Some people have tried to juxtapose these two words by saying those who advocate freedom are opposed to fellowship, but nothing could be further from the truth.

In the first-century, at the start of the fledgling “Church”, that group was all about enduring & overcoming” until the end. They were surrounded by a world that was not yet theirs. They were “occupiers until Christ comes”.

But if what we say is true about Christ and His victory, then we must wonder about this bunker mentality where groups of us huddle together (often under the “leadership” of a para-Apostolic Moses-like leader) in little isolated associations we call “local churches”.

When we speak of freedom we do not mean licentiousness (nor do we believe it leads to rebellion) but rather we speak of the freedom that comes with no longer being the enduring ones or the overcoming ones, or the watching ones, but rather the ones that come after all of that.

And by saying we are free and take hold of that freedom we do not mean to imply that the first-century Christians were in bondage to the Apostles or the elders, but rather those offices were necessities in a whole creation that was groaning to be delivered into freedom.

What now do we suppose? That each person does what is right in his own eyes? That no man needs to seek the counsel of others? That each man interprets Scripture as is convenient to himself? Certainly that is and will be the accusation by some against this call to freedom and victory, just as it was during the first Reformation.

Rather, we see those who do advocate and desire freedom and victory in Christ, still seeking each other out. There is still this innate desire for Christians to be with other Christians. They still seek out fellowship; be it at a conference, at an Internet chat (like PalTalk.com), at website forums, at small gatherings in homes, at coffee shops, and even in the traditional congregations.

It sends mixed messages when we are told we MUST be part of a local church, and that we MUST be under the “covering” of a pastor or board of elders – never mind all the biblical support against these offices continuing beyond the first-century, even our current situations prove that none of us would be preterists if our former churches and pastors had their way and yet some desire to simply carry over this situation with a new gloss. Perhaps these places will be transitional as more and more people grasp the freedom that has been wrought and the victory that has been won.

There are many places to seek out fellowship but we must not simply create another denomination nor see ourselves as vagabonds instead of victors.

One place I would like to highlight is a group here in my own area called the North Indianapolis church of Christ. This group comes very close to what I believe the Bible teaches about the post first-century “church”.

This group has no pastor, and indeed teaches men should not be paid to preach the Word (that is not the same as men who teach at universities, before someone makes the comparison). This group advocates that first-century elders were Apostolically appointed and therefore even if we wanted elders today it would not be the same. This group interacts together in DIALOGUE instead of a Moses-on-the-Mount-like MONOLOGUE when it comes to discussing Scripture. Scripture that by the way is complete, no longer being uttered by Apostles. The canon is closed. This group even has a live webcast where people watch live broadcasts of their meetings and type interaction in real-time. (You can download the software here)

Imagine if groups like this were everywhere, and people could seamlessly interact with more than one – hopefully in person. Now, perhaps some people will object and say what I have just described is no different than the traditional view of “church”. I beg to differ, for the traditional PROTESTANT view of “church” retains many aspects of the Roman Catholic view of “church” which in turn retains many aspects of the Jewish concept of “church/synagogue/Temple” practices, again with a “priest-like” leader that feeds the words to mere sheep, that doles out the “sacraments”, that leads the prayers as if no one else is able. As hurtful as this may be to some of those among us, it is time we stop playing “church” and start LIVING the KINGDOM in freedom and victory. We welcome them with open arms into fellowship not feudalism. We declare victory not vassalism.

I urge us all to seek out fellowship among many so that we do not return to the isolated positions we once held. May Christ be declared King!

In Christ victorious,
Roderick