Page 583 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

SEPARATION

1. Doctrine regarding Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and not to speak of the homes, lives, hearts, and minds of
Salvation is to be a basis for separation (2 Co. 11:3-4). professing Christians. Yes, many deny “the doctrine of
Note that not only was Paul concerned that the churches godliness.” The Holy Spirit commanded “from such
be right in regard to the Gospel and to Jesus Christ, but withdraw thyself.” The doctrine of godliness is an
he fought to see that they were right about the Holy essential, a fundamental doctrine according to the
Spirit. If this attitude were maintained today, we would teaching of the Word of God.
see more concern about the charismatic errors. These references show that the true apostolic basis
2. Doctrine regarding prophecy and future things, such for separation is much broader than a few major
as the resurrection and death, is to be a basis for doctrines. If you are a Christian worker, you doubtless
separation (2 Ti. 2:16-18). The Holy Spirit identified know that it has become popular to select certain
Hymenaeus and Philetus as false teachers because they doctrines such as the Trinity, the Deity of Christ, the
taught that the resurrection had passed already. This is a inspiration of Scripture, and salvation by grace, and to
matter of prophecy, of future events. Here it is clear that make these the primary basis for fellowship and
the doctrines of prophecy are fundamental doctrines. separation. In other words, if a professing Christian
How different this is to the thinking that places claims to hold these doctrines, he is to be accepted as a
eschatology in the realm of “tertiary” doctrine. true brother in good standing no matter what unbiblical
3. Doctrine regarding the church is to be a basis for thinking or practices he holds apart from these major
separation (1 Ti. 3:15; 6:13-14; 6:20-21). Much of the doctrines.
N.T. Scripture pertains to church doctrine and practice. This is the philosophy which holds together such a
The Apostles gave a great deal of their attention to hodgepodge of doctrinal confusion that we find at
training the Christians and early church leaders in the ecumenical meetings. An illustration of this philosophy
government, discipline, organization, and function of is found in a book on cults entitled Whom Then Can We
the assembly. This is the purpose for the first epistle to Believe? by supposedly evangelical authors Maurice
Timothy (1 Ti. 3:15). Paul concluded the epistle with Burrell and J. Stafford Wright. The authors say, “We are
the exhortation that these church things are to be kept not concerned about peripheral beliefs but with the
in detail until the coming of Christ (1 Ti. 6:13-14). This fundamental issues of the nature of God and His
is what the Holy Spirit thinks about church doctrine. movement to save fallen mankind. OUR POSITION IS
There are more than 100 references to the church in the THAT WHICH ALL THE CHURCHES, CATHOLIC,
N.T., and even in those epistles not written directly to ORTHODOX, AND PROTESTANT, INCLUDING THE
the assemblies, the church remains in view (Tit. 1:5; He. DENOMINATIONAL CHURCHES, HAVE ALWAYS
10:25; 13:7, 17; Ja. 2:2; 5:14; 1 Pe. 5:1-4; 2 Jn. 9). The REGARDED AS TRUTH.” To say that the only essential
glorified Christ is standing in the midst of the churches doctrines are those held in common by all Christian
(Re. 2-3), and seven times the phrase is used, “He that denominations, including the Roman Catholic and
hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Greek Orthodox, is utterly contrary to the type of
churches.” I do not understand how men can look at separation taught in the Bible.
such a staggering amount of teaching—more than is Let us follow the apostles’ exhortations, using their
given on many other Bible doctrine, and put church basis of separation, rather than that of Protestantism,
doctrine in a “non-essential” category. evangelicalism, popular Christianity, or some man’s
4. Doctrine regarding holy living is to be a basis for systematic theology. The Psalmist said, “Then shall I not
separation (1 Ti. 6:3-5). This passage teaches that be ashamed, when I have respect unto ALL thy
Christians are to withdraw themselves from those who commandments” (Ps. 119:6).
deny the doctrine according to godliness. What an We are to separate from apostate last-days
accurate description of our day! There are multitudes of Christianity. “Having a form of godliness, but denying
Christian leaders in practically every sphere of the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Ti. 3:5). See
Christianity who literally scoff at those who still preach also He. 13:9-13; Re. 18:4. The Apostles warned that
against worldliness and who try to maintain strict conditions within professing Christendom would grow
standards of Christian morality. Divorce and adultery increasingly apostate as the time of Christ’s return
are rampant in many denominations. Homosexuality is draws nearer. This, of course, is exactly what we observe
widely accepted as an alternate lifestyle. Some in church history. This is what we see today. Most
denominations have ordained homosexual preachers. In Christian groups do not follow the Word of God. God’s
fact, one entire denomination, the Metropolitan command is to separate. Come out! Mark and avoid all
Community Churches, is composed of homosexuals. The of the ecumenical, doctrinally-corrupt world councils
world’s vile theater, cinema, and music are reviewed in and national councils. Shun the denominations and
Christian publications and brought into the churches, organizations that glory in their so-called “unity in

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 583