What is Biblical Separation?

From the Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible:

SEPARATION

Bible separation is the practice of separating from sin and error unto truth and righteousness.

Three Types of Separation

In the N.T. we find three basic areas of separation. The Christian is to practice Moral Separation-separation from sin and worldliness; Doctrinal Separation-separation from those whose teaching and practice is contrary to that of the apostles; and Practical Separation-separation from brethren who are committed to disobedient paths.

MORAL SEPARATION

There are many, many passages of Scripture which teach that the Christian is to separate from sin. We are commanded to put sin out of our lives and to avoid fellowshiping with the evil things of the world. Of the many passages we could consider, let us use but one-Ephesians chapter five. Here God begins by telling His children to "walk in love." And how is this done? The rest of the chapter tells us, and we see that much of the chapter is devoted to instruction about separation from evil things. This is part of godly love!

DOCTRINAL SEPARATION

he second kind of separation God requires of the Christian is doctrinal separation. Sound apostolic doctrine is to be preserved by the churches while false doctrine is to be avoided. Doctrinal separation can be further divided into two aspects: First, we are to separate from those who teach false doctrine. And secondly, we are to separate from the entire apostate last-days Christianity.

Let us consider these forms of separation in more detail.

We are to separate from those who teach false doctrines. "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them" (Ro 16:17). See also 2Jo 1:13; Re 2:2.

In this passage we are plainly commanded to mark and avoid those who teach false doctrine. A question arises here. Which doctrines are to be used as the basis for this separation? The answer is that any apostolic doctrine clearly presented in the Bible is a basis for fellowship and separation. To my knowledge, the N.T. never divides doctrine into "essential" and "non-essential," or into "fundamental" and "peripheral." Men do this today, but the Apostles did not. It is true that some doctrines are more important than others, but nowhere in Scripture do we read that portions of God's Word, rightly divided and properly understood, are of no significance and can therefore be put aside as peripheral. I realize this is contrary to popular thinking, but consider upon the following verses very carefully and I believe you will see that this is correct: Php 3:17; 4:9; 2Th 2:15; 2Ti 1:13 . In these references Christians are not exhorted to follow only the major apostolic doctrines. All apostolic doctrine and example is to be obeyed (Ac 2:42).

PRACTICAL SEPARATION

The Bible commands Christians to separate even from those who give evidence of having been born again, yet who refuse to follow the teachings of the Apostles in matters of practice and Christian living. Yes, there is a time when we are to separate even from our own brethren (1Co 5:11; 2Th 3:6; 1Ti 6:5; Mt 18:15-18).

In all of these passages the writer is speaking of a separation from true brethren. This type of separation refers primarily to discipline within one particular local church, but the principle goes far beyond this. Not only are we bound to keep the letter of the Word of God, but also its spirit, its principles.

Take 2Th 3:6 for an example. Immediately after giving the command to separate from a disorderly brother, the Apostle Paul gives an illustration of such. He mentions some who were walking "disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies" (2Th 3:11-12). In v. 14, he repeats the command to separate from such. Is this command to be limited only to those who are disobedient in the matter of employment? It would not be reasonable to limit the passage in such a way. The Holy Spirit is giving a principle regarding fellowship and separation. We are to separate from any brother who walks disorderly and who refuses to repent of his disobedience. The matter of employment is one example. The command would apply to our relationship with a brother who is persistently disobedient to any apostolic teaching. Would God tell us to separate from a brother who is disobedient in the matter of employment but not require that we separate from a brother who is disobedient in the matter of baptism, or in following the N.T. pattern for church government, or any number of other commands which are at least as important as whether or not one is employed? We believe these commands to separate from unrepentant, disorderly brethren are principles which cover disobedience to all apostolic instruction.

 

John--

I didn't post the entire article because it was too long. Perhaps I will post some more of that article in the next few days. Separation of church and state was not part of that article. This article dealt mainly with "Biblical" separation--i.e. separation from sin and unto righteousness.

 

John--

Here's is a website that lists the five Baptist Distinctives--you may have seen this one already. It also has the History of the Baptists--it is a very brief history, however. It is written by Cooper P. Abrams, III.

http://www.baptistinfo.com/define.shtml

I agree--there sure is alot of sin in our government nowadays!! I do believe very strongly in the separation of Church and State. The government has NO business in the Church (i.e: the RCC and Church of England)

 

DOCTRINAL SEPARATION

Following are some examples of doctrines which are important enough to be a basis for separation:

1. Doctrine regarding Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and Salvation is to be a basis for separation (2Co 11:3-4). Note that not only was Paul concerned that the churches be right in regard to the Gospel and to Jesus Christ, but he fought to see that they were right about the Holy Spirit. If this attitude were maintained today, we would see more concern about the charismatic errors.

2. Doctrine regarding prophecy and future things, such as the resurrection and death is to be a basis for separation (2Ti 2:16-18). The Holy Spirit identified Hymenaeus and Philetus as false teachers. What was their error? Only one was mentioned, and that was their error of saying the resurrection had passed already. This is a matter of prophecy, of future events. Here, then, it is clear that the doctrines of prophetic matters are important to the Holy Spirit. They are essential, fundamental doctrine. How different this is to the many Christian leaders, even professedly fundamental men, who have placed eschatology in the realm of tertiary doctrine.

3. Doctrine regarding the church is to be a basis for separation (1Ti 3:15; 6:13-14,20-21). Much of the N.T. pertains to church doctrine and practice. We find the Apostles giving a great deal of their attention to training the Christians and early church leaders in the government, discipline, organization, and function of the assembly. This is the purpose for the first epistle to Timothy; Paul was writing to instruct Timothy in church business (1Ti 3:15) . He concluded the epistle with the exhortation that these church things are to be kept in detail until the coming of Christ. This is what the Holy Spirit thinks of church doctrine. There are more than 100 references to the church in the Bible, and even in the epistles not directly written to local assemblies, the church remains in view (Tit 1:5; Heb 10:25; 13:7,17; Jas 2:2; 5:14; 1Pe 5:1-4; 2Jo 1:9) . The glorified Christ is standing in the midst of the churches (Re. 2-3) , and seven times the phrase is used, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." I do not understand how men can look at such a staggering amount of teaching-more than is given on many other Bible doctrines-then put church doctrine in a non-essential category, a mere matter of personal preference.

4. Doctrine regarding holy living is to be a basis for separation (1Ti 6:3-5). The passage teaches plainly that Christians are to withdraw themselves from those who deny the doctrine according to godliness. What a tremendously accurate prophesy of our day! There are multitudes of Christian leaders in practically every sphere of Christendom who literally scoff at those who still preach against worldliness and maintain strict standards for Christian morality. Divorce and adultery are rampant in many denominations. Homosexuality is widely accepted as an alternate lifestyle. Some denominations have ordained homosexual preachers. In fact, one entire denomination, the Metropolitan Community Churches, is composed of homosexuals. The world's vile theater, cinema, and music are reviewed in Christian publications, and brought into the churches, not to speak of the homes, lives, hearts, and minds of professing Christians. Yes, many deny the doctrine of godliness. The Holy Spirit commanded "from such withdraw thyself." In light of these conditions, I don't find it odd that modern translations would handily delete this phrase!

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible

David Cloud is a defender of the KJV--as I am. After reading the facts concerning Wescott & Hort, I choose to separate from any church that does not use the KJV--the MVs are based on Wescott & Hort and important doctrines are watered down and weakened.

http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/separationand.htm