Fellowship: With God and His People, The Way of Christ Without Denominationalism by Samuel G. Dawson

Fellowship: With God and His People
The Way of Christ Without Denominationalism

Samuel G. Dawson

New Second Edition and Expanded

$18.95
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ISBN 0-938855-58-1

432 pages with comprehensive
scriptural and topical indexes

Written to all who want to serve Christ without allegiance to denominational creeds, doctrines, or organizations, Fellowship: With God and His People covers topics vital to both Christians and non-Christians. Countless individuals want true nondenominational Christianity, but they don't know how to find it.

This book came about after Samuel G. Dawson spent 18 years preaching and struggling with the various facets of fellowship. It was enthusiastically received in the many congregations where he preached it. The chapters "How to Deal with Brethren You Disagree With" and "Dealing with the Uncommitted" seem to especially strike responsive chords with Christians.

This book helps Christians deal with issues that hamper the work of local congregations and cause discouragement among God's people.

Ideal for: Individual Study, Preaching, Elders,
Adult Classes, Personal Evangelism, New Converts, Gifts

See the following for more information about Fellowship: With God and His People, The Way of Christ Without Denominationalism:

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This Book Will Significantly Affect Your View of:

Your Own Fellowship with God
Every Single Christian in the World
Every Single Congregation in the World
Every Religious Person You Meet
Every Irreligious Person You Meet
Those Deceived by False Teachers
Every Controversial Question You Confront
The Harm of Denominationalism
The Non-Denominational Way of Christ
Confidence in Christ vs. an Organization
Fellowship Within a Local Church
Denominationalism Within the Body of Christ
Christ-like Treatment of Brethren You Disagree With
Scriptural Resolution of Doctrinal Disagreements
Personal Evangelism Without Denominational Concepts
How Public Confession of Sin Should Be
Squandering Less Time on Things God Never Intended
Spending More Time on Things God Really Desires
Less Majoring in Minors and Minoring in Majors
The Restoration Movement in America
How Churches Can Cooperate Nondenominationally
Church Discipline
Where to Worship When You Travel
How to Deal with Uncommitted Christians
"Do You Believe You're the Only Ones Going to Heaven?"
Should Local Churches Exist?
The Body of Christ and the Lord's Supper

See the following for more information about Fellowship: With God and His People, The Way of Christ Without Denominationalism:

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1: What the Word "Church" Means
What Is a Church?
The Church of Christ Is a Collective of People
"Church" Is a Non-Descriptive Collective Noun

Chapter 2: Differences Between the Universal Church and a Local Church
Distinction in Fellowship
Distinction in Manner of Entry
Distinction in Enrollment
Distinction in Effect of Death
Distinction in Beginning
Distinction in Number
Distinction in Earthly Organization
Distinction in Divisibility
Distinction in Shepherds
Distinction in Composition
Distinction in Necessity of Belonging
Distinction in Assembling
Distinction in Work
Distinction in Founder

Chapter 3: The Relationship of the Universal Church and the Local Church
How They Are Not Related
How They Are Related
What Is Not on This Figure

Chapter 4: Fellowship with God
Fellowship Defined
Discussion of II Cor. 6.14-18
Fellowship with God

Chapter 5: Fellowship with Others
God Wants Us to Be in Fellowship with Other Christians
Easy Ways That Won't Work
"Be Not a Partaker of Other Men's Sins"
Fellowship of an Individual with a Congregation
Does Local Fellowship Require Complete Doctrinal Agreement?
Principles to Guide Us in Making Decisions As a Local Church
Definition of a Local Church

Chapter 6: Dealing with Doctrinal Differences (free chapter)
We Naturally Expect Lions and Lambs to Have Problems
Solving Problems Together Builds Bonds Between Brethren
Is the Restoration Over?
Bible Study vs. Creed Rehearsal
Unless We Learn Some Lessons, We're Doomed to Undergo Splits
Questions Showing the Extent of Doctrinal Differences
We're Not Saved by Perfect Doctrinal Correctness
What About I Cor. 1.10 and II John 9?
What Can We Differ on and Still Be in Fellowship?
Principles for Solving Problems
Maintain the Independence of Local Congregations
The Difference Between Contending and Being Contentious
What God Has Always Required

Chapter 7: Applications
How Our Language Should Change
How to Teach People in the World
Church Discipline
Church Cooperation--Sponsoring Churches
Does the Universal Church Have Collective Work?
Attitudes Toward Brethren with Whom We Differ
Are Members of Other Congregations Our Brethren?
"Is It Correct to Speak of 'Erring Brethren'?"
How About Brethren in Congregations Involved in Collective Action We Do Not Believe Is Scriptural?
How Public Should Confession of Sin Be?
Legalities on Discipline
Is There an Exclusive Proper Name for a Local Church?
Who Can Baptize?
Are There Saved in Denominations?
Assembling While Travelling
When Do Private Sins Become the Church's Concern?

Chapter 8: Dealing with the Uncommitted
A Brief Review of the Bible's Teaching on Church Discipline
Subjection Cannot Be Forced
God Hates Obedience Motivated by Wrong Attitudes
For What Sins Should Fellowship Be Withdrawn?
The Difference Between Withdrawing Fellowship and Recognizing It Does Not Exist
Five Common Cases of Discipline
Procedures in Discipline

Chapter 9: Teaching Others: The Way of Christ Without Denominationalism (free chapter)
Chart One: Allegiance to God
Chart Two: Fellowship with God
Chart Three: Fellowship with Other Christians

Appendix 1: The Harm of Denominations
The Atheist's Unanswerable Argument Against Denominations
The Greatest Enemy of True Religion Is Religion Itself
Creeds Produce Denominationalism
The Harm of Denominational Creeds

Appendix 2: Faith: The Least Understood Bible Subject
What Is Faith?
Faith Is Not Peculiar to Religion
Faith Is an Act of the Mind
How Does Faith Come?
Mental Assent Alone Is Not Enough

Appendix 3: Arguments Against Baptism Answered
The New Testament's Teaching on Baptism
Many Today Do Not Accept This Teaching
Jesus Wasn't Baptized for the Remission of Sins and We Are to Follow His Example
The Blood of Christ Remits Our Sins, Not Baptism
Baptism Is a Work, and We're Not Saved by Works
Paul Said Christ Didn't Send Him to Baptize, Therefore Baptism Must Not Be Essential to Our Salvation
What About the Thief on the Cross?

Appendix 4: II John 9 and the Teaching of Christ
Doctrine About Christ or From Christ?
Background of Gnosticism
What Is the Doctrine of Christ?
The Positive View

Appendix 5: An Introduction to a Local Church
Appendix 6: Denominational Action in the New Testament?
Phil. 4.15-16 and II Cor. 11.8
Acts 11.27-30
An Unbreakable Parallel with Baptism
I Believe in Church Cooperation

Appendix 7: The Sponsoring Church: An Example of Denominational Action
Many Think Problems Should Be Ignored
Clearing Up a Misconception
What the Issue Is Not
What the Issue Is
This View of the Eldership Used to Be Held Generally Among Us
The Herald of Truth Is a Denominational Work, Not Local
The Herald of Truth Is a Denominational Work Under a Local Eldership
The Sponsoring Church Destroys the Autonomy of Every Congregation Involved
Opposition to the Sponsoring Church Concept Is Not New
The Sponsoring Church Concept Is New
The Sponsoring Church Concept Is Older Than the Abilene Lectureships
The Herald of Truth's Teaching Compromised
Worse Than Compromise, Just Plain False Teaching
Reaction of Former Supporters
The Size of the Problem
Appendix 8: Should Local Churches Exist?
Holt's Position Concerning a Local Church
What Is Missing?
Ekklesias of Non-Christians Had Four Characteristics
Local Groups of Christians in the New Testament Had These Same Four Characteristics
Brief Review of Embrey
Holt's "Fellowships" or "Forums"
Holt Doesn't Understand What a Denomination Is
Conclusion
Appendix 9: The Body of Christ and the Lord's Supper
Part I: Erroneous Views of the Body of Christ
Part II: Erroneous Views of the Lord's Supper
Controversial Question Number One: One Cup for One Body
Controversial Question Number Two: One Bread for One Body
Controversial Question Number Three: One Communion for One Body
Is There a Bible Example of a Second Offering of the Lord's Supper?
Positive Argument for Second Offering of the Lord's Supper
The Second Offering of the Lord's Supper Leads to Abuse by Brethren

Appendix 10: Corporate Documents of the Gospel Guardian Foundation
Ideal for: Individual Study, Preaching, Elders,
Adult Classes, Personal Evangelism, New Converts, Gifts

See the following for more information about Fellowship: With God and His People, The Way of Christ Without Denominationalism:

Topics Covered | Table of Contents | What People Say | Samuel G. Dawson | Place an Order | Top

Free Debate on Fellowship

Check out The Dawson-Graham Debate: What Constitutes a Denomination? available free online. This debate gave Sam an opportunity to test concepts he set forth in his Fellowship: With God and His People: The Way of Christ Without Denominationalism book.

What People Say
Great Material for Preaching
I just finished preaching two lessons from Sam's material here, as most of our folks are new and have not heard it. Some of them are out of the institutional backgrounds and some are new converts. It's pretty funny to see reactions sometimes. (ID preacher)
Thanks for Reproducing the Incorporation Articles of Gospel Guardian
Definitely agree on the Guardian of Truth influence -- and what an incredible quote in the Incorporation language... they really believe that, too.. (AL elder)

Thanks for the "Churches of Christ denomination" email [prepublication review]. Looks good. Hope our denominationally minded brethren will listen up, especially those who are one [denomination] but really don't want to be. (OR preacher)

It is unbelievable to me what some are doing and saying in the name of defending truth. It is becoming an excuse for outright sectarianism. We encounter our share of it around here. (FL preacher)
Best Treatment of Fellowship
Just a general thank-you for the study and work that you have done. Best treatment of Fellowship I have ever seen. (AL Christian)

Just received my first copy of your new Fellowship edition ... excellent ... I am going to read the whole thing again .. (AL elder)

See the following for more information about Fellowship: With God and His People, The Way of Christ Without Denominationalism:

Topics Covered | Table of Contents | What People Say | Samuel G. Dawson | Place an Order | Top

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