Branches, Fellowship, and the Faith Once Delivered
A branch that does not remain in the teachings of Christ is not merely unfruitful — it is cut off.
John 15:5–6 (ESV)
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches… apart from me you can do nothing.”
6 “If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers…”
Fellowship with Christ and the apostles is lost when the teaching is forsaken.
1 John 1:3 (ESV)
3 “…so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.”
Any claim of continuity with the original Church requires faithfulness to the original gospel — not merely institutional descent.
Galatians 1:8 (ESV)
8 “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.”
Branches can be cut out, and new branches grafted in.
Cut out of Jesus by God.
Grafted in to Jesus by God.
Romans 11:20–21, 23 (ESV)
20 “They were broken off because of their unbelief…”
21 “…neither will he spare you.”
23 “…God has the power to graft them in again.”
