Blog 3799 – 04.17.2026

The Test of Fellowship and Friendship 

In my Christian days in the narrow fundamentalist group that I associated myself with with we spoke of certain things being “a test of fellowship.” I recall that many in that group thought that smoking and drinking alcohol were definitely in the category of things that signified one was not one of “us.” One of the favorite proof texts of that particular group was, and still is I suppose, “Come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord.”

Most Christian groups, and ours was no exception, trace their roots back to the early church. I was speaking with a life-long friend yesterday who was raised Southern Baptist, but married a Catholic and converted to his faith. One of the great proof texts of the Roman Catholic Church is the verse where Jesus answers Peter confession, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of God.” With “Thou art Peter (a rock) and upon this rock I will build my church.” Their interpretation being that Jesus was saying that upon Peter Jesus was going to build his church. Catholics believe Peter was the first Bishop of Rome and therefore the first Pope.

Had not Christianity been taken over and repackaged by the Roman emperors as a political movement I do not think it would have become the great force in the world that it has been for the last two thousand years. There are over five thousands different denominations in the Protestant church alone and there are many and varied groups that call themselves Catholics as well. The other great faith traditions too are made up of many separate groups that hold to this or that understanding of their particular faith.

How quickly even the faithful are to divine and form a new group with a more narrow vision of what the true faith is. In am reminded of some other words that to Jesus is said to have said to his followers, “And they will know that you are my disciples in that you have love for one another.” That seems to be the one proof text or test of fellowship and friendship that Jesus intended.

The test of friendship is accepting that we are not the arbiter of faith. People are free, especially friends to believe whatever they choose. Many of my Christian friends worry that I have hell or at least purgatory waiting for me in my next life. I, on the other hand, believe that I have another even more exciting and wonderful adventure awaiting after this one and I am not done with this one and fully intend to enjoy it as long as I can.

That is my hope for each of you as well.

Your friend and fellow traveler,

David James White