"Faithful to obey the word of God: come out from among them and be ye separate"

(Romans 6:16-17)

Elder: Brad K. Gsell
XXI Congress of ALADIC - 18th congress of ICCC (Part II), Serra Negra, SP, Brasil
January 27, 2012l

The subject which has been assigned to me is: “Faithful to Obey the Word of God,” as it applies to what
is called Biblical Separation. The two texts accompanying this topic are 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 and Romans
16:17. Because the International Council of Christian Churches has attempted to obey such passages, the
churches in the ICCC have sometimes been referred to collectively as being part of “the Separatist Movement.”
This testimony has often been despised and misunderstood, despite numerous sermons and much writing on the
subject. But, nonetheless, the Bible has commanded us: “Be ye separate.”

It frequently is impressed on me when reading the Word of God that it is a book filled with great contrasts
and separations. Furthermore, there is no attempt to amalgamate or even blur the lines between these contrasts.
They are found repeatedly throughout Scripture. The book of Psalms is filled with them. In Psalm 34:15-16,
David says: “The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the
Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.”

Isaiah 40:8 contrasts that which is temporary and that which is eternal: “The grass withereth, the flower
fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” Life is temporary, but God’s Word abides forever.

Matthew 7:13-14 has a triple contrast between the wide and the narrow, the many and the few, and destruction
and life: “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. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the
way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

John tells us: “He that believeth on him [Christ] is not condemned: but he that believeth
not is condemned already …” (John 3:18). Here is a double contrast between those who believe and
those who do not believe; and those who are not condemned and those who are condemned. The next verses
contrast “light” with “darkness.”

Jesus Himself often used stark contrasts in His teaching. In John 8, Jesus says: “I am the light of the world:
he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” In John 5:24, He says
that those who believe on Him are “passed from death unto life.”

Then there are the contrasts between the new and the old. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says: “Therefore if any man be
in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Ephesians 4:22-24: “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt
according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man,
which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

1 John 4:6 speaks of “the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.”

So we see all throughout the Scriptures that there are these great divides, these great contrasts. These great
separations, if you will.

In dealing with this subject in light of the church, I believe we need to begin with each of us as individuals.
No church is any stronger than the godliness of its members. And surely, the doctrine of separation must begin
with the life of the individual child of God. The Bible says that we are in a warfare against sin and the power of
Satan. And no child of God can be faithful in obeying the Word of God, unless he practices, under the sanctifying
power of the Holy Spirit, what is commonly called personal separation.

PERSONAL SEPARATION

Paul entreats us in Romans 12:1,2: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed
to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good,
and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” The child of God is to separate himself from the carnal worldly
desires around him, and be separated to the will of God as found in His Word.

In Galatians 5, we see another example of these great Biblical contrasts, of which we have been speaking —
with a great separation between the two sides. Paul tells us, beginning in verse 19: “Now the works of the flesh
are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred,
variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such
like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not
inherit the kingdom of God.” And here, Paul speaks of ungodly actions, as well as departure from the truth.

But Paul does not stop there. On the other side, he says: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are
Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
So he tells us here in verse 25, that we are to separate from evil practices and beliefs — we are to CRUCIFY
THEM — in OUR OWN LIVES and walk in the Spirit, with the manifest fruits which are enumerated here.

There MUST be a separation. Matthew 6:24 says: “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the
one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
You will either be on the side of Christ and obedience to His Word, or you will be on the side of the devil
and the lusts of the flesh. Again, more of these wonderful Biblical contrasts.

When each of us considers these matters in our own hearts, there can be NO room for smugness or pride.
We MUST be struck with the same thing that the Apostle Paul struggled with. He writes in Romans 7:18: “For I
know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform
that which is good I find not.…” Then, in the next verse, he writes: “For the good that I would I do not: but the
evil which I would not, that I do.”

But, Paul seems to take heart as chapter 8 opens. He writes: “There is therefore now no condemnation to
them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life
in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”

Paul sees that seeking to live in obedience to God is a hopeless pursuit if we are to do it by our own strength
and willpower. However, later in chapter 8, verses 13 and 14, he reveals the only means to obedient Christian
living: “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of
the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” It is wholly
the Spirit of God that brings about our justification (which is an act of God’s free grace); and our sanctification
(which the Westminster Shorter Catechism describes as the “WORK of God’s free grace, whereby we are
renewed in the whole man, after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto
righteousness”).

One of the main reasons I think so many churches are weak and lukewarm in our day is because men and
women are living carnal lives, in disobedience to God’s Word. They want to have one foot in the things of God,
and one foot in the things of the world. They want to be known as Christians, but they have set up permanent
residency in this old sinful world, and have nothing to do with being “strangers” and “pilgrims” as God’s Word
requires.

We can bemoan the carnality in the church; we can long for the days when living the Christian life, and
living in obedience to God’s Word, seemed to be taken much more seriously. However, let each of us look to
ourselves, and in humility before God, seek to be faithful in OUR lives, faithful in OUR actions, and faithful in
OUR stand for the truth. These are evil days, and men and women of God, who have the Word of God, and love
the Saviour, must not allow their testimonies to be compromised by leaving even a little space for that which is
worldly and carnal. In this day when entertainment and pleasure are portrayed as our total end in life, let us take
the words of Paul to the Corinthians: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men [conduct yourselves
like men], be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). We are in a battle. Let us be “good soldiers of Jesus Christ,” forgoing
or personal desires to follow and serve Him.

SEPARATION FROM UNBELIEF

As individual believers, God has commanded that we worship Him and come together as bodies of believers
in the areas in which we live. It is such a blessing to be here at the ICCC Congress, and to see Christians from
all over this little globe. It is always a blessing when I’ve had opportunity to travel to other lands to be able to
worship together with those of like precious faith; to be with those who love this same Word of God, this same
Christ, and seek to honor and obey Him. The ICCC is a council of CHURCHES, and it is likewise a blessing to
see the testimony of the many constituent bodies serving and worshipping God in their respective countries and
traditions.

However, we all know that there are many churches which deny the very things taught to us in the Word
of God. The ICCC came into being in 1948 in opposition to the World Council of Churches, which contained
many churches and leaders who scoffed at the Virgin Birth of Christ, His vicarious atonement on the cross, His
bodily resurrection, His Deity, and so forth. If you look at the ICCC doctrinal statement, our founders, in carefully
crafted and clear language set forth many of the cardinal doctrines of the Word of God. This was a Council
which contained churches which believed the Word of God and was ready to uphold the truth.

Our forefathers didn’t go to Amsterdam and say, “We’ll just be the conservative wing of the World Council
of Churches. We must maintain unity.” No, they saw the apostasy and departure from the faith, and were determined
to stand against it. The American Council of Christian Churches has all these years had as its theme
verse, Jude 3: “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for
me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered
unto the saints.” Verse 4 further explains: “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old
ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the
only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Here were men who were infecting the church with unbelief.”

All through the Bible we are warned against false prophets and teachers. Jesus Christ Himself, in Matthew
7:15, says: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening
wolves.” They were teaching ERROR, as opposed to TRUTH — the contrast which we saw before in 1 John
4:6.

We think of the great missionary advances in the Book of Acts, where the Gospel message was taken far
from Jerusalem. Yet, when Paul was with the Ephesian elders for the last time, he admonished them in Acts
20:28-32 to “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made
you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after
my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall
men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by
the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend
you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among
all them which are sanctified.” Here Paul uses the same terminology that Christ used in Matthew. He called
them “wolves.”

It is quite clear throughout all of Scripture that there is to be separation from those who teach false doctrine
and behave in an ungodly manner. Ephesians 5:11 says: “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather reprove them.” And, indeed, those who deny salvation through Christ alone and teach a
false gospel are “unfruitful works of darkness.” The Bible has no equivocation on this matter.

I would imagine that if I were to ask you for perhaps the key passage dealing with Biblical separation, most
of you would mention one of my assigned texts: 2 Corinthians 6. In this chapter Paul again brings out more of
these great Biblical contrasts in stark relief, which touch on both ecclesiastical and personal separation. Verse 14
begins with a very clear command: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers.” And then a series of
contrasts are given to bring the matter into plain focus. He asks them:

What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?
What communion hath light with darkness?
What concord hath Christ with Belial?
What part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
What agreement hath the temple of God with idols?
And then he states God’s command that we are to “Come out from among them and be ye separate.”
Nothing could be clearer!

In 2 John 5, John tells the “elect lady” that he was giving her a commandment, which was not new, but went
back to the very beginning. What was it? “That we love one another.” Yet, just a few verses later, he warns her
that there are false teachers and those who abide not in the doctrine of Christ. He then tells her: “If there come
any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he
that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”

Unfortunately, many Bible believing Christians refuse to obey these commands. Dr. J. Gresham Machen,
who separated from the Presbyterian Church in the USA, over the apostasy and unbelief which overtook that
denomination in the 1930s, stated that the biggest problem was those who he termed “Indifferentists.” They said
that they believed the Bible, yet they would not do anything about the unbelievers in their midst. They were “indifferent”
to the alarming danger of apostasy, which surrounded them. As the years went by, those who said they
were tired of fighting, wanted just to get along, and refused to confront the unbelief, found themselves compromised,
and little by little they began to accept and make more and more excuses for the heresy which used
to trouble them. Dr. Machen stated: “… the worst sin today is to say that you agree with the Christian faith and
believe in the Bible, but then make common cause with those who deny the basic facts of Christianity. Never
was it more obviously true that he that is not with Christ is against Him.”

Even some who have separated from apostasy refuse to take a clear stand, and are willing to join with others
who remain in the apostasy; are willing to tone down their teaching so as not to cause dissention; are willing to
preach what they call a “positive gospel,” so as not to be “too negative.” Yet, if we look at the example of the
writers of Scripture, they preached a BIBLICAL GOSPEL, which included both positive and negative aspects.
Many today, by their actions, prove that they would not be happy with the ministry of the Prophet Isaiah,
when he stated: “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression,
and the house of Jacob their sins” (Isaiah 58:1).

The founders of the ICCC not only stood against unbelief in the church, they also separated from those who,
like those just described by Dr. Machen, say they believe the Bible, yet make common cause with the enemies
of Christ. The mid-20th Century saw the rise of what was referred to as the New Evangelicalism. These church
leaders wanted to gain the respectability of the world and the liberals in the Church by showing that they were
scholarly and more reasonable than the hated Fundamentalists. They simply ignored the Biblical commands
to SEPARATE from unbelief, and instead had the philosophy, born of human reason, that they would INFILTRATE
the dead, apostate churches.

As the years have progressed into the 21st century, to the year 2012, I suppose the New Evangelicalism is
no longer New, yet the damage of that philosophy abides with us still. In June 2011 we saw the much publicized
meeting of the World Council of Churches, the Roman Catholic Church and the World Evangelical Fellowship.
The World Evangelical Fellowship is an international body begun by those who hold to the New Evangelical
philosophy. It is very sad to see that this group includes churches which claim to believe in the Word of God,
yet they make common cause with the enemies of Christ. We believe that such fellowship with infidels is simple
disobedience to the Word of God. We grieve that such supposedly “conservative” denominations as the Presbyterian
Church in America and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and evangelical churches in many of your
countries, are involved in this. Such things have created much confusion and disagreement between those who
claim to be Bible-believing Christians. Some say, we must separate from those Christians who are disobedient
to this command to separate. Others say that such is the spirit of schism; and these often derisively refer to
second-, third- and fourth-degree separation. As with all such questions, we must be directed by the teaching of
the Word of God.

SEPARATION FROM BELIEVERS

The idea of “separation from fellow believers” is NOT something we should ever desire. Jesus Christ told
His disciples very clearly: “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another”
(John 13:35). Many of the fruit of the Spirit, which Paul lists in Galatians 5:22 and 23, and we discussed
earlier, have to do with our dealings with our fellow believers, as well as our relationship with God: “LOVE
your brethren. Be at PEACE with your brethren; REJOICE with your brethren; be LONGSUFFERING with
your brethren; be GENTLE with your brethren; be GOOD in dealing with your brethren; be FAITHFUL to your
brethren; be MEEK in dealing with your brethren; be TEMPERATE with your brethren. If we are faithful in
doing all of these things, we will desire the VERY BEST for our brethren. We rejoice when we see our brethren
growing in the Lord and receiving His blessing. We grieve when we see a brother fall or suffer trials and persecutions.

Unfortunately, most of us have known those who seem to relish finding fault with their brethren, who seemingly
like to puff themselves up by pointing to the failings of other. This is not what the Bible teaches that we
are to do.

There are also those with a party spirit. If you are not with MY group, or MY church, then you are not an
obedient Christian. This also is a sin. Paul spoke of this party spirit to the carnal Corinthian church in verses 10-
13 of the first chapter of his First Epistle to that church: “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly
joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren,
by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every
one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul
crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?”

Paul does not drop the subject there. In chapter 3 of the same epistle, he states in verses 3-9: “For ye are yet
carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who
is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos
watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but
God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his
own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye
are God’s building.”

Later still, in chapter 12, Paul states that there is diversity in the Body of Christ. We are not all exactly the
same and we were never intended to be. In verses 4-6, he states: “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same
Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations,
but it is the same God which worketh all in all.” He continues in verse 12: “For as the body is one, and hath
many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.” The rest of
the chapter elaborates on this, and states that one member cannot say of another: “I have no need of thee.” Verse
25 says: “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for
another.” And then verse 27: “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” Paul repeats this
theme in Ephesians 4 and many other places.

Even when we see brethren with weaknesses, our goal should be to build each other up and to restore. Paul
closes his first epistle to the church at Thessalonica, verses 11-15: “Wherefore comfort yourselves together,
and edify one another, even as also ye do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among
you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s
sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the
feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but
ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”

Back in 1 Corinthians 10, Paul also warns the Corinthians against carnality and sin. He catalogs a whole
list of sins, and refers to Old Testament accounts of actual cases where God judged individuals for these sins.
He says: “Now all these things [these Old Testament accounts] happened unto them for examples: and they are
written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” But then, Paul immediately warns
against pride. We should never look at the sins we see in others and smugly think that we are above them. Paul
says: “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

The Presbyterians among us honor the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms. Concerning the 9th
Commanment, the Larger Catechism states that the following are a violation of the command to not bear false
witness of our neighbors: “speaking the truth unseasonably, or maliciously to a wrong end, or perverting it to a
wrong meaning, or in doubtful or equivocal expressions, to the prejudice of truth or justice; speaking untruth,
lying, slandering, backbiting, detracting, talebearing, whispering, scoffing, reviling, rash, harsh, and partial censuring;
misconstructing intentions, words, and actions; flattering, vain-glorious boasting, thinking or speaking
too highly or too meanly of ourselves or others; denying the gifts and graces of God; aggravating smaller faults;
hiding, excusing, or extenuating of sins, when called to a free confession; unnecessarily discovering of infirmities;
raising false rumors, receiving and countenancing evil reports, and stopping our ears against just defence;
evil suspicion; envying or grieving at the deserved credit of any, endeavoring or desiring to impair it, rejoicing
in their disgrace and infamy; scornful contempt, fond admiration; breach of lawful promises; neglecting such
things as are of good report, and practicing, or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering what we can in others,
such things as procure an ill name.”

“The duties required in the ninth commandment are, the preserving and promoting of truth between man and
man, and the good name of our neighbor, as well as our own; appearing and standing for the truth; and from the
heart, sincerely, freely, clearly, and fully, speaking the truth, and only the truth, in matters of judgment and justice,
and in all other things whatsoever; a charitable esteem of our neighbors; loving, desiring, and rejoicing in
their good name; sorrowing for, and covering of their infirmities; freely acknowledging of their gifts and graces,
defending their innocency; a ready receiving of a good report, and unwillingness to admit of an evil report,
concerning them; discouraging talebearers, flatterers, and slanderers; love and care of our own good name, and
defending it when need requireth; keeping of lawful promises; studying and practicing of whatsoever things are
true, honest, lovely, and of good report.” Do we do all these things when dealing with our fellow believers?
Even when, sadly, our brethren do things which need to be addressed, such passages as Matthew 18 detail
how private problems with brethren are to be handled, with stronger and more public steps to be taken should
not the sinful situation be resolved.

2 Timothy 4:2 shows us that there are a number of steps to be taken before separation from a fellow believer
should be considered: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all
longsuffering and doctrine.” Here, we see that reproof, rebuke and exhortation are all in order in seeking to deal
with those who are wandering from the path. And Paul is quick to exhort young Timothy that it is not to be a
quick impatient thing, or one of personal differences. It is to be with ALL LONGSUFFERING and with DOCTRINE.
There are many today who say they think we should emphasize Christian living, and de-emphasize
doctinre. But, Paul says that DOCTRINE is necessary and VITAL to proper Christian living and obedience to
God.

It is interesting that many of these passages on disobedient brethren are found at the close of Paul’s epistles.
These are things which are heavy on his heart, and things which he wants them to remember. At the end of
Galatians, chapter 6, verses 1 and 2, Paul says: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual,
restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one
another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

As we read in one of our two assigned passages, Romans 16 (again the last chapter of one of his epistles) we
see that the Apostle Paul very much has this love of the brethren in his heart and mind, which we have detailed
in these last few minutes. He is not just the Great Apostle to the Gentiles who is writing generally to a church,
with little connection to those in the church. He sends deep, genuine, heartfelt greetings to a number of individuals,
all whom he describes fondly with a real sense of gratitude for their service to Christ. He mentions Phoebe:
“a succourer of many, and of myself also.” Priscilla and Aquila: “my helpers in Christ Jesus.” And on he goes,
calling several his “beloved,” and even refers to one as his “mother also,” obviously feeling great affection and
gratitude to her for her love and hospitality to him.

Following our key verse, verse 17, he sends greetings from a number of other specific believers to the members
of the Church at Rome, including that of Tertius, his scribe — his emanuensis. There is obviously a deep
bond between these brothers and sisters in Christ, separated by so many miles. Yet in the middle of this passage,
Paul has a warning for the Romans, and to all of us. He writes: “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them
which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 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. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf:
but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall
bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”

Paul does not specifically give names of these ones to avoid, but it is obvious that they were those within the
church, who claimed to be believers, and that the Roman Christians knew of whom he spoke. To whomever he
referred, they were obviously very likable and very gifted at public speaking. Yet, they were teaching false doctrine
and thus causing divisions within the church. Despite the love and affection Paul obviously shared with the
Roman Christians, he felt it necessary to warn them to be wise in discerning truth, but also in discerning error.
There are many today who accuse Bible-believing Christians of being too harsh. There are those who say
that the Bible does not teach separation from believers. Yet, here the Apostle Paul tells the obedient believers
of Rome to MARK those bringing in false doctrine. They are first of all to be discerning and be able to recognize
that which departs from the truth. Once that is done, they are to AV OID them. They are not to give them
credence and give them any credibility by continuing to fellowship with them. Many today accuse the faithful
Bible believer of causing dissention and division, yet here Paul lays the blame for this at the feet of those departing
from the truth.

I believe it is important to state that those who say that the Bible does not teach “separation from brethren,”
are simply wrong factually. The words of Scripture are so abundantly clear, that this is not a matter of debate. In
Matthew 18, to which we earlier referred, Jesus Christ Himself speaks concerning “If thy brother shall trespass
against thee.…” Here, Christ uses the Greek word ADELPHOS, which means BROTHER. A completely uncredible
twisting of the language would have to be employed to make this statement mean anything other than
that which is obvious.

After all of the steps are taken to correct this “trespass” by a “brother,” Christ tells us that if he does mend
his ways after being instructed by the church, “let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” Strong
words, but indeed sufficient alone to show that Christ and His Word do teach a doctrine of “separation from
brethren.”

In 2 Thessalonians 3:6, Paul gives a direct order to the church members there: “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.” Here Paul uses the same root word for the believers
in the church as he does for those who are walking disorderly. They are both BRETHREN. However, those obedient
Christians in the church of Thessalonica are to WITHDRAW THEMSELVES from the BRETHREN who
are walking disorderly. Again, the language is so clear as to show that Christ and His Word do teach a doctrine
of “separation from brethren.”

1 Corinthians 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.” Again, the same Greek word for BROTHER is used, and the language is so clear as to show that
Christ and His Word do teach a doctrine of “separation from brethren.”

Titus 3:10 says: “A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject.” This is obviously
someone claiming to be a child of God. But, the believers were to admonish him twice to return to orthodox
Biblical Christianity. If he should refuse, they were to then reject him.

But Paul was not afraid to openly admit to differences among dear brethren, and to name names when
necessary. At the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, we see that there was not total unity. We read: “And when there
had been much disputing, Peter rose and said to them, Men, brethren, ye know that a good while ago, God made
choice among us, that the Gentiles, by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.” They were
able to work out their differences of thinking by sharing wise council between one another.

Also in Acts 15, we read: “And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our
brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined
to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them,
who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so
sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto
Cyprus; And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. And
he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.” Here were two brothers, with great love for each
other, who had ministered together with great affection and effectiveness, yet they had a strong disagreement,
and went their separate ways.

Even between Apostles there was not always uniformity and perfect obedience. In Galatians 2:11, Paul
writes: “But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.” Here
was one Apostle telling the Galatian Christians of a fault in another Apostle!

I’m sure everyone in this room has had times when working in your denominations, and in your local congregations,
when such disagreements have arisen. These are not situations requiring separation. It does however
show that none of us is above needing correction, and we should humbly heed the counsel of godly friends
when it is required. Also, it shows that some differences of a lesser nature, do not require separation, but nonetheless
make it prudent to work separately. This in no way lessens the love we are to have one to another.

But, there are cases where Paul clearly denounces those who have departed from the truth, and refuse to
heed godly counsel from God’s Word. In writing to Timothy, he warns him several times in both epistles against
several claiming to be Bible teachers. In 2 Timothy 2:15-18, he admonishes Timothy to diligently study God’s
Word so he would know the truth and be able to teach it. He wrote: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Immediately after this, he gives
examples of those who are not properly teaching God’s Word: “But shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they
will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith
of some.”

In 1 Timothy 1, Paul showed that he fully comprehended his own corruption apart from Christ. In verse 15,
he writes: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save
sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew
forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.”

Then Paul commands Timothy to “war a good warfare, holding faith, and a good conscience.” He gives a
warning, and names two individuals: “some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom
is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.”

2 Timothy 4:14-15: “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his
works. Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

Many godly men in the past have upheld these doctrines of Scripture. Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the great
Baptist pastor in London, declared on October 7, 1888: “That I might not stultify my testimony, I have cut myself
clear of those who err from the faith, and even from those who associate with them.”

I realize that there are many Bible scholars sitting before me today, who could give great insight into the
subtlties of the original languages and a sophisticated application of the principles of hermeneutics. However,
sometimes the simplest of illustrations can make a powerful point.

Dr. John Ashbrook, a long-time Fundamentalist leader in the United States, who went to be with the Lord
last month, once wrote of his childhood: “I did a good bit of my growing up with my grandfather on a farm
in western Pennsylvania. Not far away lived a boy who was more like Huckleberry Finn than anyone I ever
knew.… Whenever work was done I sought out this friend as a companion. However, we could never be together
for ten minutes before Granddad would break us up with some work assignment for me. It dawned on me that
this was not by chance. I asked why I couldn’t play with this friend. Granddad’s reply was, “You are not going
to swear and you are not going to run around with boys who do.” I wasn’t in favor of his answer that day, but
he was right. If you hang with the swearing crowd you will swear. If you hang with the smoking crowd you will
smoke. And, as a Christian, if you hang with the compromising crowd you will compromise.”

But even many who concede the obvious — that the Bible does teach that there are times when it is necessary
to separate from brethren — they throw up all kinds of objections. I plan to cover just a few of these briefly.
Dr. John Ashbrook, who I just quoted, had a very good discussion of several of these points in an article he
wrote on “Separation from Brethren”:

1. How far are you going to separate? The argument is taken to the extreme: They say: “If you believe in
second-, third-, fourth-, fifth-degree separation, soon there will be no one left but you. This, of course, is an
argument from HUMAN REASONING, not the Word of God. Separation is a command of Scripture. Any
not practicing it, are disobedient to Scripture. Therefore, we are to separate from those who are disobedient to
Scripture. Dr. Ashbrook wrote concerning this: “The person who has rent the fellowship of the body of Christ is
not the fundamentalist who insists on obeying Scripture, but the new evangelical who insists on fellowshipping
out of bounds.”

Dr. Charles Woodbridge, who was the first General Secretary of The Independent Board for Presbyterian
Foreign Missions, wrote several books on this subject. One was titled: The Deadly Menace of New Evangelicalism.
Unfortunately, today, many, even in Fundamental circles, no longer consider it a “deadly menace,” but
rather something to be embraced. Both positions certainly cannot be correct or Biblical.

Dr. Woodbridge, in discussing the terminology of “degrees of separation,” stated: “The emphasis upon ‘first
degree’ separation and the rejection of ‘second degree’ separation not only provides a cozy refuge for compromisers.
It also furnishes would-be compromisers with a philosophical (but not Biblical) platform or basis for
compromise. Perhaps they begin to feel that it is no longer necessary really to hate evil. One may “hate” it in its
most obvious and virulent forms, but ignore it in its relatively “innocuous” forms! This is not the teaching of the
Word of God.”

2. “It is impossible to be consistent”: Again, an argument from HUMAN REASONING. There has never
been one of us who has been totally consistent in our testimony. However, that is not a reason to throw out that
teaching of Scripture, and not to even try to be faithful. It must always be our prayer, with the Lord’s help, to be
consistent in following His commands.

There are many things in Scripture which required the guidance of God’s Spirit and humility before the Lord
to discern. For instance, all through the Scriptures, we see commands to shun worldly practices. Just because
the Scriptures don’t outline every detail of every worldly practice, doesn’t mean there are no worldly practices
that are deadly, and we are commanded to avoid. Likewise, just because we aren’t given a manual from the
Lord each year, listing every person and church from which we are to withdraw, doesn’t mean that there aren’t
churches and people from whom the Lord expects us to withdraw.

Also, there may not be total uniformity in agreement on some of these matters. There is the problem of
those who are indifferent or seem to be blind to certain compromises. But, there is also the problem of being too
dogmatic on lesser matters which are not central to our Christian belief and practice. May we be very careful,
humble and longsuffering in dealing with such matters.

3. “But that compromising group is doing so much good”: Again, another argument from HUMAN REASONING,
not the Scriptures. We certainly can recognize when a group is providing food and clothing for the
hungry, digging wells, providing education, or what have you, but this is not a Biblical argument. 1 Samuel
15:22 says: “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying
the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” Here were
people doing something which outwardly was considered good, but God has a different standard! Obedience to
His Word is what pleases God.

4. “Well, we’ll all be in heaven together”: That is very true. But, ONCE AGAIN, we have a flawed argument
from HUMAN REASONING. When we get to heaven, we will all be glorified and see all things as God sees
them. Our fellowship in heaven will be a great blessing. It is also true that any church or individual Christian
which begins to practice separation on this earth will gladly be received once again with open arms by the Bible
believer.

CONCLUSION

We have seen that all through the Scriptures there is presented a great divide between God and Satan, Truth
and Error, Good and Evil, Light and Darkness, and Life and Death. We worship a God who “is righteous in all
his ways, and holy in all his works” (Psalm 145:17). The Lord commands us to: “Be ye holy; for I am holy”
(Levitivus 11:44 and 1 Peter 1:16). Anything which in any way departs from the holiness of God should be
avoided. Psalm 37:27 tells us to: “Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.”
May those of us who are separatists, who seek to be obedient to God’s Word, be known as the MOST loving
Christians, the MOST peaceful Christians, the MOST longsuffering Christians, the MOST humble Christians
—the MOST godly Christians (only through the work of God’s Spirit in our lives), but may we humbly and
graciously seek to follow His commands, no matter what the consequences should be, so that our witness will
be known by all to be uncompromisingly “for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation
1:9).