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What is biblical Separation then?
- Thread starter JesusFan
- Start date
is that though stating to us to forsake all relationships, and not to get involved in the world at all? And is that principle not also applied towards fellow Christians also then?
I hold to four aspects of separation:
1. Personally, separate ties with unbelievers (marriage, business)
2. Politically, separation of government from church or individual spiritual control
3. Ecclesiastically, separation from ungodly, ecumenical cooperation
4. Ethically, separation from the unsaved world activities, entertainment, abuses (alcohol, drugs, tobacco), immorality (dress, lewd behavior)
1. Personally, separate ties with unbelievers (marriage, business)
2. Politically, separation of government from church or individual spiritual control
3. Ecclesiastically, separation from ungodly, ecumenical cooperation
4. Ethically, separation from the unsaved world activities, entertainment, abuses (alcohol, drugs, tobacco), immorality (dress, lewd behavior)
Serious queation
Didn’t Jesus eat and drink w sinnners and wine bibbers?
How do we reach them if we don’t interact w them?
Thanks
Didn’t Jesus eat and drink w sinnners and wine bibbers?
How do we reach them if we don’t interact w them?
Thanks
I do not think separation means not interacting with the World but being a body called out from the world. Kinda like being a foreigner in another kingdom.
37818
Well-Known Member
Then we would have to leave this world, wouldn't we? So.no.
(1 Corinthians 5:10)
That makes no sense.
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There is a difference between interacting and participating. Jesus never participated in anything sinful. But we need to be honest with ourselves that we are not using the excuse of evangelism to justify sin.
When I was in the Air Force I went to tech school at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS. There was a Christian Servicemen's Center right outside the gate on d'Iberville Road. I was a new Christian and was glad to find a place that provided much needed fellowship. One night I was walking back to the barracks with another airman and he told me that he was going to meet with some unsaved friends who were going to be smoking weed. He wanted to "relate to them" for the purpose of winning them for Christ, so he saw no problem in smoking weed with them. Now, even though I was a new Christian the little common sense I had rolling around in my brain told me that this guy's plan was pure garbage. I made sure I never was around him again.
The point? I don't think we need to go looking for special occasions to interact with unbelievers. All we need to do is step outside our front door. We'll encounter them in no time.
Deena
New Member
Imho, Just go about your day and you'll interact with the unsaved. Those that claim salvation, the majority, aren't even saved. Matt 25:35. Jesus received a cup of water from the woman at the well, the Samaratin woman. Sharing food/water is a nice way to break the ice.
What about the seperation that many seem to practice of not accepting other churches nor beliers if not part of our own community of faith?
I agree with you, as think we in the culture chose to not be invoved in the world , and let darkness come in and pretty much ruin it
Jesus modeled this to us by interacting and being fiends to the sinners and outcasts, while never stooping down to their sin levels
I hav seen some refuse to fellowship with other Christians or partner with them due to them not being part of their church, or holding some differing doctrines
Good point, as we can live among the lost and not partake of their activities, but also remember that we also were just as they are , lost in their sins, before saved
Just doing things such as praying before meals around the unsaved is speaking to them
I have had 2 business partners, each in a different business.
As a driver instructor - my partner was not a Christian.
Yet, our relationship was excellent. I really cant think of any negative situations!
I bought a radio station from a Baptist preacher.
When I first asked him to show me the financial status - he gave me a run-a-round (I let it slide)
Come to find out he paid everyone under the table
His financial knowledge of the business was non- existent!
He told me I owed him the rent one month - I told him I had paid
He said I had not paid. I showed him the listing of the checks for each month I had paid.
Later, he said I was behind in the mortgage - I was not. He took action
I could have taken him to court - but at the time I was unable.
Moral of the story - at least in my case that unsaved driving instructor was a much better
partner, that that Baptist preacher.
(Oh, that Baptist preacher - divorced his wife - to marry a 16 year old.
15 years later he divorced that 31 year old to marry a third wife.)
37818
Well-Known Member
That is why we need to discuss differences. Where we can. Many can't.
Well, many people know WHAT they believe - they just don't know WHY they believe it!
37818
Well-Known Member
Not knowing the why.of believing a thing would be a reason many can't discuss an issue.
I think many here would agree that the bible teaches separation from unbelievers and unrepentant Christians. I think the controversy is "second degree" separation. Is it biblical?
Primary - separate from weak believers (we decided) are walking in error in doctrine or in lifestyle choices (we decided) are not good
Secondary - separate from middle of the road believers who DON'T separate from weak brothers
Tertiary - separate from strong believers who DON'T separate from weak AND middle of the road secondary believers
In ALL cases we are talking about truly born-again believers
You mean we we excuse ourselves from fellowshipping or participate with others churches and Christians if say were not Baptist?
and yet we must make sure that they are living in known sinning without any remorse or repenting, and also that their doctrines are really heresy, not just different than we believe believe, such as Eschatology disputes
many fail to see the dividing line would be cardinal and essentials of the faith, not "minor doctrines, not if they hold to different preferences and convictions
37818
Well-Known Member
I believe the essentials do not change.
Big problem is that sometimes we make non essentials to be required essential doctrines of the Faith
All doctrines are important, but not all doctrines are essential doctrines. An essential doctrine is one that is connected to salvation. Eschatology is not an essential so it's not something I would separate. The exception would be the return of Christ because it is connected to our glorification. Full preterism would be a heresy because it denies the fundamental doctrine of Christ's return.