The Doctrine of Separation<<<

[Charnock]

May we discuss the doctrine of separation in broad terms on this thread instead of focusing on the minutia we normally debate?

A couple questions.

1. What scriptures were used to develop the doctrine?
2. Is the doctrine present in both testaments.

[Jason B]

I believe the concept is certainly scriptural. Of course it is completely misunderstood, redefined, and misapplied in oneness pentecostalism. But again, I think it is quite obvious that seperation fromt he world is a scriptural principle.

I would also add, that seperation manifests itself in lifestyle, not in being afraid of the world, of which Jesus showed us perfectly, he was holy and separate from sinners, yet there were no limits that He wouldn't go beyond to reach the sinner and show them the love of God. HOWEVER, He never stooped to the level of sin or worldliness to "relate".

I think we can minister to sinners, reach out to sinners, and reach sinners, without involving ourselves in their lifestyles, their language, or worldy culture.

In broad terms, the Bible most certainly teaches separation.

[MissBrattified]

I would say that it mostly hinges on this passage (containing the key phrase):

II 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."


Ezra 10:10-12

"And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel. Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives. Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do."



Without making any specific applications, I would say that the idea that we should separate ourselves from sin is a biblical concept illustrated, if not specified, in both Testaments.

[Charnock]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I would say that it mostly hinges on this passage (containing the key phrase):

II 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."


What does "yoked" mean?

Ezra 10:10-12

"And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel. Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives. Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do."

MissB, I think that passage is specific to the marriage issue.



Without making any specific applications, I would say that the idea that we should separate ourselves from sin is a biblical concept illustrated, if not specified, in both Testaments.

Interesting.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I would say that it mostly hinges on this passage (containing the key phrase):

II 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."


What does "yoked" mean?

Think Oxen

Ezra 10:10-12

"And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel. Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives. Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do."

MissB, I think that passage is specific to the marriage issue.



And that was one way that they were separate from other people

Without making any specific applications, I would say that the idea that we should separate ourselves from sin is a biblical concept illustrated, if not specified, in both Testaments.

Interesting.

indeed

[mizpeh]

Be ye holy for I am holy is another scripture found in both testaments that would apply to this discussion as well. Lev 11:44, 1 Peter 1:15-16

We must be set apart for the Master's use like the holy consecrated vessels of the tabernacle were.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

Be ye holy for I am holy is another scripture found in both testaments that would apply to this discussion as well. Lev 11:44, 1 Peter 1:15-16

We must be set apart for the Master's use like the holy consecrated vessels of the tabernacle were.

I Peter 1:15 "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;"

Conversation - anastrophē - behavior: - conversation.

Separated by behavior.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Charnock

What does "yoked" mean?

From Strong's -

...to yoke up differently, that is, (figuratively) to associate discordantly: - unequally yoke together with.

Originally Posted by Charnock

MissB, I think that passage is specific to the marriage issue.

Sure, it was specifically addressing marriage. No argument there. That's why I said "the idea of." However, it's interesting that separation from the "strange wives" wasn't the only requirement; not only were the men required to put away their wives, but separation from the people of the land was required as well. Why?

Ezra 10:11 Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.

[MissBrattified]

I like this passage from the Good News Bible:


Exodus 33:14 The LORD said, "I will go with you, and I will give you victory."
Exodus 33:15 Moses replied, "If you do not go with us, don't make us leave this place.
Exodus 33:16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with your people and with me if you do not go with us? Your presence with us will distinguish us from any other people on earth."
Exodus 33:17 The LORD said to Moses, "I will do just as you have asked, because I know you very well and I am pleased with you."

This passage is talking about a natural separation that occurs (and should occur) when we belong to God. That lends credence to the concept that we don't have to strive to be separated for the sake of being separated; God's presence will "distinguish us."

IMO, when we obey God's laws and we are filled with His Spirit, there will be a natural separation that occurs--separation from sin, and separation from "worldliness", e.g., having the mindset of an unbeliever. There will be a marked distinction between those who have the mind of Christ and those who don't. There will also be an obvious distinction between those who walk after the Spirit and those who walk after the flesh. You don't have to manipulate or fabricate that distinction; it occurs naturally.

The specific "application" of standards of separation is where people have gone astray, because they are trying to fabricate a visible distinction that should occur naturally by being filled with the Spirit and walking after the Spirit.

[CC1]

Originally Posted by Charnock

May we discuss the doctrine of separation in broad terms on this thread instead of focusing on the minutia we normally debate?

No.