Updated March 21, 2006 (first published April 23, 2002) (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) –

In 2 Timothy 2:15-26, we see a summary of biblical separation:

 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
 19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
 22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
 23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

THE FOUNDATION OF SEPARATION

First, we see the foundation of separation, which is a strong knowledge of the Scriptures. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). Unless the believer has a foundation in the Word of God, he will not be able to discern truth from error and therefore will not be able to practice separation properly. Yet, when we look around at Bible believing churches, it is frightening to see how shallow the average church member’s knowledge of the Bible is. Large numbers have never read the Bible through even one time. They are not skillful enough with the Bible to answer the challenges of false teachers. If church members are weak in Bible knowledge, they are susceptible to being led astray from the truth. Further, a good knowledge of the Scripture is necessary for spiritual discernment, and it is impossible to understand the issue of separation without keen spiritual discernment.

Following is a simple test of Bible knowledge:

(1) Do you read the Bible (Rev. 1:3)? The Bible is a book, and it should be read systematically. Yet some Christians have been saved for many years and have not read the Bible through even once.

(2) Do you study the Bible (2 Tim. 2:15)? Reading the Bible is not enough; it must be studied. Words must be defined; passages interpreted; the message applied to one’s life, etc.

(3) Do you know the meaning of Bible words? For example, can you define the following words from our text? subvert (2 Tim. 2:14), profane (2 Tim. 2:16), sanctified (2 Tim. 2:21), meet (2 Tim. 2:21), peradventure (2 Tim. 2:25), repentance (v. 25). It is impossible to understand the Bible if you don’t know the meaning of individual Bible words, and the only way to obtain such knowledge is a daily and diligent use of a good Bible dictionary, such as the Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity. Far too many Christians read their Bible in a hasty manner and do not take the time to study it. Rarely if ever to do they stop and look up words that they do not understand. They don’t go to the effort to obtain good Bible study tools and if they do own them, they don’t use them often enough.

(4) Do you know what each major section of the Bible means and how it all fits together? Such knowledge is crucial if one wants to understand the Bible properly. The Bible is one Book, but it is composed of 66 individual books. It is also made up of major divisions: the Pentateuch (Genesis-Deuteronomy), the Historical Writings (Joshua-Esther), the Poetical Books (Job-Song of Solomon), the Prophets (Isaiah-Malachi), the Gospels (Matthew-John), Acts, the Pauline Epistles (Romans-Titus), the General Epistles (Hebrews-Jude), and Revelation. To understand the Bible at any serious level, it is necessary to understand the teaching of each section and of how it fits into the message of the Bible as a whole. A good Bible survey is a starting point for obtaining this kind of knowledge.

(5) Do you understand the O.T. types (i.e., the tabernacle, the Old Testament priesthood, the Levitical offerings)? Much of the Old Testament is made up of types, which teach spiritual lessons about Christ and salvation and Christian living. It is impossible to understand the Bible without a good knowledge of these types.

(6) Do you understand Bible prophecy? Much of the Scripture is composed of prophecy. Some of the prophecies have been fulfilled while some of them await fulfillment. It is impossible to have a good grasp of Scripture if one does not understand the prophetic element. This means that one must understand such things as the covenants (i.e., Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, New), the doctrine of the kingdom of God, Messianic prophecy, prophecy pertaining to Israel, prophecy pertaining to the nations, prophecy pertaining to the course of the church age, and future events (i.e., the rapture, the tribulation, the coming of Christ, the millennium, and the judgments).

I am convinced that a basic Bible school course of instruction is the STARTING POINT for a good grasp of the Scripture. The level of Bible knowledge is desperately shallow even among members of fundamentalist Bible-believing churches.

It is the church’s responsibility to training its members thoroughly in the Word of God. The Lord Jesus stated that this is a necessary part of fulfilling His Great Commission. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Mat. 28:19-20).

Every church should be a Bible school.

Thus, the foundation of Bible separation is a strong knowledge of the Word of God. It is through such knowledge that the believer understands the difference between truth and error and can therefore know what he is to avoid.

Further, it is through such knowledge that the believer gains spiritual discernment so that he can have the wisdom to practice separation. Many people write to me and tell me that they are confused about separation and ask many questions on this topic, but a strong knowledge of the Word of God will take away the confusion and will enable the believer to understand these matters.

THE METHOD OF SEPARATION

The method of separation is seen in 2 Tim. 2:16-17. “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.”

(1) PLAINLY IDENTIFY THEM (v. 17). The practice of separation begins with identifying those who teach error. Paul named the names of false teachers and compromisers 10 times in 1 and 2 Timothy alone. Romans 16:17 says “mark” them. Unless the preacher plainly identifies the false teachers, how can the people be protected from them? It is not enough to warn about false doctrine in general. Yet it is common today for preachers not to name names and not to plainly identify those who are teaching error. So much of the preaching is vague and sin and error are only mentioned in generalities.

(2) SEPARATE FROM THEM. When the false teachers are identified, then we are to separate from them.

Notice the terms that are used to describe separation in the Scripture: “shun” v. 16, “purge oneself from” (2 Tim. 2:21), “from such turn away” (2 Tim. 3:5), “avoid” (Rom. 16:17), “have no fellowship with” (2 Cor. 6:14), “receive him not” (2 John 10).

Separation means to avoid the false teachers as well as their teaching. It involves disassociating from their meetings. It involves staying away from their books. The average Christian bookstore today is a dangerous place because it is filled with books that teach false doctrine. Separation means that I don’t watch false teachers on the television and don’t listen to them on the radio. One pastor in Michigan told me that his weakest and most unstable people are those who listen most frequently to Christian radio, and that is because the airwaves are filled today with compromisers and false teachers. Separation means that we shouldn’t study in their schools. It is also common today for professors at fundamentalist schools to pursue doctorates at compromised schools such as Dallas Seminary. If one studies at the feet of New Evangelicals there is a great possibility that he will become a New Evangelical. Separation also means we should avoid the music produced by those who are committed to doctrinal error. Contemporary Christian Music is unscriptural in its doctrine (i.e., ecumenism, charismaticism) and philosophy (i.e., music is neutral, you have to be like the sinner to win the sinner); therefore, God’s people must avoid it.

THE REASON FOR SEPARATION

The reason for separation is seen in vv. 16b, 17. “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.”

Error corrupts and spreads. Compare the following Scriptures:

“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” (Rom. 16:18).

“Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” (1 Cor. 5:6).

“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Cor. 15:33).

Consider the example of New Evangelicalism. Its leaders renounced separatism in 1948, and within 10 years it was infiltrated with liberal views of the Bible. One of the prominent New Evangelical leaders, Harold Lindsell, testified: “I must regretfully conclude that the term evangelical has been so debased that it has lost its usefulness. ... WITHIN A DECADE OR SO NEOEVANGELICALISM . . . WAS BEING ASSAULTED FROM WITHIN BY INCREASING SKEPTICISM WITH REGARD TO BIBLICAL INFALLIBILITY OR INERRANCY” (Lindsell, The Bible in the Balance, 1979).

Many fundamentalist churches today have started out on the same journey as the New Evangelicals 50 years ago, and the result will be the same. If we do not separate from error, we will be polluted by it.

Consider the example of evangelist Jack Van Impe. In the 1970s, he preached in fundamentalist circles. In the early 1980s, though, he changed his doctrine. In his 1984 book Heart Disease in Christ’s Body he denounced separatism and called for ecumenical unity. “God comes into the heart of Catholics, and Lutherans, and Baptists, and Pentecostals, and with God in us, we can fellowship with one another.” Within a few years after denouncing separation, Van Impe was in close fellowship with Rome. In his September 29, 1992, television program Van Impe “praised Pope John Paul II, calling him a ‘great’ man, extolling his character and telling his audience that they ought to ‘thank God’ for such a courageous religious leader.” In 1993, Van Impe published Startling Revelations:: Pope John Paul II, a video that presented the Pope as a defender of the faith!

Evangelist James Robison is another example of the corrupting influence of error. He was once a strong Bible preacher who preached against sin and modernism and error. In 1980, though, he became a charismatic, believing that demons were cast out of him. In 1987, I heard him speak at the North American Congress on the Holy Spirit & World Evangelization, which included thousands of Roman Catholics. There he said, “I tell you what, one of the finest moral representatives of morality in this earth right now is the pope. People who know it really believe he is a born again man.” How the mighty have fallen, because they have refused to practice separation!

Consider the example of Charles Fuller, founder of Fuller Theological Seminary. Fuller was a fundamentalist and believed in the inerrancy of Scripture, but he bought into the New Evangelical principles of infiltration and intellectualism and educated his son at the feet of modernists in Germany. As a result, Fuller’s son, Daniel, denied the faith of his father and threw aside the doctrine of the infallible inspiration of Scripture, believing that the Bible is inspired in its doctrine but not in its science and its history.

Consider the example of J.C. Ryle, 19th century Anglican evangelical leader. He was the Bishop of Liverpool from 1880-1900 and wrote boldly for biblical truth, but he didn’t separate from the apostate Anglican Church and educated his son at Anglican schools. As a result, his son, Herbert Edward Ryle, became Hulsean Professor of Divinity at Cambridge and ultimately Dean of Westminster, but he denied verbal inspiration, calling it “irretrievably shattered” and labeling it “bibliolatry” (M.H. Fitzgerald, Memoir of Herbert Edward Ryle, London: Macmillan, 1928). J.C. Ryle’s successor as bishop of Liverpool from 1923-44, Albert A. David, was an ultra modernist who “saw it as his task to set minds and spirits free.” He supported euthanasia and brought in Unitarians to speak at Liverpool.

Consider the example of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM). It has been observed that fundamentalist churches that accept CCM soon change their separatist character, and this is because of the doctrinal corruption that is inherent in CCM. Those who do not separate from it are influenced by it.

The late Gordon Sears, who had an evangelistic music ministry for many years and ministered with Rudy Atwood, was saddened before his death by the dramatic change that was occurring in many fundamental Baptist churches. He warned: “When the standard of music is lowered, then the standard of dress is also lowered. When the standard of dress is lowered, then the standard of conduct is also lowered. When the standard of conduct is lowered, then the sense of value in God’s truth is lowered.”

Frank Garlock of Majesty Music warns, “If a church starts using CCM it will eventually lose all other standards” (Garlock, Bob Jones University Chapel, March 12, 2001).

The late fundamentalist leader Ernest Pickering gave a similar warning: “Perhaps nothing precipitates a slide toward New Evangelicalism more than the introduction of Contemporary Christian Music. This inevitably leads toward a gradual slide in other areas as well until the entire church is infiltrated by ideas and programs alien to the original position of the church.”

CCM is not just music; it is a doctrine; it is a philosophy of the Christian life. It is “rock and roll Christianity.” It is anti-fundamentalist, anti-separatist. It is charismatic and ecumenical in doctrine and practice, and when it comes, it brings its philosophy.

God warns His people to separate from false doctrine because of its corrupting influence, and the wise have ears to hear.

THE BASIS OF SEPARATION

The basis of separation is seen in verse 18. “Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.”

One man wrote to me and said, “You separate from everything you disagree with.” That is not true. I have a clear basis for separation, and it is described in the Bible. Consider the following points:

First, the basis of separation is much narrower than commonly thought.

The contemporary concept of fellowship is illustrated by Promise Keepers. They claim that only the “major” doctrines are important and “lesser” doctrines should not cause division. Those who speak at their events are not allowed to touch on controversial things. This has often been described as “essentials” and “non-essentials.”

“Some of the issues that should not be addressed: Eternal security, the gifts of the Spirit, baptism, Pretribulation or post-tribulation prophecy, sacraments or ordinances” (PK Ambassador booklet)

For the following reasons we know that this type of thinking is not Scriptural:

(1) True Christian unity requires oneness of mind (Rom. 15:5; 1 Cor. 1:10; Phil. 1:27). This is a very narrow basis of unity. True Christian unity is not “unity in doctrinal diversity.”

(2) In 1 Tim. 1:3, we see that our doctrinal position is to be extremely narrow. Timothy was to allow “no other doctrine”! A stricter stand toward doctrine could not be imagined.

(3) In 1 Tim. 6:14, Timothy was instructed to keep the apostolic doctrine “without spot.” That refers to the smallest things, the details, the things typically considered insignificant and “non-essential” today.

(4) In Christ’s Great Commission, the churches are instructed to train the converts “to observe ALL things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Mat. 28:20). This means the preachers are to have an “all things” attitude toward anything clearly taught in Scripture and they are to impart that exact attitude to every believer under their watchcare.

Consider, too, that many of the examples of separation in Scripture cover matters that typically fall into the category of “non-essential” today.

2 Timothy 2:18 is an example. The basis of separation in this situation was prophetic doctrine. Some were saying that the resurrection was past already. The false teachers were spiritualizing future events. This type of thing is widely thought to be a non-separation issue today, but we see that the apostle used it as a basis for separation. For example, the allegorical interpretation of prophecy is widespread today among “evangelicals” and “fundamentalists,” but this is contrary to the Word of God and I am convinced from 2 Tim. 2:18 that we should separate from those who hold this error.

In light of these clear Bible illustrations, I would rather err on the side of being too strict in doctrine than not strict enough. It is obvious that the Lord wants His people to be exceedingly strict in doctrine even while maintaining a gracious heart toward those who differ.

Second, there are many types of false doctrines mentioned in the New Testament.

Following are some of them:

(1) False doctrine pertaining to the doctrine of Christ (i.e., Colossians; 2 John). Examples of this today are the theological modernists who deny the supernatural Christ of the Bible, Jehovah’s Witnesses, who teach that Jesus is not God, Mormons, who teach that Jesus was ------, and Unitarians, who deny Christ’s deity.

(2) False teaching pertaining to the doctrine of salvation, the gospel (i.e., the book of Galatians). The Roman Catholic Church corrupts the gospel, as do all of the cults, such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Mormons, the Seventh-day Adventists, and the Church of Christ. All of these intermingle grace and works to produce a false gospel. “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work” (Rom. 11:6).

(3) False doctrine pertaining to the doctrine of godliness (i.e., 1 Tim. 6:3-5). Examples of this today are those who claim the believer is not required to separate from the world, that he is at liberty to look like the world, listen to the world’s sexy music, and party with the world, so long as he “loves the Lord.”

(4) False doctrine pertaining to church doctrine (i.e., 1 Tim. 3:15; 6:14). The apostle Paul stated that even church doctrine is to be kept without spot. God has given a pattern for the New Testament church and we have no authority to ignore or change it. For example, those who allow women preachers are disobeying the plain command of God in regard to the church (1 Tim. 2). Such disobedience should not be ignored by God’s people. We should separate from those who do such things.

Thus there are different kinds of false teachers. Some will pervert one doctrine; some another. The Roman Catholic Church, for example, holds to deity of Christ but is heretical in many other doctrines.

Third, all error should be avoided from but not all error is equally harmful.

There are “damnable heresies” (2 Pet. 2:1). This describes heresies that damn the soul to eternal hell. You can’t be saved if you hold to a damnable heresy. Another term for this is “fatal heresies,” referring to heresies that affect salvation itself.

2 Cor. 11:4 lists three broad categories of damnable heresies: false gospels, false christs, and false spirits.

Other examples of damnable heresies are as follows:

To deny the resurrection of Christ is damnable. Paul taught that you cannot be saved apart from the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:14).

To deny the virgin birth is damnable. If Jesus was not virgin born, He was a sinner; and if He was a sinner, He could not be our Savior. In 2001, I had a conversation with a student at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama, which is associated with the Southern Baptist Convention. In the chapel is a statue of Karl Barth, and he is held forth as one of the heroes of the faith, yet he denied the virgin birth. The student was guiding a tour of the multi-million dollar chapel, and after the tour was completed, I asked him why they would feature Barth, who denied the virgin birth. The student argued that one can be a Christian and not believe in the virgin birth, which simply is not true.

To deny the infallible inspiration of Holy Scripture is damnable. The Lord Jesus Christ taught the Scripture cannot be broken (Jn. 10:35) and the apostles taught all of it is given by inspiration (2 Tim. 3:16). The Bible is concluded with a solemn divine seal against taking away from or adding to it (Rev. 22:18-19). I believe that the questioning of the inspiration of Scripture is a damnable heresy, because the Scripture is very foundation of the Christian faith (Rom. 10:17).

The believer is not supposed to treat all false teachers the same. Those who deny the “cardinal doctrines” of the faith, such as those we have listed, are not saved and should not be treated as true brethren. Paul said those who corrupt the gospel are cursed of God (Gal. 1:7-8).

John said those who corrupt the doctrine of Christ should not even be greeted or allowed into our houses and should not be assisted in any fashion.

“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 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” (2 John 8-11).

This is how we should treat those who deny the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith and who demonstrate thereby that they are not true Christians.

This is not how we treat those who hold false doctrines of a lesser variety but who show evidence that they hold to the true gospel and the true Christ and the true Spirit.

The next point deals with how we should treat these.

Fourth, there is a separation even from true brethren when they are walking in disobedience (2 Thess. 3:6-15).

If we are commanded to separate from a brother over the issue of whether or not a man is working, surely we must separate from brethren over even larger issues of disobedience, such as refusing to obey separation.

Paul warned about Demas and his worldliness (2 Tim. 4). Would he not much more warn about something as grossly worldly as Christian rock?

Following are some examples of how this is applied today.

We should avoid New Evangelicals who refuse to practice separation: Examples are Billy Graham, Luis Palau, Bill Bright, Chuck Colson, and Chuck Swindoll.

We should avoid the Charismatic movement, because of the Charismatic’s commitment to errors about the Holy Spirit, ecumenism, etc.

We should avoid Christian Psychologists like James Dobson who preach a self-esteem message

We should avoid the Southern Baptist Convention, which refuses to deal with error in a biblical fashion (allowing compromisers such as Billy Graham and false teachers such as Jimmy Carter to remain in the churches) and which is permeated with New Evangelicalism and worldliness.

We should avoid CCM, which refuses to obey God’s commands to separate from the world, which is opposed to biblical fundamentalism, and which is permeated with charismatic error.

We must separate from men who are committed to such things because they have committed themselves to a path of error and are leading people astray by their doctrine and example.

Fifth, the time or point of separation is when a commitment is made to error.

That is the meaning of heresy--a willful choice of error.

When certain independent Baptist preachers made a commitment to Promise Keepers, in spite of being challenged about it, they became heretics and many of their brethren separated from them.

The same is true when a preacher chooses any other ecumenical path or makes a commitment to CCM or otherwise commits himself to a path of error.

Sixth, there can be separation even while there is Christian love and appreciation (Phil. 1:15-19).

The ecumenists say, “We will live together in heaven; we should be able to work together on earth.” That is not true, though. In heaven, we will be perfect. There will be no error or compromise in heaven, but there is plenty of it on earth and ever more so as we near the return of Christ.

In regard to this present life, God has plainly commanded us to separate from error and compromise. This does not mean, though, that we cannot love those with whom we differ. We can separate and love at the same time.

For example, I was not able to accept a preaching invitation by Bible Presbyterians in Singapore, because I cannot agree with doctrines such as infant baptism and covenant theology; but I still appreciate and love them in the Lord and I look forward to the day when we are no longer separated by differing doctrine.

Another example: Had I lived in the 1700s, I would not have worked with the Moravians, because of their infant baptism and other errors; but I am deeply appreciative of and challenged by their zeal for world evangelism. That was their glory.

The same is true for many Pentecostals. I was led to Christ by an old-fashioned Pentecostal and I praise the Lord for him and others like him and I count them brethren in Christ, though I cannot work with them because of our differing doctrines.

The same is true for neo-fundamentalists such as Jerry Falwell and the Baptist Bible Fellowship today. When I hear Jerry Falwell standing up boldly for Christ on Larry King’s television program and in other public forums, I am thankful for him and love him in the Lord, but I could not work with him because I am convinced he has determined to walk in a path of compromise and disobedience to the Bible.

THE WISDOM OF SEPARATION.

Next, we see the wisdom of separation. “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things” (2 Tim. 2:7). Separation requires divine wisdom. Separation is not a simple matter. At what point do we break fellowship? With what types of error do we draw the line of separation? These are not easy questions to answer, and the believer needs God’s wisdom and keen discernment and this comes only through a close obedient walk with Christ and a strong knowledge of God’s Word.

THE INITIATIVE OF SEPARATION

We see the initiative of separation in 2 Tim. 20-21. “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.” The believer himself is to take the initiate and not wait for the heretics to separate from him. This means that when I see a church making a commitment to error, I should leave it. People often write to me and make excuses for staying in a church that uses rock music, or that has women teachers, or that uses new versions, or has an unqualified pastor, or worldly youth leaders, etc. They tell me that they are staying in order to try to change the church. But the Bible says the attempt to change serious errors should be short lived (Titus 3:10).

THE PROPER ATTITUDE OF SEPARATION

Finally, we see the proper attitude of separation in 2 Tim. 2:24-26.

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”

The proper attitude is gentleness, patience, meekness. The late Evangelist Mel Rutter once exhorted me, “Be as strong as a rock in your position and as sweet as honey from the rock in your disposition.”

Please note that when the Bible says we are not to strive, this does not mean the believer is to avoid all conflict. In Acts 15:2 we see that the apostles had “no small dissension and disputation” in contending against error. There is a GOOD fight (1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7). Jude 3 says there is an earnest contention that is to be made for the truth. Yet, even when we are contending and fighting for the truth, we must maintain an attitude of gentleness and patience. The Lord’s battles are not won by the armor of the flesh, but by the power of the Spirit.

SOME OTHER PASSAGES ON SEPARATION

ROMANS 16:17-18 -- “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.”

1. This passage lists two requirements:

Mark those who teach false things. Plainly identify them. Name their names.

Avoid them. When we know who they are who are teaching false things, we are to separate from them.

2. The basis and standard for separation is the apostles’ doctrine. “…contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned” (v. 17). The standard for separation is not what the “church fathers” taught after the death of the apostles; it is not what the Protestants taught; it is not what great missionaries and evangelists have taught; it is not what great pastors such as Charles Spurgeon taught; it is not what fundamentalists of past and present teach and practice. The believer’s sole authority for faith and practice is the Scriptures.

3. False teachers are dangerous because of their clever words (v. 18). The “simple” are particularly in danger. Prov. 14:15 says the simple is one who “believeth every word.” This means he is gullible. He does not carefully test everything by the Word of God. He does not “prove all things” (1 Thess. 5:21).

4. Some have used this passage to teach against causing divisions among Christians. They turn the passage upon its head by saying that Paul is warning believers to avoid anyone who is divisive. This cannot be the meaning for the following reasons:

First, the most common interpretation among Bible-believing commentators historically has been to view the passage as a warning about false teachers in general who depart from the doctrine that has been given to us in the apostolic writings. Consider the following excerpts from various standard commentaries:

“MEN ARE DISTRACTED FROM THE UNITY OF THE TRUTH WHEN THE TRUTH OF GOD IS DESTROYED BY DOCTRINES OF HUMAN INVENTION. ... IT IS A SHAMELESS PIECE OF TRICKERY TO DEFEND A CONSPIRACY OF LYING AND GODLESS DOCTRINES UNDER THE PRETEXT OF PEACE AND UNITY. THE PAPISTS, THEREFORE, HAVE NO GROUNDS FOR USING THIS PASSAGE TO STIR UP ILL-WILL AGAINST US, FOR WE DO NOT ATTACK OR DESTROY THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, BUT THE FALSEHOODS OF THE DEVIL BY WHICH IT HAS HITHERTO BEEN OBSCURED. INDEED, PAUL CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THAT HE DOES NOT CONDEMN EVERY KIND OF DISAGREEMENT WITHOUT EXCEPTION, BUT ONLY THOSE WHICH DESTROY AGREEMENT OF THE ORTHODOX FAITH” (John Calvin, The Epistles of Paul the Apostle, Translated by Ross Mackenzie, c. 1650).

“You have been instructed in the true doctrine of Christ; and THERE ARE SOME THAT WOULD INNOVATE AND TEACH ANOTHER DOCTRINE, THAT BROACH OPINIONS THAT ARE CONTRARY, OR, AT LEAST, BESIDE THE DOCTRINE WHICH IS PURE AND APOSTOLICAL, and so make divisions and factions amongst you” (Matthew Poole, 1685).

“WHATEVER VARIES FROM THE FORM OF SOUND DOCTRINE WHICH WE HAVE IN THE SCRIPTURES OPENS A DOOR TO DIVISIONS AND OFFENCES. If truth be once deserted, unity and peace will not last long” (Matthew Henry, 1710).

“They profess to be apostles, but they are not apostles of Christ; they neither do His will NOR PREACH HIS DOCTRINE” (Adam Clarke, 1826).

“There were probably two evils in the apostle’s mind when he wrote this passage; THE DIVISIONS OCCASIONED BY ERRONEOUS DOCTRINES, and the offences or scandals occasioned by evil conduct of the false teachers. ... THE DESCRIPTION HERE GIVEN IS APPLICABLE, IN A GREAT DEGREE, TO ERRORISTS IN ALL AGES” (Charles Hodge, A Commentary on Romans, 1864).

“THE ARTICLE DENOTES THOSE ANTI-PAULINE DIVISIONS AND OFFENCES — i.e. temptations to DEPARTURE FROM THE TRUE CHRISTIAN FAITH AND LIFE, well known to the readers,—which at that time arose in so many quarters in Pauline churches, and might readily threaten the Romans also” (Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Epistle to the Romans, Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1876, p. 378).

“THE ‘DOCTRINE YE HAVE LEARNED’ IS THE PATTERN GIVEN IN THIS EPISTLE. APOSTOLIC TEACHING IS THE ONLY STANDARD OF COMPARISON. That teaching now found in the written word (Isa. 8:20). Divisions and offences are themselves contrary to that doctrine, and also are occasioned through departure from it. TRUTH UNITES BELIEVERS; ERROR SEPARATES THEM. Believers are capable of judging between truth and error” (Thomas Robinson, Studies in Romans, 1878).

“THE PRINCIPLE OF DIVINE REVELATION IS OPPOSED, WHEN ANYTHING IS ADDED ON HUMAN AUTHORITY. ... This canon of truth is stated more strongly at Gal. 1:8; and is also found in 1 John 2:20-27; 2 John 9; Jude 3. ... IT IS EQUALLY OPPOSED TO ALL DENIALS AND ALL ACCRETIVE DEVELOPMENTS OF THE ORIGINAL DEPOSIT OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE COMMITTED TO THE CHURCH OF CHRIST” (H.P. Liddon, Explanatory Analysis of St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1893).

“Something occurred before the letter to the Romans was concluded and dispatched to make St. Paul insert A FINAL WARNING AGAINST FALSE TEACHERS, who were causing divisions and perverting the gospel as all Christians had at first received it, in the interests of their personal aggrandizement” (Charles Gore, St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, London: John Murray, 1900).

“IT IS NOT, HOWEVER, AS NECESSARY TO KNOW THEIR HISTORIC SETTING, AS TO TAKE THE MORAL LESSON HERE, AND TO DISCERN SUCH CHARACTERS, WHATEVER THEY BE, IN OUR OWN DAY AMONG THE SAINTS; AND TURN AWAY FROM THEM. THE INABILITY TO TURN RESOLUTELY AND HOLILY AWAY FROM FALSE TEACHERS AND EVIL WORKERS, IS A MARK OF SPIRITUAL ILL-HEALTH, DECADENCE, AND POSSIBLY OF THE STATE OF SPIRITUAL DEATH ITSELF! Mad dogs are shot; infectious diseases are quarantined; but evil teachers who would divide to their destruction and draw away the saints with teaching contrary to the doctrine of Christ and His Apostles are everywhere tolerated! How ghastly and ruinous is this false toleration! Let us take heed lest we ‘partake in the evil deeds’ of such evil workers! Remember II John 9,10,11” (William R. Newell, Romans Verse by Verse, Moody Press, 1938).

“Though he warns the Roman saints of the danger of listening to men of this type he lets them know that he has only heard good things of them, but he is jealous that they should maintain their excellent record. ALAS, HOW SOON DID THIS VERY CHURCH OPEN ITS DOORS TO JUST SUCH FALSE TEACHERS AS HE WARNED THEM AGAINST, AND SO BY THE SEVENTH CENTURY YOU HAVE THE PAPACY ITSELF ENTHRONED IN ROME!” (Harry Ironside, Romans, New York: Loizeaux Brothers, 1949).

“After Paul has, in verses 17-20, GIVEN WARNING AGAINST FALSE TEACHERS who might creep into the church and by fair words turn it away from Christ…” (Anders Nygren, Commentary on Romans, London: SCM Press, 1952).

“...just before he finishes, HE GIVES ONE DEFINITE AND DIRECT WARNING AGAINST FALSE TEACHERS. We need not suppose that these agitators and false teachers had actually invaded the Roman scene. Probably they had not. If they had we would expect direct encounter with them in the body of the epistle, as, for example, in the epistles to the Galatians and Colossians. But Paul was well aware of the existence of these heretics and, if their propaganda had not reached Rome, there was good ground for fear that the danger was impending. ... The trouble-makers are by some regarded as antinomian libertines, by others as Judaizing zealots. ... WE HAVE HERE FALSE TEACHERS AND PROPAGANDISTS. ... HENCE THE STUMBLING IS THAT CAUSED BY FALSE DOCTRINE AND FALLS INTO THE CATEGORY OF THE ERROR ANATHEMATIZED IN GALATIANS. ... These teachers were skilled in the artful device of ‘smooth and fair speech’, a common feature of those who corrupt the purity and simplicity of the gospel” (John Murray, The Epistle to the Romans, Eerdmans, 1959).

“These men to be avoided cause divisions contrary to the doctrines which Paul has set forth in this epistle. REJECTORS OF THE DOCTRINES OF THE GOSPEL WE ARE TO REJECT” (Ian Paisley, An Exposition of the Epistle to the Romans, Belfast: Martyrs Memorial Free Presbyterian Church, 1968).

“IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO BELIEVE THAT THEY WERE ALL OF ONE KIND. SOME MAY HAVE BEEN LEGALISTS (JUDAIZERS), OTHERS ANTINOMIANS OR PERHAPS ASCETICS, or advocates of a combination of two or more DISRUPTIVE ISMS” (William Hendriksen, Romans, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1980).

Second, if the passage is speaking of a sin of divisiveness, it is definitely not referring to divisiveness in general. The Bible states that not all division is wrong.

Christ said that He came to bring division (Lk. 12:51-53).

The truth always creates divisions (Acts 15:1-2). Those who preach the truth will be divided from those who preach error. Those who love righteousness will be divided from those who love sin. We are commanded to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3). Contention causes divisions.

Many godly men since the days of the apostles have made divisions among Christians because of the truth and have been charged with divisiveness, but they were not wrong and their actions do not fall under the condemnation of Romans 16:17. John Tombes is one of a multitude of men who have made divisions from time to time by their stand against infant baptism, for example. Tombes was a minister in a church in England in the 17th century, but when he began preaching and writing against infant baptism, he was dismissed from his pulpit and charged with being a man of a “restless spirit” and with creating divisions and confusion (Joseph Ivimey, A History of the English Baptists, vol. i, p. 183). Was Tombes doing an evil thing by causing division because of baptism? By no means; he was obeying Jude 3 and earnestly contending for the faith once delivered unto the saints.

Therefore, if Romans 16:17 is referring to a sin of divisiveness, it is the sin of IMPROPER divisiveness produced by false teaching and personality conflict or some other such thing. It is definitely not condemning the man who stands uncompromisingly for the truth of the Word of God and who, as a result, causes division and trouble. If that were the case, it would be criticizing the Apostle Paul Himself—yea, even the Lord Jesus Christ!

2 CORINTHIANS 6:14-18 -- “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”

This passage has many applications:

1. It forbids Bible believers to associate with professing Christians who teach demonic doctrines, such as denying Christ or perverting the gospel. The Bible teaches that they worship a false Christ and their doctrine is of devils (2 Cor. 11:4; 1 Tim. 4:1).

Some examples of this are as follows:

* Ecumenical alliances such as the National Council of Churches, the World Council of Churches, the Baptist World Alliance, etc.

* Denominational alliances by which Bible believing churches are yoked together with unbelieving modernists and such.

* Evangelistic crusades, such as those operated by Billy Graham and Luis Palau, whereby Bible believers are associated with Romanists, unbelieving modernists, and such.

2. It forbids a believer to marry an unbeliever or one who holds to a false type of Christianity, such as Roman Catholicism or Mormonism.

3. It forbids business partnerships with unbelievers. Many Christians have gotten themselves into trouble by ignoring this commandment.

EPHESIANS 5:11 -- “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”

This is a far-reaching command of separation. It applies to separation from sinful things as well as separation from false things. Anything that is a work of darkness is to be avoided.

The believer’s responsibility is not only to avoid evil things but also to reprove them. Proper reproof is not unloving, because biblical reproof is light that gives the unbelieving and disobedient an opportunity to realize their error and repent of it.

1 TIMOTHY 6:3-5 -- “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: FROM SUCH WITHDRAW THYSELF.”

This passage refers to the doctrine of godliness. This doctrine is taught throughout the New Testament. Jesus died not merely so the believer can go to heaven when he dies. He died to make us holy in this world. “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Tit. 2:14).

Though we are saved by grace alone, that grace teaches the believer to live righteously. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Tit. 2:11-12).

The false teachers that Paul was warning about in this passage teach that Christians are not bound by laws and rules, that this is “legalism.”

Some modern examples of this are as follows:

The modernistic Protestant denominations that are aligned with the World Council of Churches. Typically they refuse to preach plainly against sin and claim that Christians are free from such restrictions. As a result, adultery, divorce, homosexuality, and such are as prominent in these denominations as in the world at large.

Rock and roll Christianity. The old rock star Alice Cooper claims to be saved, but he says he still loves rock and roll and he still performs sensual rock concerts that feature immodestly clad women and other ungodly things.

New Evangelicalism. Students in schools such as Wheaton College are not separated from the world; they dress like the world, listen to same music as the world, dance, drink, etc. They call fundamentalists “legalists” and “Pharisees.” Their favorite verses are Matthew 7:1 and Rom. 14:4, though their interpretation of the verses is a twisted one that ignores the immediate and far context.

The Charismatic Movement. The same is true for the average Charismatic church. There is little or no separation from the world.

Second, God commands separation from those who deny the doctrine of godliness (v. 5). The Bible believer is to take the initiative in separation.

The last clause in verse 5 is omitted from the modern versions that are based upon the critical Greek text, even though it is found in the majority of extant Greek manuscripts.

The doctrine of separation is found in other passages in these Bibles but not the exact type of separation described in this passage.

2 TIMOTHY 3:5 -- “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

2 Timothy 3-4 describes the apostasy of the last days:

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Tim. 3:1-5).

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Tim. 4:3-4).

There is a clear command to separate from those who are committed to the apostasy described in this passage.

The power of godliness is the gospel (Rom. 1:16) and the Scriptures (Heb. 4:12). Both are widely denied among professing Christians today. They undermine the power of the gospel by such things as baptismal regeneration, sacramentalism, and mixing grace and works. They undermine the power of the Scripture in a multitude of ways, such as by claiming that the Bible has errors or by adding their tradition to the Scripture.

2 JOHN 7-11 -- “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 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.”

God commands strict separation from those who teach “fatal error” (v. 10). By this, we mean error that would corrupt the Christian faith itself and which damns the soul to eternal hell.

These false teachers pervert the doctrine of Christ. Modern examples are cults such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, which deny that Jesus is God, and theological modernists who deny the Lord’s virgin birth, miracles, and resurrection.

The Bible warns that a believer can lose his reward by associating with error (vv. 8, 11).

CONCLUSION

1. The rejection of separation is a slippery slope (1 Cor. 5:6; 15:33).

Harold Lindsell testified that within 10 years of rejecting separatism, New Evangelicalism was infiltrated by theological modernism and unbelief. Many fundamentalists today are on the same downward path.

This is why I try to warn about error within fundamentalist and Bible-believing churches. If error is not stopped early, it cannot be stopped at all.

2. We must educate ourselves, our churches, and our families. The N.T. epistles deal constantly with error, and this is the divine pattern for the ministry. Yet, many Bible-believing churches rarely if ever warn plainly about false doctrine and compromise, and they do not appreciate or make use of ministries that do warn of these things.

3. We must not fear being in the minority. Truth has always been in the minority. The Lord Jesus warned, “When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). He likened the church age to leaven hidden in a loaf “until the whole was leavened” (Matt. 13:33). This refers to the spread of apostasy. At the end of the church age, there will be few true churches and many false ones.

4. Separation is important, but it is not an end in itself.

The Great Commission is not separation; it is evangelism and church planting; but separation is a wall of protection around God’s work so that it does not become corrupted by error.