What is bible Separation
By
Bro. David Cloud
Bro. David's Cloud's Testimony
The Bible Gateway - Gospelcom.net
Bible Verse Links - A word of warning: The Bible Gateway - Gospelcom.net
site gives the user access to some very helpful tools for Bible study. While
the default version is the KJV, several modern versions of the Bible, including
the NIV, NASB, NLT, among others, are also available. By having this link I
am not promoting, nor do I condone, the use of these versions. In my humble
opinion, you should use the KJV only.
This partial article is provided by the "Way Of Life Literature." I have found the Way of Life based
upon the King James Version and written from an uncompromising, Bible believing
position, to be an invaluable tool for study, apologetics and helping others in
these confusing times. Send e-mail: fbns@wayoflife.org
The Bible Gateway - Gospelcom.net
Bible Verse Links - A word of warning: The Bible Gateway - Gospelcom.net
site gives the user access to some very helpful tools for Bible study. While
the default version is the KJV, several modern versions of the Bible, including
the NIV, NASB, NLT, among others, are also available. By having this link I
am not promoting, nor do I condone, the use of these versions. In my humble
opinion, you should use the KJV only.
How do we practice
biblical separation?
l. Be discerning: 1 Thessalonians 5:21. Biblical separation
begins with spiritual and doctrinal discernment. I cannot separate from that
which is false if I do not know truth from error! See also Colossians 1:9, Colossians 3:16; Philippians 1:9;
Hebrews 5:12-14. This is where separation begins. Each child of God
is to study the Scriptures intently and prayerfully that he might know sound doctrine.
He is to exercise CAREFUL discernment that he might know truth from error, good
from evil, fidelity from compromise.
2. Maintain an earnest proclamation and defense of the
faith: Jude 1.
Jude exhorts his readers to contend for the faith, not
because he loved contention, but because it is necessary to preserve the faith
from corruption. He indicates that he would rather write concerning the common
salvation but it had become necessary to take up the sword. Here is a picture
of the well-balanced Christian: he loves to proclaim the gospel, but when
necessary he will take up the sword in defense of the gospel.
Jude did not say, as some say today who wish to avoid
the reproach of a liberal ecclesiasticism, that all one has to do is to preach
the gospel, or the Word of God is its own defense. The real Christian has to
contend for the faith in these times. Jude would have had scant sympathy for
that type of ministerial self-righteousness which often says, "I preach
the Gospel and let these issues alone." This convinces some people that he
is not a "wicked" separatist, but it also convinces a compromising
ecclesiasticism that they have nothing to fear from this ex-Gidionite,
who has a number of reasons for not serving in Gideon's army.
The prophets contended for the faith within the
structure of religious
The greatest weapon against theological corruption and
the moral rot of society would be a vigorous, decisive contention for the faith
by every evangelical. The indecisive contention for the faith so common with
evangelical inclusivists, a contention which does not
press for a real decision, is not an adequate substitution for separation.
Real, vigorous, decisive contention for the faith within the liberal
denominations has been reduced to a polite, pious murmur which they love to
call ‘witnessing.’ THE NEW TESTAMENT NOT ONLY CALLS FOR WITNESSING TO THE
FAITH, BUT CALLS FOR CONTENTION FOR THE FAITH" (
3. Mark those who err: Romans 16:17. Not only are we to know the
truth and to be discerning, not only are we to aggressively contend for the
truth, but we are to identify false teachers and apostate Christian groups by
name. In this way we protect ourselves and others. This was Paul's custom.
Consider the following examples:
1 Timothy 1:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:16-18; 2 Timothy 4:14-15. In these passages the
Apostle warned Timothy of several false teachers and disobedient men, and he
identified these men by name. This was also the custom of the Lord Jesus Christ
Luke 20:45-47; Luke 12:1; Revelation 2:6,15,20.
Following the example of the Lord Jesus Christ and of His Apostles, we must
identify and label those who are false, apostate, or disobedient. To fail to do
so is rebellion to the Bible's command. It is also the mark of an unfaithful,
careless shepherd. A good shepherd protects the sheep from danger.
4. Avoid fellowship: Once we have discerned false
doctrine or practice, what then? God's command at this point is very
clear--separation. The following expressions are used in the N.T. to describe
separation: "Avoid" Romans 16:17. "Shun"
2 Timothy 2:16. "Turn away from" 2 Timothy 3:5. "Purge oneself
from"
2 Timothy 2:21. "Come out from among" 2 Corinthians 6:17; Revelation 18:4. "Have no fellowship
or communion with" 2 Corinthians 6:14. "Receive them not
into your house neither bid them Godspeed" 2 John 10. One does not need a Ph.D. to understand
the meaning of these exhortations. God is telling His people to stay away from
those who teach or practice false things!
5. Avoid yoking together in ministry, organization,
etc.: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. This command does
not allow a Christian to be in the same denomination, Christian organization,
fellowship, or church with those who are committed to unbelief.
6. Avoid their doctrine: 2 Timothy 2:14-18. In this passage
Christians are warned to avoid the Words of the false teachers. Let us not be
deceived. False teachings have been very successful. Christendom is permeated
with false doctrine. Wherein comes this success? The
Bible reveals to us that there is a supernatural power behind false teaching.
That power is Satan 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 1 Timothy 4:1. It is for this reason that Christians
are warned not to become involved in any way with false doctrine. Rather we are
taught to "shun" it, for "they will increase unto more ungodliness.
And their word will eat as doth a canker."
This means the Christian is not to attend a church in
which false doctrine is being proclaimed. We are not to attend Bible studies,
or meetings, or prayer groups in which false doctrine is involved. When those
involved with false doctrine ask permission to sit with us to "explain
their beliefs more clearly," we must wisely refuse. The only exception is
an occasion in which we ourselves teach the one who is in bondage to the false
belief. And this is only when that one is willing to listen with an open heart
and not argue and resist the truth. See 2 Timothy 2:23-26. Apart from our own
ministry to try to help the deceived, we must avoid all false instruction.
7. Rebuke them openly, publicly, and plainly: Matthew 23:13-33; Acts 13:8-10. God's Word commands us to
rebuke false teachers openly, publicly, and plainly, and the faithful servant
of God will do just that. Christians who dislike biblical separation often
protest that we cannot help the erring person if we separate. This is not true.
One reason for separating is to help those who err see the seriousness of their
error, to make a clear distinction between true and false doctrine. Many excuse
their refusal to obey biblical separation by saying they are ministering to the
false and disobedient. This is wrong. The Bible warns that a little evil
leavens the whole body
1 Corinthians 5:6; Galatians 5:9. The ecumenist is confused.
He apparently thinks a little good leavens the whole body!
8. Try to convince them of the truth: 2 Timothy 2:24-26. We are to try to help
those who are involved in false doctrine, but we are to do this from a
separated position. It is our separation which shows them that we do indeed
believe false doctrine to be evil. It impresses them that we take the Word of
God seriously. And though we must refuse to have close fellowship with those
involved in false doctrine, and though we must not allow them to be members in
our churches and organizations, we are to try to teach them the truth if they
will listen.
Notice in 2 Timothy 2:26 that the false teacher's
root problem is revealed. They are in "the snare of the devil." False
doctrine is not a problem of ignorance; it is a spiritual problem. Only a great
miracle can rescue a person out of the grasp of false doctrine once he has
fallen prey to it.
9. Maintain a spiritual demeanor: James 3:13-18. Last, but not least, we see
that the ministry of discernment, judgment, contention for the truth, and
separation from error are to be carried out in a spiritual manner.
Wrong separations
One thing which has confused many people regarding the
practice of separation is the fact that many divisions among Christians have no
biblical basis. It is definitely not God's will that his people be divided over
human traditions, or personality conflicts, or other man-made or sin-made
barriers. Sad to say, though, this has often occurred. Speaking of those who
are truly born again and who love and obey the Scriptures, God's Word says:
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in
unity" Psalms 133:1. While we seek to obey God in
the matter of separation for the purpose of maintaining doctrinal and moral
purity, let us not be guilty of causing unnecessary divisions among God's
people. Some examples are--
1. Divisions based on personalities of men rather than
truth: 1 Corinthians 1:12. Many, many of the
divisions within Christianity have been caused by the human tendency to exalt
one man above another. The Word of God condemns such divisions.
2. Divisions in matters of Christian liberty: Romans 14:1-5. If the N.T. gives no clear
word on a particular matter, Christians have liberty to follow their own
preference. Two examples given in Romans 14 are in the areas of diet and holy
days. In such things God has given Christians freedom of individual preference.
It has often been the case, though, that Christians have separated on the basis
of personal preferences, refusing to allow liberty in such matters. There is no
liberty to ignore or slight clear apostolic teaching, but beyond this we have
no right to make our own personal preferences and ideas a basis of division. It
has been well stated that the church has judicial powers, but it has no
lawmaking powers. Let's be careful not to take away freedoms God has given.
3. Divisions because of human conflicts: Philippians 4:2. Countless divisions among
Christians are caused not by concern for doctrinal fidelity, but by
self-centered human squabbles and confusion. There have always been Euodiases and Syntyches among the
brethren, and it is not surprising, considering the fact that God's people
still have the old Adamic nature which is
self-centered and rebellious. There have always been leaders of churches,
organizations, and movements divided from others simply because they cannot get
along spiritually with some of God's people.
4. Divisions based on man-made names and
terminologies: Another type of division among Christians which lacks a proper
biblical basis is division based on names and terminologies which have been
devised by men. Often there is nothing wrong with the name or terminology
itself. It is devised in an attempt to identify a certain teaching or trait.
The problem lies in exalting that name to a place of dogma and infallibility
and then making it a basis for separation. Manmade terms are not sufficient
basis for separation. Bible terms can be defined in an absolute, dogmatic way,
for the very fact that they are contained in the pages of the unchanging Word
of God. Manmade terms, such as fundamental or evangelical, cannot be so
defined. They can often be used with profit, but they cannot be made a
permanent, absolute basis of fellowship.
Why practice
separation?
Contrary to popular opinion, the practice of biblical
separation brings great blessing. It is not a practice motivated simply by a
love for contention. It is not separation just for the sake of avoiding people
we don't like, or fighting just for the sake of fighting. Let us consider the
reasons given in the Bible for this practice:
1. Separation is obedience to God: Romans 16:17; Jude 3; 2 Timothy 4:2. God does not ask His people
to separate if they feel inclined toward such a practice. God simply COMMANDS
separation! To be discerning of truth and error and to avoid all error is
obedience.
2. Separation is spiritual: "Therefore I esteem
all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false
way" Psalms 119:128. In this verse we see the
attitude of the godly Psalmist toward the Word of God and toward every false
doctrine and practice. This is the attitude of all truly spiritual people.
3. Separation is fidelity to truth and God: "O
Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain
babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called" 1 Timothy 6:20. See also 1 Timothy
6:14-15
5. Separation
is love for Christ: John
14:23-24.
6. Separation
is pleasing to Jesus Christ: Revelation
2:2-6,14-16.
, such
practice is a mark of a good minister of Jesus Christ!