Biblical Separation Commanded by God
Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Most of today’s professing Christians are outraged by the mere mention of the term “Biblical Separation”. These people are generally the more ecumenical. They generally believe that we are not to cause any kind of division between believers and we are to just get along with each other as the end justifies the means, just love each other. Those who would practice “Biblical Separation” as the Bible commands are generally persecuted by being labeled as overly legalistic, marked as a threat to the unity of Christians, and those who would not even extend fellowship to another believer is heretical.
The so-called believers that condemn the practice of “Biblical Separation” are doing so out of a worldly and non-Biblical view.
The
following definition was found at: http://www.logosresourcepages.org/separation.htm:
According to
the American Dictionary of the English Language published by Noah Webster in 1828
the general definition of separate is, "To disunite; to divide; to sever; to
part; to disconnect; to withdraw from each other; being parted from each other." He
goes on to define a separatist as "one that withdraws from a church, or rather
from and established church, to which he has belonged; a dissenter…" (Noah
Webster; American Dictionary of the English Language 1828 Edition reprint; p. 68).
While these
definitions are certainly true as far as they go, they do not adequately define the
Biblical Separatist or Biblical Separation.
1.
A Biblical Separatist will not cooperate and
withdraws from organizations, groups and individual unbelievers and their ungodly
philosophies and practices.
2.
A Biblical Separatist will not cooperate and
withdraws from churches, para-church organizations and individuals that are apostate and
that propagate apostate teachings and practices.
3.
A Biblical Separatist will not cooperate and
withdraws from churches, para-church organizations and individual believers that Aid and
sanction apostates by their alignment & cooperation with them.
4.
A Biblical Separatist will not cooperate and
withdraws from churches, para-church organizations and individuals that profess to be
Christian but disobey & compromise clear Bible Teachings and will not repent.
Graft together
Noah Webster's definition of a separatist to the above marks of a biblical
separatist and you will have a good definition of a Biblical Separatist.
A
Biblical Separatist is a Christian who withdraws or will not cooperate with an established
church (organization or individual) that 1) includes unbelievers and advocates godless
philosophies and practices, and/or 2) is apostate and propagates apostate teachings and
practices, or 3) those believers that aid and sanction apostates by their alignment and
cooperation with them, and/or 4) individual believers that profess to be Christians but
disobey and compromise clear Bible teachings and will not repent.
This
definition raises the ire of many of today's Christians who have adopted the contemporary
(not biblical) view of grace. They protest that even to suggest that you should not
fellowship with another born-again believer is anathema. They shout second degree
separation as if it were not biblical (but it is) and assert we are living under
Grace! Yet, they discount what the New Testament says about grace and what grace teaches.
For a brief look, turn to Titus
2:11-12 For the grace of God that bringeth
salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly
lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Let us
look at how God commands us to separate:
Ephesians 5: 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
As we are in this world and we are not to be of this world, neither are we to be partakers of the sins of this world, but we are to be a separate and a holy people unto God.
1 Peter 1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
Merriam Webster’ definition of holy:
1 a : set apart and dedicated to the service or worship of God
Set apart, also means separate.
So, to be holy is to be set apart or separate from the others of “this world” and to be dedicated in service and worship to the only God.
Isaiah 45:5 ¶I am the LORD, and there is none else,
there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
Titus 1:10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
Matthew 7:15 ¶Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
1 John 4:1 ¶Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
2 John 1:7 ¶For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 ¶If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
2 Timothy 3:1 ¶This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (Church?)
Galatians 1:6 ¶I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
The word bear in the above scripture means to come up against, not to put up with!
2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
1 Corinthians 6:15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1 Thessalonians 4:2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
This is both fornication of the flesh and primarily spiritual fornication.
Titus 3:9 ¶But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 ¶Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. 10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. 14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Romans 16:17 ¶Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
1 Timothy 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
This is one of the primary reasons to separate: “them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine” from such withdraw thyself.
Ephesians 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
1 Corinthians 5:9 ¶I wrote unto you in an epistle not
to company with fornicators:
10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
Haggai 2:11 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying, 12 If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No. 13 Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean.
14 Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this
people, and so is this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so is every work of their
hands; and that which they offer there is unclean.
2 John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
If a person claims to know the Lord, to be a believer, a follower and seeker of Jesus Christ, then this person when confronted with the truth will turn from their sins in repentance, to follow after the truth and they will find themselves in obedience to the word of God. The opposite is also true.
The Bible tell us how to know if we know the Lord:
1 John 2:3 ¶And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
1 John 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
We know we know Him if we keep His commandments and one of His commandments is clearly to: “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” We are to be separate unto God.
God commands us to be holy or set apart in our conversation, communion, fellowship, prayer, and our behavior. This is the physical act in obedience that separates us from ungodliness, heresy, error, and worldliness. This makes us different from all the others that walk on the face of this planet or from “the world.”
Most of the so-called Christians are so caught up in the things of “this world” that they don’t have time for the things of God. If the Christians are doing all the things of the world and participating in all of the pagan holidays, such as “Samhain” or “The Mass of Christ,” where do they really differ from the world?
Being holy, set apart, is one of the most difficult things a believer can do, it is the narrow way in obedience to our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ which leadeth unto life and few there be that find it. If it were easy, then many there would be that would find it and go in thereat.
Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
We have all been deceived. I have been deceived in many areas and it is only by the grace of god that I have come out from as much deception as I have.
In conclusion, we are to admonish and rebuke them that walk contrary to the clear teaching of the word of God then if they continue in their own way and remain an heretic after the second admonition, we are to turn away from them, that they may be ashamed, repent and return to abide in the doctrine of Christ.
We are to separate from any individual, church, or organization that includes unbelievers, allows ungodly behavior, teaches contrary to the Scripture, refuses to support justice and judgment as commanded by Scriptures, and who sanctions or aligns themselves with groups or individuals that God condemns.
It is in fact, doctrine, which is to be our dividing factor and we are to be Biblically holy and set apart as God has commanded.
In contrast, a great many or most all of the so-called preachers of today say: “doctrine divides,” as though it is to be avoided and an evil thing. Yes, doctrine divides! That is what doctrine is for! The pastors of today are moving in the ecumenical realm or circles and would not have the so-called church divided in any way, but unite all churches. They say we just need to all get along and love each other and our differences are just a matter of semantics. They say it is the same god that we all worship, no matter what name we may call him, what a lie they teach as the world draws closer to a one-world religion.
All of these pastors seem to be compromised in varying degrees of ecumenicalism.
If we love God then we will obey Him and if we obey Him we know that we know Him. Why were the many so-called Christians rejected before the Lord and sentenced to the second death? The Lord never knew them:
Matthew 7:21 ¶Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: The rock is the very “Word of God.”
Psalms 1:1 ¶Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4 ¶The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Mark 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.