Is 'being in communion' about mere formal acknowledgement that you fall under the same label as others in other places? Or is it a matter of substance? If a matter of substance, then why bother with the formal pretence?
Since a Christian's ultimate standard is God's Word, let's see what it has to say on the matter:
- 1 Cor. 1:9: "God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful."
- 2 Cor. 6:14: "14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?"
- Gal. 2:9: "James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews."
- 1 John 1:3: "We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ."
- Phil 2:1-2: "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. "
The above demonstrate that being in communion (fellowship) refers to a religious sharing, a religious commonness. It is concrete and substantial. It is about being united in Christ, who is LORD. It is not about being united under a mere name that includes those who deny God incarnate is LORD. Being in communion is about the unity of God's elect. Being in communion necessarily presupposes the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, regeneration and a process of sanctification. It is the sign of an unregenerate who denies Christ as LORD of all and the absolute authority of His Word. This is because God, by His nature, is absolutely authoritative and chosing any authority apart from Him is idolatory.
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