THE POSITIVE TRUTH OF SEPARATION
The doctrine of separation is often
viewed in a most negative light, leading to inevitable groans whenever
it is raised. The doctrine is never mentioned from many pulpits and if
so, only to be criticised and denounced. Such attitudes in the pulpit
will affect the whole church. This article is designed to counteract
such imbalance and give the doctrine of separation, the respect it so
richly deserves.
1) REASONS WHY THE DOCTRINE OF SEPARATION IS VIEWED NO NEGATIVELY:
If we can trace the effect back to the cause…then we might be able to tackle the problem head on.
A/ It is often viewed as
relating only to ecclesiastical matters. If so, then only half the
truth is on display. Separation is much more than applying 2
Corinthians 6:14-18 ("Come out from among them…") to Christians
still in membership of the WCC or other ecumenical bodies. The doctrine
of separation applies to the Christian in every sphere of life. A man
could be totally outside the ecumenical movement giving it no support
whether bodily, morally or financially and yet not be a separatist in
the fullest sense of the word. The Bible uses the very graphic
similitude of whoredom to denote not only the Church of Rome and her
satellites (Revelation 17:5) but also for those who befriend the world
(James 4:4) i.e. worldly Christians. Separation is a vital means to as
well as a result of personal holiness. We do a grave injustice to the
separation texts to limit them to church matters.
B/ Sometimes it is the "one
string on the preacher's harp." Partly because of the reason given
above i.e. it is linked exclusively to ecclesiastical situations. Even
if limited to church matters, separation is vitally important. A man
who saddles himself with apostates and modernists cannot expect the
blessing of God and it is right that he be urged to forsake that which
has forsaken God (See accompanying article on the apostasy of the
Presbyterian Church in Ireland as an example) We need to determine how
much attention is to be given to exposing error. One message may
suffice or it may need a few. But, vital as it is to protect the sheep
in the fold, the Shepherd needs also to feed them. The sins of the
apostates do not feed the sheep. They need to feed on the beauties of
Christ who is "altogether lovely" By all means we are to be watchmen on
the towers of Zion…but we need to spend time feeding the people
by preaching the "whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27) No NT church can
be built or survive on controversy alone.
C/ It is often confused with the
practice of isolationism: Two verses in the NT use similar words, but
speak of two entirely different types of people.
[1] "Come out from among them and be ye separate…" (2 Corinthians 6:14)
[2] "These be they who separate themselves…" (Jude 19)
Those referred to in Corinthians are
commanded by God to separate. They await the blessing of God. Those in
Jude (to finish the quote) are "sensual, having not the Spirit" and
come under condemnation. Those in Jude are not Bible separatists but
isolationists. They have moved into an "ourselves alone" faction. Such
believe that their sect alone have a monopoly of the truth and usually
take the opinion that if the Apostle Paul came to their home town he
would not dream of worshipping anywhere else. Since the true separatist
can fellowship with all who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity and truth,
he is not an isolationist.
D/ It is often advocated or
practised from wrong motives: Instead of being to "the glory of God" (1
Corinthians 10:31) sometimes it is strenuously advocated for sectarian
or party reasons. Like those in Jude 19, although a man may sail under
the banner of separation and quote 2 Corinthians 6:14 etc., he may in
fact be a schismatic. It is to be regretted that some embrace sound
principles but do so with unsound and unworthy motives. Paul spoke of
those in Philippians 1:15 who "preached Christ" (worthy deed) but did
so with "envy and strife" (unworthy motive) and whilst Paul rejoiced
any way that Christ was preached, yet no one would argue that the
situation was ideal and worthy of imitation. But bad adherents do not
make a bad cause. David's cause was pure even though he some of those
around him were "wicked men and men of Belial" (1 Samuel 30:22-23) It
can be also said that some urge separation at the wrong time. The first
rocking of the boat - inevitable in an institution full of humans - is
not the time to jump. There are battles that can be fought and won -
although there does need to be a fight!
E/ The time when this doctrine
comes to the fore is not conducive to popularity. It is usually not
made much - at least in the ecclesiastical sense- when the church is in
revival or when its Theological Halls, pulpits at home and abroad are
sound. It is not even made much of when unsound doctrine or practice
comes to light and it is known that offenders will be dealt with in
such a way as to protect the purity of the Church as well as seek their
restoration. It comes to light when error is tolerated or justified and
when the church divides into two or more camps. Those who want to see
Satan's attack dealt with quickly and firmly and those who, for
different reasons, would sit back and thus allow error to become deep
seated. To have some speak of separation is a symptom of faults in the
church in the church - not a cause. It shows that the unity has been
broken - that the yoke has become unequal and that friction has
replaced harmony. These are not happy times in the church and the
doctrine of separation, by its very nature, is associated with them.
F/ Its opponents have engaged
in a campaign of vilification against it. Separatists are often said to
be per se "unloving" even though love "rejoices not in iniquity but in
the truth." (1 Corinthians 13:6) We are often accused of being
destructive and portrayed as being out of touch with the spirit of the
age which is calling for "toleration and unity" This vilification is
amply illustrated by the words of the apostate Ahab who met Elijah with
the words "Art thou he that troubleth Israel?" (1 Kings 18:17) as if
Elijah's holy principles: his faith in the sacred scriptures and
worship of Jehovah as the one true and living God as opposed to the all
inclusive Baal worship was the cause of Israel's troubles. If you would
sit neutral on the matter, judge the characters of the apostates who
deride and vilify the separatists. It is the ancient tactic of
criminals to cry aloud against the "crimes" of others and so divert
attention away from themselves. Remember that many of those who go to
any length to blacken and disparage the separatist position, swore
solemnly to uphold their church's confession of faith and defend it
when it is attacked. See what actions they take against the Bible
deniers. They reserve their harsh words for those whose crime is only
faithfulness to God.
2) THE POSITIVE SIDE OF SEPARATION EXPOUNDED:
The great texts exhorting separation
use words like "avoid" (Romans 16:17-18) "reprove" (Ephesians 5:11) "no
fellowship" (Ephesians 5:11) "be not unequally yoked with" (2
Corinthians 6:14) "come out from" (2 Corinthians 6:17) "reject" (Titus
3:10) "withdraw" (2 Thessalonians 3:6) "rebuke" (Titus 1:13) "turn away
from" (2 Timothy 3:5) "admonish" (2 Thessalonians 3:15) etc., Although
these are negative words, yet they are no more negative when Christ
cleansed the temple (Matthew 21:12-13) or lashed the Pharisees and
scribes (Matthew 23:1-33) Every negative has a positive. "Thou shalt
not kill" implies "Thou shalt preserve life." Likewise, "Thou shalt not
commit adultery" implies "Thou shalt maintain chastity." So too with
separation. We are being asked to separate from that which is
depressingly negative and two negatives in the English language make a
positive. Lets explore the positive a little further:
A/ In our separation, as
commanded by Scripture, we are obeying God: And "to obey is better than
sacrifice" (1 Samuel 15:22) It was not us who decreed this "negative
doctrine" It is not our brainchild, but rather it was decreed and
practised by God. We observe that God did not dialogue with Satan to
find "common ground" after Satan's rebellion. Rather, as noted in Luke
10:18, we observe Satan's speedy exit. Those who would compromise the
honour of the God whom they profess to love, should not revile those
who also profess to love Him who said: "Ye are my friends, if ye do
whatsoever I command you" (John 15:14) and "Why call ye me, Lord, Lord
and do not the things I say?" (Luke 6:46) In separating from the
unclean thing, we are but obeying God which is the most positive thing
we can do.
B/ the Bible also uses most
positive language concerning this doctrine: "Is there not a cause?"
asked David in 1 Samuel 17:29 who refused to allow the uncircumcised
Philistine to defy the armies of the Living God. These words are most
positive. They call us out of apathy, carelessness and fear and they
call us to rally round a principle. This rallying call of David turned
the hitherto defeatist fortunes of the cause of God in Israel. We are
reminded of Paul's words: "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you
like men, be strong." (1 Corinthians 16:13) They are a call to positive
action. How often in the NT we are aroused by the holy apostles
summonsing us to war. As above, we are to "stand fast in the liberty
wherewith Christ has made us free…" [a most positive statement
if ever there was one. especially when contrasted with what is to
follow:] "…and be not entangled again in the yoke of bondage."
(Galatians 5:1) We are also called to "stand fast and hold the
traditions which ye have taught" (2 Thessalonians 2:15) We are to "hold
fast" the form of sound words (2 Timothy 1:13) We are to "hold fast"
the confidence and rejoicing of the hope firm to the end" (Hebrews 3:6)
"Hold fast" our profession (Hebrews 4:6) "Hold fast" that which is good
(1 Thessalonians 5:21) We are to "strive together" for the faith of the
gospel (Philippians 1:27) [Another most positive statement] We are to
"contend for the faith once delivered" (Jude 3) and so on. When a man
sits in a presbytery or church council with modernists and other Christ
deniers, far from being a most positive character, he is said to have
"suffered that woman Jezebel which callest herself a prophetess to
teach and seduce my servants…" (Revelation 2:20) Only clean cut
separation enables us to be faithful to God.
C) Our separation is "unto
Jesus without the camp" (Hebrews 13:13) This alone is where Jesus is
found. This is where He wants us to be. The price is high. It entails
"bearing His reproach" although compared with Calvary, no cost can be
considered too high to pay. But notice that it is indeed unto Him. It
is relatively easy to make it outside the camp but if it is not
distinctly unto Christ, then it is of little purpose. A.W. Pink
commenting on this verse wrote: "Christ Himself must be the grand
object before the heart, and then the baubles of the world will not
possess much attraction to us. If he is not, then, although we may
become aesthetes, there will be no contentment, still less joy: our
case would be like that of many of the Israelites who had "gone forth"
from Egypt, yet continued to lust after its flesh pots." I think it was
Luther who commented that the first person the blind man in John 9 met
after he was excommunicated from the temple was Christ Himself. Christ
is not in the camp of apostasy. It is true that He taught in their
synagogues and temple. He called the latter "my Father's house" (John
2:46) but soon He was say: "Behold your house is left unto you
desolate" (Matthew 23:38) and having scathed the clergy, we read these
most significant words: "And Jesus went out and departed from the
temple." (Matthew 24:1) We need to remember that "outside the camp" has
as much to do with the world as with the "World Council of Churches"
D/ Separation always leads to
greater blessings: Mention has already been made of the blind man in
John 9. Obedience always leads to blessing. "Them that honour me" says
God, "I will honour." (1 Samuel 2:30)
Separation from those churches where
apostasy is tolerated if not actually encouraged will lead to purity of
worship: God must be worshipped in spirit and in truth (John 4:24)
Hymnbooks that have been tampered with to ensure that all references to
the atoning blood of Christ are removed can hardly be said to help us
worship God in truth. Churches where the "glory hath departed" - dead,
lifeless, morgue like places - can hardly be said to have the presence
of the Spirit. Because a church vibrates with loud music and huge
crowds attend etc., are not necessarily spiritual churches. Or at
least, the resident spirit need not necessary be the Spirit of God.
A separatist church will lead to
greater liberty in the preaching of the gospel. A good example of this
lies in the situation in 19th Century Scotland where the chilling
influence of "moderatism" deadened the National Church and was
instrumental in preventing the gospel preaching remnant from passing
over parochial boundaries to preach Christ. Although till under the one
roof, the church was divided. Entire parishes were fed on a diet of
"cold morality" which ignored, if not contradicted the gospel of grace.
But when action was taken in 1843 - separation under the leadership of
Chalmers - the gospel once more sounded forth. No fear gripped the
evangelical wing - no intimidation from those whose sympathies lay
towards liberalism and apostasy.
Separation is a characteristic of
revival. When the Reformation movement separated from the Church of
Rome - not staying in to fight - but getting out completely (Luther
valiantly burning the Papal Bull) it saw revival sweep entire nations.
After Henry Cooke actively and aggressively fought against the Arians
within the Irish Presbyterian Camp and saw them thrust out from their
position in the church (they resigned and got out) only then did the
Irish Presbyterian Church see revival. In the great 1859 Revival which
swept Ulster, it is estimated that some 60% of the 100,000 converts
that year joined the Presbyterian Church. The cost of separation might
be high, but the yield is higher still and God will prove Himself to be
"no man's debtor" These then are most positive proofs.
3) HOW THESE POSITIVE TRUTHS ARE TO BE PROMOTED:
A/ We should actively propagate the
positive side of the Separation issue: The evil propaganda machine of
the apostates and weak evangelicals has churned out its
misrepresentations far too long. By all legitimate means e.g. the
pulpit, the printing press, the world wide web, word of mouth, private
letters etc., we must continually keep this matter before the people.
B/ By keeping to the main issues and
not being side tracked on lesser matters: There are secondary issues on
which it is best that we "agree to differ" but such an course is not
open to us if men who deny the fundamentals of the faith have the
ability to sway presbyteries and church councils etc., A fight is then
called for and where the error is deep seated - separation is the order
of the day, best summed up in the words: "Get out!"
C/ Show clearly the link between
separation and survival: It is not alarmist or crying 'Wolf!' If the
canker is not cut out or the bad apple removed, then the whole will be
destroyed. Apostasy does not die especially if it infiltrates the
Theological Hall of any denomination.
D/ Show the negative tags belong to
the liberals and modernists: When Elijah met with Ahab's slur
(mentioned earlier) the man of God answered: "I have not troubled
Israel but thou and thy father's house in that ye have forsaken the
commandment of the Lord." (1 Kings 18:17-18) Read Christ's words in
Matthew 23 and the words of Jude and 2 Peter 2 to learn what language
is appropriate in this context.
E/ Always keep Ephesians 4:3 in mind:
"Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." We
are not war mongers entering into controversy for the sake of it. This
verse does not mean unity with Rome or unity with modernists. The
Spirit of God does not contradict the Book of God which encourages us
to fight God's battles.
F/ Likewise keep Hebrews 13:1 ever in
front of us: "Let brotherly love continue." Remember that we can go
about a good cause a bad way. 1 Corinthians 13 is well worth studying.
It is not love to leave the sheep of Christ in the control of hireling
shepherds. Love will endeavour to free those sheep by the most
effective and quickest means necessary.
G/ Be totally consistent. If we would
take upon ourselves the commandment of God to fight
apostates…let us also be consistent and keep those commandments
which urge us unto personal holiness. Both Daniel and Stephen were
great contenders for the faith. Their personal holiness was exemplary:
Daniel 6:5/Acts 6:15 Inconsistency is a terrible indictment to be
levelled at us - especially if such a charge can be proven to be true.