know who this preacher is. Alas, it was not the case.

Then the painfully obvious dawned on me: he doesn’t need to know. It is enough that he works and worships according to the plan of God within the context of a local group of saints. His soundness is not to be determined by who he knows and what he thinks of the various preachers around the "brotherhood." If he never again hears the name of this "well-known" brother or develops an opinion about him, that is fine. He can still go to heaven. And isn’t this all that really matters?

The Bible tells us to "love the brotherhood" (1 Pet. 2:17). This is just another way of saying, "love the brethren." It tells us to love the family of people who belong to God. Sometimes we may conjure up images in our minds about some brotherhood machine under which the "brotherhood" operates in a conglomerate fashion. Hence, we think of "brotherhood preachers," "brotherhood papers," "brotherhood fellowship," and the like, thinking that we need to love these things in order to "love the brotherhood." We may think in terms of some interconnected system by which a brotherhood is joined and maintained; to "love the brotherhood" is to love some organization. This concept may even include the idea that the brotherhood is composed of congregations instead of individual Christians (brothers and sisters). The "brotherhood" may thus be thought of as a web of congregations that are considered to be sound.

But all of that describes a denominational concept. A denomination operates under the idea that their particular "brotherhood" falls under their organizational umbrella. Whatever the organization decides, then that is what the "brotherhood" should do. Anyone who deviates does not "love the brotherhood" and should be "disfellowshiped" or marked by the brotherhood unit.

Certainly Peter did not mean to convey such thoughts when he wrote, "love the brotherhood." He was only telling us to do what other biblical writers have said. We should "love one another" (1 Jn. 3:11). It describes the attitudes and actions by which we should treat each one who belongs to the Lord. We "love the brotherhood" by loving our fellow-believers in Christ. We practice this by showing it toward each individual Christian with whom we have the privilege of association. The term "brotherhood" does not describe congregations, or fellowship from one congregation to another. It speaks of individuals who belong to God.

The "Brotherhood" and "Fellowship"

There is no scriptural system or organization that can determine who is in or out of fellowship with "brethren-at-large." From this standpoint, "brotherhood fellowship" is not an issue. No organization, paper, or person has the authority to pronounce that a brother is in or out of fellowship with the "brotherhood." Even if this is attempted, who or what has the right to enforce it or issue a proclamation against all who do not follow it? The one who would claim the right to do this might as well claim to be the Pope.

Fellowship, in the broadest sense, is determined solely by God, not by any man. In other words, God determines who is in or out of fellowship with Him. He tells us that faith and obedience to His will are necessary to receive His grace and fellowship (Heb. 5:9; 11:6; Titus 2:11-14). Those who refuse to obey Him will be eternally lost (2 Thess. 1:7-9). These are things we must teach; and if individuals or congregations deem that a person does not follow the Bible, they may refuse local fellowship. Further, if a group understands that a particular teacher has a bad influence within that local group, they may need to take note of that person (cf. Rom. 16:17). All of that still takes place within the local congregation, not on a brotherhood-wide level.

God may determine that two distant brethren are in fellowship with Him, but since there is no earthly organization or conglomerate means, outside of the local group, through which they are tied together, then the issue of "brotherhood fellowship" is out of our hands. That is God’s jurisdiction, and we should leave it there. Each Christian’s job is to strive to teach and practice what is right. If we do this, the question of fellowship generally takes care of itself anyway.

So fellowship is primarily a local issue, not a brotherhood-wide issue. It is determined first on an individual basis by brethren who come in contact with each other (cf. Gal. 2:9). In order for true fellowship to exist, there must first be that vertical relationship with God that each Christian shares. This is the "common salvation" (Jude 3) and the "common faith" (Titus 1:4) of all who are right with God. On this level, all Christians are in fellowship with each other if they are first in fellowship with God. However, the only fellowship with which we can be truly concerned or do anything about is local, brought about by a joint participation in the things of God (cf. Acts 2:42). On the "brotherhood" level, there is nothing we can do about fellowship; on the local level, fellowship is attained through our joint activities with one another.

A congregation has a right, and obligation, to determine the scope of its fellowship according to the guidelines of Scripture (e.g., 1 Cor. 5; Rom. 16:17). If a group decides to support someone who preaches the gospel, then it enters into a fellowship with that person. In this sense, Paul wrote that "no church shared with me ... but you alone" (Phil. 4:15). A congregation is not "in fellowship," in this sense, with a preacher who is not having a joint participation (e.g., through support) with the group. Fellowship is a local issue in that the group makes decisions about those with whom they will jointly participate in the work of the gospel. This is the extent of any organizational aspects of fellowship. Anything larger than this is denominational.

Individual Christians may also decide to participate in some fashion with a brother or sister outside of the local group context. That is an individual decision. It is not the decision or business of the "brotherhood." If the group with which this individual is identified sees that this fellowship is dangerous or unbiblical, then group action might occur; and it may be necessary. But the extent of the group action is within the local group context. There is no brotherhood action to be taken, as God has given no brotherhood means by which any action may be scripturally taken. Any efforts to activate an organized brotherhood is denominational, whether such efforts come through sponsoring churches or philosophical coercion (i.e., "do it our way or else..."). No authority exists to function as a brotherhood unit.

Conclusion

Christians have a responsibility to make sure that they are obeying the Lord and worshipping in spirit and truth (John 4:24). We put our own fellowship with God in jeapordy if we are not careful. Fellowship with others is irrelevant if we are not first right with God.

By all means, we must "love the brotherhood." But what does that mean? We must love all who belong to God. This is done through individual activity. Each Christian needs to demonstrate that love for one another as each has the opportunities to do so. Christians need each other. God has provided that Christians work together in order to help one another go to heaven (cf. Heb. 10:23-25). This is the significance of local groups.

We need to avoid denominational thinking. Let’s not extend the idea of "brotherhood" beyond that which God has revealed. By remaining firmly fixed in the word of God, we can fulfill our responsibilities and go to heaven ... even if we never know who what’s-his-name is.

Doy Moyer