FELLOWSHIP
ASSOCIATE PASTOR GERALD RENNER,
<¶ That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
¶ This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.> I John 1:1-7.
I’m glad to be able to add my testimony to those of the brethren who have so ably presented the Truth of God’s Word. My subject is on “Fellowship.” The “Fellowship” that we are talking about is the fellowship around the Word of God, the Word promised for our day, the Word of Promise that will bring us into that revival, which we’ve been looking for so long.
The Apostle Paul said:
II Corinthians 6:14-18 <Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (Well, none at all!)
And what concord hath Christ with
Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement
hath the
WHAT IS FELLOWSHIP
What is “fellowship,” then, Brother Renner?
The dictionary says that “fellowship” is “The condition or relation of belonging to the same class or group.”
Brother William Branham often quoted Brother F.F. Bosworth who
said that “fellowship” is two fellows in one ship; they had something in common. We have also heard it said that, “Broken fellowship is like a fish out of water.”
In the Scriptures that we have just read, we find that real, true fellowship requires a common bond, something that ties people together, something they each can relate to, something that each one can believe in or work for.
For some, that common bond might be a place of work; It might be a social club such as used to be in the building here—the Moose, or the one down the street—the Elks; it might be a social club as where people troop in and out on the seventh day—Sunday—denominational social organizations. It might be a fishing or hunting club; it might be a hobby like stamp collecting or travel. It might be almost anything. Some common interest—fellowship.
The Apostle John, as we read here in the first chapter of the First Epistle of John, claimed, and truly had, fellowship with “the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” If we desire to have fellowship with John, then we must have fellowship with God as well. A man like John didn’t desire to have fellowship just for the sake of sitting around talking. No. His fellowship was with God and, if we want to fellowship with John, then we have to fellowship with God, too. Without that common bond, there can be no real fellowship with John.
How do we have fellowship with God?
We have to believe His Word. If God came and told us something and we said, “Well, I don’t know; we’ve heard a lot of things and I don’t know if I really believe that or not.” You’re not having fellowship with God. You can attend service every time the doors are open; you can pay your tithes and give offerings and help with the building program; you can jump and shout and speak in tongues and dance all over the church, but if you don’t believe His Word, there is no true fellowship. We must believe His Word and worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. Brother Branham said:
Quote W.M.B.: E-21 God wants us to fellowship. There’s something in us to make fellowship. Man’s always wanted to do it. But he’s always tried to achieve by his own knowledge how to bring it. And he will never be able to do it.
“There’s only one place of genuine fellowship, and that’s under the shed Blood of the innocent. Fellowship 62-0519.
Our fellowship today must be around the revealed Word that is given for our day, the Promise of God for this hour, another Outpouring of Power by His Holy Spirit.
That’s why many of us left our homes. We came here many years ago to see another Outpouring of Power, another Outpouring of the Holy Spirit, another revival that would heal the sick and raise the dead and open the blinded eyes. That’s why we came here and that’s why we remain here, that’s why we continue looking for that Promise of God—not turning aside to the right or to the left or to the damnable heresies that have been introduced into the message of William Branham. We’re staying here firmly believing the Promise of God! That is our Promise today. Here we find fellowship with God and the Saints of like precious faith around that Promise.
Brother Branham often spoke of Israel being on their way to the Promised Land and spoke of various phases of that journey as being a perfect type of where we are today—not having entered into the Promised Land but “on our way” to the Promised Land. “On the road,” he said. And he said, “What is our Promised Land, today? The Promise is the Holy Spirit.” That’s what he said.
PROMISED
Quote W.M.B.: 38 Now, what is the land promised to the New Testament believer? The promise is the Holy Spirit. Adoption #1 60-0515E.
We continue to sojourn together waiting for that time that there will come a mighty rushing Wind and Tongues like as of fire that will sit upon each one. That is why we are not interested in filling up this building with church members. If you just want to socialize, attend parties, go on ship cruises and have soup suppers, there are plenty of social organizations that would be happy to welcome you into their fellowship.
No! Our desire is to see another “
Our “fellowship,” then, must be around an understanding of the Promise of God that leads to that Revival, the Revival that’s promised to the Bride of Christ.
Brother Branham said, “Oh, the revival is over.” He said a lot of things about that and the preachers are fond of repeating that many times. “Brother Branham said the revival’s over. This great healing revival that has gone on for the last fifteen years is over.” And the preachers go out and say, “Yes, the revival’s over. Don’t look for anything else.” But Brother Branham also said, “The Bride hasn’t had her revival yet. But she’s promised one; it’s coming.”
REVIVAL COMING
Quote W.M.B.: 253-2 {182} The Bride hasn't had a revival yet. See?
There's been no revival there, no manifestation of God to stir the Bride yet. See? We're looking for it. It will take those seven unknown thunders back there to wake her up again. He will send it. He promised it. The Third Seal 63-0320.
Quote: E-53 They [The Children of Israel] were on their road to the promised land.
The church was to go on to the full promise. The church tonight should be in her splendor of glory. She should be waiting for the coming of the Lord. Instead of that, She's scattered everywhere, wondering which is right. "Is this right? Is that right? I'll join this, and go over here, and down that." Oh return. Get away from those things. Return and Jubilee 62-1122.
Oh yes, it’s coming and we’re waiting for it, we’re looking for it. When Divine Light is shined upon your pathway, you will see (and understand) that Promise of God.
BUILD CHURCH ON REVELATION OF THE
SON OF MAN
The revelation has to be to each one of us, as individuals. We can’t tag along on somebody else’s revelation. It has to be personally, to each one of us, as the revelation came personally to Peter, as recorded beginning in Matthew 16:15, when the Lord said, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” And the Lord told him, “Blessed art thou, Peter, for flesh and blood has not revealed it to you.” He went on and said, “Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against It.”
How was He going to build His Church? On Peter? No. Peter was unstable. Just a little while later he was up there denying that he ever met the Lord. How could a Church be built upon an unstable man? No. There was a revelation. A revelation of—what? A revelation of the Son of Man. That’s what Peter had to have, a revelation.
Today, we must have a revelation—an understanding of what God is doing today. He promised us an Outpouring of Power by His Spirit. [Acts 2:38-39; Joel 2:23-29; II Thessalonians 1:10; Isaiah 59:20-21; John 14:15-21; John 14:26; I John 1:25-27]
Some people say, “Well, you know, revelation is not really all that important. You don’t really need to look for revelation that much. It’s not really important.” But Brother Branham said:
REVELATION – TREMENDOUSLY IMPORTANT
Quote W.M.B.: The importance of revelation by the Spirit to a true believer can never be over emphasized. Revelation means more to you than perhaps you realize. Now I am not talking about this Book of Revelation and you. I am talking about ALL revelation. It is tremendously important to the church…
And then he went on and spoke of Peter’s revelation, saying:
…The Church is built on Revelation, on the "Thus Saith the Lord. Revelation of Jesus Christ - Church Age Book, Chapter 1 Par. 13-4.
Absolutely! So if revelation is “tremendously important” and it can’t be over-emphasized, then we, even now, forty years later, still can’t over-emphasize the need for that revelation to each one of us. If you don’t have revelation, you need to seek for revelation. Wait on the Lord. Ask Him for Light. And if the Father knows how to give good Gifts, then He promised to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask for It. Who is asking for It but us. Oh, Praise God! Brother Branham further said:
ADD, TAKE AWAY – REVIVAL DIES DOWN
Quote W.M.B.: In every age we have exactly the same pattern. That
is why the light comes through some God-given messenger in a certain area, and
then from that messenger there spreads the light through the ministry of others
who have been faithfully taught. But of course all those who go out don't
always learn how necessary it is to speak ONLY what the messenger has
spoken. (Remember, Paul warned the people to say only what he said, I
Corinthians 14:37, "If any man think himself to be a prophet or spiritual,
let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the COMMANDMENTS
OF THE LORD. What? came the Word of God out from you? or came it unto you
only?") They add here, or take away there, and soon the message is no longer pure, and the revival dies down.
“They add here, or take away
there.” What
is that? Heresy. Damnable heresies. We’ve been standing
against damnable heresies for these many years that we have been here. In
recent years, we have seen the heresies exposed in the books called “Exposition
of Damnable Heresies.” As we speak, twelve of these books have been
published and distributed; the thirteenth is being completed and a fourteenth
is in preparation. And these books have gone around the world. We
at
HEAR VOICE OF GOD
Quote: How careful we must be to hear ONE voice, for the Spirit
has but one Voice, which is the Voice of God. Paul warned them to say
what he said, even as Peter did likewise. He warned them that EVEN HE
(PAUL) could not change one word of what he had given by revelation. Oh,
how important it is to hear the Voice of God by way of His messengers, and then
say what has been given them to say to the churches.
We understand the Promise of God (like Peter) by a revelation personally from the Lord. Sometimes we call this revelation, “Light.” Light reveals what has been hidden in darkness. It makes known things that otherwise could not be seen or understood. “Light.”
John 15:15 <Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.>
Jesus was that “Light.” It was His purpose to reveal the Truth to His followers, to His disciples. We count ourselves as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, even today. And He has called us, “friends.” Thank the Lord!
For us, the common bond of fellowship is an understanding—revelation—light—upon the Promises of God that are given for the day in which we live.
SPIRIT OUTPOURING
Joel 2:28 <And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh.>
I’d like to go back to that word, “afterward.” “And it shall come to pass afterward…” That word, “afterward,” means “in the last days.” Was it the “last days” two thousand years ago? Well, they thought it was; Brother Peter thought it was. We find out, though, after two thousand more years, that it was not the last days but we are in the last days, now.
Joel 2:28 <…Afterward, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy and your old men shall dream dreams and your young men shall see visions.>
What did Peter say about it? He said, “This is that.” When the people had come together and wanted to know what was going on. He said, “This is that that was spoken by the prophet Joel.” And he went on to say that, “This Promise is unto you and to your children and to them that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” [Acts 2:16,39] That includes me and it includes you. Praise God! Amen.
We are here, looking and waiting for
an Outpouring of Power by the Spirit of God. “When will it come, Brother
Renner?” I don’t know. In the Upper Room, they didn’t know
either. What did the Lord tell them? He said, “Tarry in
I’d like to read just a couple more things here. Brother Branham said:
TARRY UNTIL YOU ARE ENDUED WITH POWER
Quote W.M.B.: E-53 May we walk in this fellowship together around
the oracles of God, serving Him in baptism in obedience to His death, burial,
and resurrection. May we serve Him in His command, ‘Tarry ye at
SERVE GOD UNTIL “LAND” COMES IN SIGHT
Quote: E-53 …May we serve Him in Divine healing, praying for the sick. May we serve Him in communion, breaking of bread with singleness of heart, fellowship around the Word of God. May we serve Him in all of His divine oracles, until the land comes in sight….
(What land? The Promised Land.)
…Grant it, Lord. Hear our prayer as we commit it all to Thee now, in the Name of the Lord Jesus. By Faith Moses 58-0720M.
Did Brother Branham believe in another Outpouring? Absolutely!
NEW BIRTH TAKES YOU TO DIVINE FELLOWSHIP
Quote W.M.B.: E-50 Fellowship, that’s what we need, God’s way of fellowship. There’s only one way. God provided the way of fellowship. We cannot educate ourself into it. We cannot dress ourself into it. You cannot denominate yourself into it. You’ve got to be borned into it through the Blood of Jesus Christ, takes you into the Divine fellowship. Then, “If we walk in the Light, as He is in the Light, we have fellowship one with the other, and the Blood of Jesus Christ God’s Son cleanses us from all sin.” Amen.
How can we hold prejudice, a racial prejudice? How can we hold a denominational prejudice and still saying we’re walking in the light? How can we hold prejudice against the Word of God and say, ‘The days of miracles is past?’
(Many have said, “It’s all over.” “It was all in Brother Branham.” “Don’t expect any great thing, now.)
…How can we hold prejudice against the Word of God and say, ‘The days of miracles is past?’ God’s own Word. Because we’re just have to meet the thing in the face and say, ‘Well, I just can’t make it come to pass; I just don’t believe it.’ Why don’t you witness you’re a unbeliever?
(That’s what the prophet said!)
Jesus said, “These signs shall follow them that believe.” And that settles it. It’s for believers. Basis of Fellowship 61-0214.
LONG TIME SINCE PENTECOSTAL LIGHT
Quote: We've had a day for the last two thousand years, where we've had meetings and accept Jesus as God's Son, and as our Saviour. And we've seen God do great things among us. But yet, it's been a long time since the Pentecostal light.
(In other words, what they had in 1906 was not really that Pentecostal light that they had two thousand years ago.)
…Two thousand years we made organizations, built big schools, and had systems. And find out here in the seventh church age, we find out we've missed something. There's something wrong.
We find out we got into a desert. And all the fruits is dried up. That's what's the Pentecostal church has did today. Has organized itself so tight, till it's against one another. Until we found out that all the fruits is dried up. We don't have no more love, peace, joy, long-suffering, fellowship, that we ought to have, like they had at the beginning. The fruits have all dried up in the deserts. Getting In The Spirit, 61-0428, Par. E-26.
I would like to refer you to just one more statement.
GO BACK TO PENTECOST
Quote: If we expect God to keep His Word, if we expect God to do the things for us that we're asking, we'll never be able to do it till we get back and obey what God said do. We've got to go back where we left off at. We got to go back to Pentecost. We got to go back to the Comforter. We got to go back to the Holy Spirit, which is our Comfort. And when the Holy Spirit come, It will not deny any Word It's ever said. It'll stay right with that Word, for It is the Word. Amen.
What is it? God's Word anchored in your flesh, that gives you Eternal Life, that gives you the resurrection Power to bring you from the things of the world, from blind traditions of man, to walk in the Sunlight of the health of God. That's what the Comforter does. It lifts you out of that cellar condition. It brings you up in the Presence of God, and gives you an experience with God, that you can scream with Job of old, ‘I know my Redeemer liveth.’ Then if we see His Word, and we've refused to walk in the Light as He is in the Light, then our fellowship with God is cut off. The Comforter, 61-1001E, Par. 178 to 180.
Old blind Fanny Crosby said that He’s “more than life to me:”
Thou the Stream of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee?
Whom in heaven but Thee.
Do you want to have fellowship with God? Then find out what His Word Promise is for the day in which you live and believe It. If you believe It, you will embrace It, trust in and rely upon It. The fulfillment of that Word Promise of God will bring about your escape from the great tribulation that is soon to come upon the earth.
God’s Word of Promise today is to
return to the same Power that the early Church received on the day of
Pentecost.
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