Series on Fellowship

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     Some months ago we announced that we would begin a series of articles upon the topic of "Fellowship" with the January 1958 issue. It is presently contemplated that this subject will be explored for twelve issues, or throughout the whole year. We propose to examine the teaching of God's Word upon the subject, and to do our best, with our feeble facilities of knowledge, to determine the truth. We shall not be concerned with what our brethren want us to say, nor with what we have taught in the past. Sometimes the brethren prefer that you say what pleases them, rather than God. This has always been true. But we shall be concerned only with the fact that we must answer before God for what we teach, and we shall not be afraid of the challenges of any or all others. Too, we have taught many things in the past in which we were mistaken. We were honest, but we were honestly wrong. We will not continue to teach what we believe to be error just to be consistent with our past. It is better to change and be in the right than to be consistent with that which is wrong.

     For several years we have been saying that the subject of "Fellowship" needed

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a thorough scriptural investigation, without recourse to what this or that faction advocates or endorses. The time has come for us to launch upon this field of research, and we do it very humbly and prayerfully. We are certain that others would be far more capable, but perhaps they will be encouraged to participate when they see those of humbler talent marching forward. We do not expect to please all, and some are already aggravated that we even propose to re-examine the question, while others admit to fears of what will be discovered. We know no such fear, for love of truth casts out all fear. The spirit of all true research is courage to investigate regardless of consequences.

     We shall not be dogmatic. Our readers will not have to agree with our views to be loved and to be in our fellowship. We shall force nothing on any person. We shall simply state our views, and allow brethren to make up their own minds. If they differ with what we write, they will still be our brethren, and we will still love them. It is not necessary for men to agree with our thinking to be loved by us. We are content to allow time to measure our thinking and to meet God in judgment upon our motives and conclusions. All we ask of you is a careful study of what we write!