do not recieve nor greet.......

[Berean]

I had a relationship with a "fellow believer" for a long time as a member of the same church. We were close socially, playing golf together and lunch usually once a week and sang in the choir together. However he got involved with a cult primarily do to his spouses persuation. I confronted him about this and questioned his involvement and asked him if he believed that Jesus Christ was God. His answer was "NO I believe that God is God" Later I learned that they use only the Old Testament and had torn the New Testament from their Bible. He had been a member of the SBC church for 50+ years and had served the local church in numerous capacities.
I severed my relationship with him by explaining I Jn 2:22/23 which he was familiar with. This was perhaps in the top 5 hardest things I have had to do in my life.
Since then I have been second guessing my decision as most all of my fellow church members still are actively involved with him socially and he has now gone to a retirement center (nursing home).

 

[annsni]

Well, I don't know that cutting ALL ties with him is the right thing to do but I do understand the Scriptures you are following. I would have definitely cut my relationship with him quite a bit but I still would go to visit him to speak to him of the Truth. Who knows if by loving him and speaking truth to him that you will not win him back to the Lord? I don't know his heart - but I know he is sorely deceived.

Would you feel comfortable going to him, praying for him and speaking the truth to him?

 

[HAMel]

"Well, I don't know that cutting ALL ties with him is the right thing to do but I do understand the Scriptures you are following."

To me the Word is very specific here. Would we not be second-guessing the Lord if we were to maintain a relationship with this man?

 

[annsni]

"Well, I don't know that cutting ALL ties with him is the right thing to do but I do understand the Scriptures you are following."

To me the Word is very specific here. Would we not be second-guessing the Lord if we were to maintain a relationship with this man?

Well, we're not to have him in our home. We're to pray for him. Does Scripture say that we're never to have any contact at all with him again?

 

[Johnv]

I'm curious why youre' reposting this topic. This was already discussed before:
http://www.baptistboard.com/showthread.php?t=61680

My answer remains the same. I concur with annsi. There's a difference between cutting off from fellowship, and cutting off casual acquaintence. It's right to sever ties concerning spiritual fellowship and worship with this man. However, it is not necessary to discontinue doing things that casual acquaintences do, such as playing golf, getting together for dinner, etc. How else can one be a witness if you dont' acquaint yourself with nonbelievers?

I'd guess that about 1/3 of my acquaintences are nonchristians. Unless my relationship is negatively impacting my Christian walk, there's no need to distance myself from them. In two cases over the years, nonchristian friend of mine became christians, in part, because of my presence in their life.

My $.02 is, if you enjoy the man's friendship, then spend time with him. If your friend is a person of good moral character, then I suspect your Christian walk with him won't be negatively impacted. You get the privilege of being Christ's light to him. On the flip side, you're certainly not required to be in a friendship with him either. This isn't a one or the other situation. This is a situation of both have consequences, so ultimately, the decision is yours, and neither one is necessarily wrong.

 

[pinoybaptist]

I had a relationship with a "fellow believer" for a long time as a member of the same church. We were close socially, playing golf together and lunch usually once a week and sang in the choir together. However he got involved with a cult primarily do to his spouses persuation. I confronted him about this and questioned his involvement and asked him if he believed that Jesus Christ was God. His answer was "NO I believe that God is God" Later I learned that they use only the Old Testament and had torn the New Testament from their Bible. He had been a member of the SBC church for 50+ years and had served the local church in numerous capacities.
I severed my relationship with him by explaining I Jn 2:22/23 which he was familiar with. This was perhaps in the top 5 hardest things I have had to do in my life.
Since then I have been second guessing my decision as most all of my fellow church members still are actively involved with him socially and he has now gone to a retirement center (nursing home).

Adam and Eve in modern situations.

 

[annsni]

My biggest thought is that if all Christians completely turn their backs on someone like this, how they learn the truth? God uses man to spread the Gospel and if this man is lost, then we need to show him the truth. If he is not lost but just wandering for a while, how will he know the lies from the truth?

I'm not saying you need to be best friends or that you even need to spend lots of time together but a cup of coffee to speak to him is not against Scripture. To go visit him in the nursing home and maybe bring him a good book to read on the subject along with some fresh fruit would be a great kindness for him.

 

[HAMel]

No, there is certainly no reason "not" to pray for the man.
I find by Adam Clark Commentary the following;

Verse 22. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ?] Here we see some of the false doctrines which were then propagated in the world. There were certain persons who, while they acknowledged Jesus to be a Divine teacher, denied him to be the Christ, i.e. the MESSIAH.

He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son,] He is antichrist who denies the supernatural and miraculous birth of Jesus Christ, who denies Jesus to be the Son of God, and who denies God to be the Father of the Lord Jesus; thus he denies the Father and the Son. The Jews in general, and the Gnostics in particular, denied the miraculous conception of Jesus; with both he was accounted no more than a common man, the son of Joseph and Mary. But the Gnostics held that a Divine person, AEon, or angelical being, dwelt in him; but all things else relative to his miraculous generation and Divinity they rejected. These were antichrists, who denied Jesus to be the Christ.

In my mind if one denies Jesus to be the Savior he is an Antichrist.

 

[Revmitchell]

Such heretics are to be chased after with all love and compassion for the purpose of restoration. But they are to know that their behavior and or beliefs are not to be tolerated. Restoration can only be had at the point of repentance.

 

[annsni]

Such heretics are to be chased after with all love and compassion for the purpose of restoration. But they are to know that their behavior and or beliefs are not to be tolerated. Restoration can only be had at the point of repentance.

Amen. That's what I'm talking about.

 

[Marcia]

I don't see where 1 John 2:22-23 has anything to do with cutting of a relationship with someone. Did I miss something?

Sure, he should not be a member of a church but apparently he isn't since he left the church. The Bible doesn't tell us not to associate with unbelievers, but to not associate with those claiming to be Christians who are continuing in an immoral lifestyle and not repenting.

I do think this man needs to be confronted with this rejection of Jesus, and it seems you have done this. So now you can visit him and pray that the Lord will give you the opportunity to bring this guy to faith. I doubt that he was a believer before, imo.

 

[Revmitchell]

1Co 5:11 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.
1Co 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
1Co 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

 

[Johnv]

Such heretics are to be chased after with all love and compassion for the purpose of restoration. But they are to know that their behavior and or beliefs are not to be tolerated. Restoration can only be had at the point of repentance.

Yes, absolutely!

 

[Marcia]

1Co 5:11 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.
1Co 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
1Co 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Right, this is about someone calling himself a christian who is sinning (as I pointed out in my post above). From the info in the OP, it does not seem the person in question is claiming to be a Christian. Therefore, why is the question raised as to whether or not to associate with him?

 

[Victorious]

One of the things you can do is pray for him. I don't blame you for cutting ties, but you could try one more time to reach him, armed with truth. If he won't listen to NT Scripture, try Isaiah 53, Micah 5:2, Isaiah 9:6 and similar messianic passages that declare his deity.

"My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." (James 5:19-20 NASB)

Obviously, you've been friends for many years and this hurts you, but you know the scripture and have put the Word of God before the Word of men. Rest assured that you've done the right thing, and my husband wanted to add this - It is possible that the Lord wants you to put His friendship above the friendship of men. Be comforted. Remember, that He sticks closer than a brother.

My advice would be to arm yourself and try again to win your brother, stressing your love for him, BUT... then go your way in the Lord and continue to pray for him.

God bless you.

 

[Victorious]

Right, this is about someone calling himself a christian who is sinning (as I pointed out in my post above). From the info in the OP, it does not seem the person in question is claiming to be a Christian. Therefore, why is the question raised as to whether or not to associate with him?

But it does say "idolater."

 

[thegospelgeek]

I see no biblical reason to cut of all relationships with someone who is lost. In fact I thought the bible instructed us to win them to Christ. Please post scripture for the agrument to cut off all ties.

 

[David Michael Harris]

I have had probs with JW's from the word go, twice they moved in next to me, I tried to discuss things at first then realized I was getting nowhere. Now I just cut them off. I moved to France and about 1 year after I got a knock on my door and there were 2 old ladies. I knew immediately they where JW's, I said, yes, and they started. I just closed the door on them. Harsh eh!

Talk about wolves in disguise.

They don't know Christ, it's impossible. Thing is you cannot reason with them.

Best thing is to hand a tract or something and say goodbye. Don't invite them in or offer a cup of tea because what John says is true.

 

[Marcia]

But it does say "idolater."

But the context is speaking of professing Christians.

...if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater,

 

[Revmitchell]

Right, this is about someone calling himself a christian who is sinning (as I pointed out in my post above). From the info in the OP, it does not seem the person in question is claiming to be a Christian. Therefore, why is the question raised as to whether or not to associate with him?

How is:

From the op:

I had a relationship with a "fellow believer" for a long time as a member of the same church.

Not a Christian