The unity here is twofold. First the whole body is joined to the Head. And secondly,

every member is joined to some other member. Without the first union, there can be no

life. Without the second, there can be no growth. Dislocation means disease, and

without unity service is impeded, if not rendered impossible.

Barnabas gives us an example of what is right and what is wrong in the matter of

fellowship in service. When the converted Saul of Tarsus assayed to join himself to the

disciples at Jerusalem, they were afraid of him and believed not that he was a disciple. It

was the good office of Barnabas, to lead the new disciple Saul by the hand, and to enable

him to join the disciples as a brother and fellow-saint (Acts 9: 26, 27). On the other

hand, it was Barnabas' determination to take John Mark with him on the visit to the

churches of Asia Minor  that caused the cleavage  between himself and Paul

(Acts 15: 36-41). We must be sure of those with whom we join; otherwise our very

tenacity may prove our undoing.

There is also need to remember that fellowship in service does not cover the same

ground as does fellowship in salvation. Many are under a wrong impression here. We

ourselves have been criticized because of an apparent inconsistency in attitude. We do

not make agreement in doctrine a basis for our fellowship, so far as the recognition of life

in Christ and the hope of glory is concerned. But fellowship in service, and standing

together on the same platform, with a believer who holds some doctrine that is

unscriptural would not be an act of faith, but of compromise, and this we must avoid. We

have said before that our "pew" is as wide as redemption itself; but our "platform" must

be as narrow as the truth rightly divided.

The many references in which the apostle speaks of some beloved servant of Christ as

a fellow-worker are helpful. One is graced with the title, "true yokefellow" (Phil. 4: 3);

others in the same verse are called "fellow-labourers". Aristarchus had the honoured

title "fellow-prisoner" (Col. 4: 10), while Epaphroditus bears the double title, "my

fellow-worker and fellow-soldier" (Phil. 2: 25). The reader will be able to add to the

examples here given, particularly if he can use the Greek concordance, for quite a number

of examples appear that do not lend themselves as easily as those cited above to English

Let us remember, then, that one essential in all service is unity; and one important

symbol of service is that of Eph. 4: and Col. 2:: "Joints and bands."