QUESTION:
If we profess to meet on the ground of the one body, why do we take a position of separation from all other members of the body, and not break bread with them? It seems totally inconsistent with New Testament truth, which presents the Christian community as being one happy family that walks together in love. The Bible teaches that we should walk together in happy unity with our brethren, not separate ourselves from them.
Answer:
The problem here is that the person who asks this question hasn’t considered where we are in Church history. Seven of the eight New Testament writers tell us that in the latter times there would be a great departure by the masses from “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Acts 20:29-3029For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (Acts 20:29‑30); 1 Tim. 4:1; 21Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1 Timothy 4:1)
1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (1 Timothy 2:1) Tim. 3:1-5; 4:3-4; Jude 3-43Beloved, 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. 4For 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. (Jude 3‑4)). It is important, therefore, to have an understanding of the times, and to know the character of the day in which we live. We are not in Pentecostal days, or even in times of great revival; we are in “the last days” of the Church’s history on earth (2 Tim. 3:11This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1)), and there is an irremediable ruin in the Christian testimony.
The Second Epistles Insist on Separation in a Day of Ruin
Having established this fact, I would hasten to say that God certainly desires that all His people would walk together practically on earth as one happy family. But, He has also told us that when the Christian testimony would corrupt itself, and ruin would come in, that we are to apply the truth of the New Testament in the modifications given to us in the second epistles. These epistles deal with the ruin that would come into the Christian profession and how to order the believer’s path in relation to it.
There are two things that are prominent in each of the second epistles: firstly, the evidence of departure in some way from true Christianity—either in doctrine or in practice. Secondly, there is the insisting on the believer’s need to separate himself from the corruption and the error that has come in—not just individually, but also collectively.
The second epistle to the Corinthians deals with a worldly movement among them that was corrupting their doctrine and practice. The answer is, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing” (2 Cor. 6:1717Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (2 Corinthians 6:17)).
The second epistle to the Thessalonians deals with a movement which had come in that denied the Lord’s coming and other eschatological (prophetic) events, and it was having a serious negative effect on their walk. The answer is, “Withdraw from every brother walking disorderly and not according to the instruction which he received from us” (2 Thess. 3:66Now 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. (2 Thessalonians 3:6)).
The second epistle to Timothy deals with erroneous doctrinal teachings and profane corruptions that would come into the house of God. The word there is, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord withdraw from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also wooden and earthen; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If therefore one shall have purified himself from these in separating himself from them, he shall be a vessel to honour, sanctified, serviceable to the Master” (2 Tim. 2:19-21).
The second epistle of Peter deals with the inevitable departure from practical godliness in the Christian testimony and warns believers not to be “led away [along with] the error of the wicked” by keeping themselves clear of it (2 Peter 3:17).
The second epistle of John deals with the seriousness of letting go of the doctrine of Christ’s Person. It enjoins us to keep ourselves separate from those who teach such things—so much so, that we are not even to receive them into our homes. In fact, we are told to not even “greet” such people (2 John 8-118Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9Whosoever 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. 10If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (2 John 8‑11)).
The person who asks this question regarding separation is reading his or her Bible without reference to the second epistles. Let us say again, that God desires all the members of the body of Christ to be together in practical fellowship (Eph. 4:1-161I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:1‑16)). It is His ideal. But since ruin is everywhere in the Christian testimony, God’s Word (in the second epistles) indicates that we are to take a position of separation from the disorder. Second Timothy 2:19-21 is particularly helpful in guiding us in these difficult days in this regard. It indicates that we are to dissociate ourselves from everything in the house of God (the Christian profession) that is tainted with error by withdrawing from it. This would take in any kind of error—doctrinal, moral, or ecclesiastical. Hence, practising the truth collectively—as meeting together for worship and ministry—with all the members of the body of Christ, is not possible today. This is because many are ignorant of the true ground of gathering, or if they do know it they're not willing to practice it, or they are engaged in some form of evil doctrine or practice with which we are not to have fellowship with.
As mentioned, the second epistles anticipate the ruin of the public testimony of the Church and give certain instructions that modify the application of the principles given in the teaching of the other epistles. It is not that God’s Word contradicts itself, but rather, that another course of action must be followed since ruin is upon us. To illustrate this point, suppose you worked in a large plant or factory where there were specific directions to be followed in your normal job function; but if certain problems arose, you were given a different set of directions to follow in that emergency. In like manner, this is what Scripture teaches in the second epistles in regard to the day of ruin.
The second epistles do not set aside the truth in the other epistles, but they alter the course of the believer in the application of those truths. All the truth of God can still be practiced today, but it must be practiced in separation from the confusion. For example, we must view the truth in Ephesians 4, concerning the keeping of "the unity of the Spirit" with the members of the "one body" of Christ, through the "porthole" of 2nd Timothy—that is, from the perspective of the ruin that has come into the Christian testimony. We can still meet on the ground of the one body and practice that truth, but we just can’t do it today with all the members of the body, as God originally intended.
The Right Attitude in Separation—Humiliation
Having taken this position of separation in the house of God, we have to guard at all times against pride rising up in our hearts. We must be careful not to have an attitude of being better or more faithful than those from whom we have separated. The Lord will not identify with a “holier than thou” attitude (Isa. 65:55Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. (Isaiah 65:5)). The right attitude is that of humiliation. J. N. Darby said, “If anyone speaks of separation from evil, without being humiliated, let him take care lest his position becomes simply only that which at all times has constituted sects.” The right spirit in purging oneself from the confusion in the house of God involves self-judgment, not self-righteousness.
Separation within the house of God is a painful thing because it has to do with separating from many true believers who are unconcerned about their associations with the corruption. It should tear at our hearts to have to do this because we love all of our brethren. However, obedience to God’s Word must have precedence over all of our personal preferences. In fact, obedience of this kind is actually a proof of our love for our brethren. “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments” (1 John 5:22By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. (1 John 5:2)). Those gathered unto the Lord’s name take this position of separation in Christendom because it is in accordance with God’s Word.
Many think that the answer is to stay in the confusion and try to repair the errors in Christendom, but this is clearly not according to God’s Word. When “tares” were introduced among the wheat, creating confusion in the field, the householder told his servants to not attempt to fix the problem, but to wait “until the harvest”—which is “the completion of the age”—then it would be sorted out by the Lord Himself (Matt. 13:24-3024Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. (Matthew 13:24‑30)). Thankfully, the Lord has not laid that “burden” upon His people (Rev. 2:24-2524But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. 25But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. (Revelation 2:24‑25)). The answer is to keep oneself clear of the confusion and error by separating from it. Second Timothy 2:22 indicates that after separating from the confusion in the house, God will give us some with whom we can walk in this path of separation. This is what those who are gathered to the Lord’s name are doing when they meet together for worship and ministry in separation. They seek to practice all the truth of God, but because of certain modifying factors in the second epistles they can’t do it with all the members of the body, as God originally intended. Hence, the gathered saints would love to break bread with all of their fellow brethren in the body of Christ, but there are certain qualifying things that preclude this. Namely, people must be sound in doctrine and godly in practice before they can break bread at the Lord's Table. If some profess to be believers but will not separate from evil (2 Tim. 2:1919Nevertheless 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. (2 Timothy 2:19)), we cannot break bread with them.
We know a dear sister in the Lord whose church denomination is in an upheaval. The minister denies the inspiration of Scripture, the virgin birth of Christ, and the resurrection of Christ. He also teaches that there are many ways to be saved, and supports gay marriage in the church, and has also left his wife. We told her that the Word of God indicates that she should separate from this disorder, but she thinks that she would be unfaithful to depart having been with that church denomination all of her life. But all the while she remains there, she becomes more and more vexed and frustrated. The answer is to separate; it is God’s expressed will in a day of ruin. If she did this, it might exercise others there to separate as well, but remaining in fellowship with this confusion and error negates any power in individual testimony that she could hope to have. What she is doing may be loving and well meaning, but it is not God’s path for the believer who desires to be faithful.
Summary:
The “gathered saints” occupy a position of separation from the religious confusion and error in Christendom because the Word of God (the second epistles) enjoins us to do so. It is the only Scriptural position to take when the ruin of the Christian testimony is irremediable.