Is "The Placing of Fellowship" Scriptural? Part 8

In part 8 we will begin in Colossians. As is his habit, Paul begins with a greeting discussing the source of his authority and to whom he is writing.

Paul was an apostle by the will of God (1:1) and was writing in conjunction with Timotheus. He was writing to the "saints and faithful brethren which are at Colosse" (v.2).

Note that to Paul, who likely had not visited Colossae at this point, the saints in that city were already brethren.

Here is a good point to interject some historical knowledge into the situation with the caveat that this is conjecture, not inspired Scripture, but it is a point worth thinking about.

The population of the region was held to include 11,000 Jewish males based on the work of Cicero. There were numerous other peoples in the region so the population of the town at a time where travel took much longer than it does today. Nowhere is it revealed how many saints were at Colossae. Do you suppose they all gathered together or that they were in 2 or more congregations based on population, travel capabilities, acoustics, and such factors?

This is of course nothing but a thought question that we do not have a Biblical answer to and as a result is at best something we can make educated guesses on.

What we know for sure is that Paul considered these people to be saints and faithful brethren, even though they were about 1200 miles apart.

Furthermore, the people at Colossae are remarked on for their virtue of having love for ALL the saints (v. 4)

Just as we have already seen, there is but one kingdom. This is re-emphasized in verses 1:9-3:11. It is quite a lengthy passage that deals again and again with the same theme.

For example, in verse 12 he discusses the way Paul and Timotheus, along with the Colossians whom he has never met are fellow partakers of the inheritance of the saints.

Together, they have been translated into the kingdom of Jesus (v. 13). There is but one kingdom, not several. In case this has not been made abundantly clear by the dozens of references we have seen in the first 8 parts, he once more states it clearly, indisputably, and unarguably; there is one church. "And he is the head of the body, the church." (v. 18)

Paul, in Rome, and the saints at Colossae, are part of the same body. If someone is of a different body than that of Scripture, they are not a Christian but instead part of a perversion of Christ, a different Gospel and we have already seen that means they are to be accursed.

We should tread lightly when we dispute with the Scriptures which clearly and repeatedly tell us there is one body, one church, one kingdom, a unity of the saints.

He continues the thought, telling us the purpose of Jesus dying on the cross was to keep the saints settled in the faith and hope of the gospel (20-23).

Paul then references the persecutions and tribulations he himself had suffered and points out he has done so for the sake of the body of Christ..."which is the church." (24).

Paul goes on to show us he makes no distinction whom he preaches Christ to (v. 28) which begs the question; who are we to do that which Paul would not?

Paul stresses that he has had conflict for all whom have seen him (2:1) which we know was a vast number of people, for he traveled extensively, staying some times for short periods and other for long lengths of time. He traveled with a variety of companions, and other times sent forth trusted brethren to work in areas he could not. He encountered various people who were also going from place to place and the purpose that all the conflicts he experienced was, "that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love" (v. 20).

Furthermore, let us briefly consider the nature of Christianity. Is is spiritual or physical? This requires the reader to have familiarity with Scripture and Scriptural concepts. If you do not, then please study the Word with great seriousness and dedication to discover it. Paul wrote that our battle was not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual powers of darkness.

Knowing that Christianity is in many ways far more about spirit than physicality, what meaning does that impart to his statement in verse 5, "for though I be absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in the spirit"? I think it is clear that Paul is stating he has fellowship with those of Colossae...again, people with whom he had limited or no physical contact. yet he was with them in spirit. Was he fellowshipping with them or not? We do know he considered them his brethren(1:2).

He then tells us yet again that we are rooted in and built up in Christ (v. 7), not in the local congregation, not in the teaching of Paul, not in anything but Christ. Everything starts there.

He also warns us not to be spoiled by philosophy, vain deceit, the rudiments of the world, or vain traditions.

Now, I have heard the placing of fellowship defended as tradition and asked what the harm was. The harm is simple; it leads to people applying other "good ideas' of man that are not part of the Scripture. It leads to further false teachings and expectations of other a-or anti-Scriptural behaviors. It contradicts the sacred writings, which ARE inspired, in favor of the ideas of men which are not inspired.

Instead, we are complete in Christ (2;10-12). We are buried with Christ, not with other Christians. The importance is not in meat, drink, or holy days, but is rather the body of Christ (v. 16-17) and all the joints are knit together (v.20), which clearly speaks against the division inherent in saying that different congregations are different bodies. They are unified in the body of Christ and to say otherwise is to contradict the clear, concise, inspired statements of Scripture.

So then in chapter three we see that we are risen with Christ (v. 1) and there is no division; Christ is all and in all (v. 11). You are not a Greek Christian...you are a Christian. You are not a Jewish Christian...you are a Christian. You are not a barbarian Christian...you are a Christian. You are not a Californian Christian...you are a Christian. You are not an American Christian...you are a Christian.

Either you are a Christian or you are not. If you are a Christian, then all the trappings of Christianity are part of you; brotherhood with all who believe, with all the saints, having Christ in you and being in Christ. You are in fellowship with all who are in Christ.

If you are in fellowship with all who are in Christ, and someone is not in fellowship with you because you have not placed fellowship with them, where does that put the person who is not in fellowship with the one who is in Christ?

In case this is not clear, Paul once again points out there are two states; those within and those without (4:5). Either you are within Christ or you are outside of Christ.

He then foes on to send Tychicus to find out in person what is going on with the Colossians (v. 7) and to tell them in person how he is doing (v. 8). Along with Tychicus, he sent Onesimus, " a faithful and beloved brother". Was Onesimus already a faithful and beloved brother to the Colossians?

he then goes on to list a variety of fellow workers and they extend their greetings (10- 18). There are some interesting notes here.

The people at Laodicea are brethren to Paul. We do not know where Nymphas and the church in his house were. We do know that, just as those at Laodicea, they were brethren to Paul and since the admonition is for those at Colossae to greet the brethren, we know they were also brethren together. We have already seen that brotherhood is in Christ.


We are now 8 parts into this study. We have seen extensive examples that brotherhood is in Christ, that He has but one body and all who are Christians are brothers with one another. There is no distinction between location, nationality, origin, status as slave or free, Jew or Gentile, Greek or Barbarian, person of one city or another.

There has not been one command, principle, or example of people placing fellowship. Quite the contrary, we have seen repeatedly that even Christians who had never met WERE ALREADY AND CONTINUOUSLY in fellowship. All who are Christian are part of the body of Christ, and anyone who is part of that body is by definition in fellowship with all Christians everywhere. The one who has not has created an artificial division that contradicts the Word of God.

At some point we might return to this study, but for the time being, we will move on and look at some other matters.

This can be considered a conclusion for the time being.

If you have any questions, comments, or want to add your own thoughts, I encourage you to do so.