SEPARATION
A. Positional. We believe that each believer has been positionally separated from Adam unto God by virtue of being in Christ (John 17:14,16,21-23).
B. Experiential. We believe that separation is the human side of sanctification. Separation is always unto God from something and automatically accompanies growth in grace. (Psalm 97:10) The believer is told to separate from religious apostasy and false teaching. (2 Tim. 3:1-5; 2 John 9-10; Rom. 16:17) The believer is to separate from worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations. (Rom. 12:1-2; 14:13; Eph. 5:11; 1 John 2:15-17; 1 Pet. 4:3-4; 1 Corinthians 6:14-7:1.) God encourages separation by promising special felicity to the faithful (2 Corinthians 6:17-18). We believe that separation from sin is clearly called for throughout the Old and New Testaments, and that the Scriptures clearly indicate that in the last days apostasy and worldliness shall increase (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5). We believe that out of deep gratitude for the undeserved grace of God granted to us and because our glorious God is so worthy of our total consecration, that all the saved should live in such a manner as to demonstrate our adoring love to God and so as not to bring reproach upon our Lord and Savior (2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Ephesians 4:1-3; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Corinthians 10:31).
C. In seeking to strike a biblical balance regarding ministry and ecclesiastical separation, it is our understanding that believers need to…
1) mark and avoid false teachers who would seek to infiltrate or influence our local assembly (Romans 16:17-18; Acts 20:28-32; 1 Timothy 6:20-21).
2) refuse to approve of, minister with, or financially support churches or ministries that reject or distort the truths of the Word of God (2 John 7-11).
3) seek to minister to (by way of sound teaching and materials) the doctrinally confused or those in error who are open to grace teaching and where there is reason to believe that an individual or congregation may be helped by such a ministry to become more biblical in belief and practice, as long as we are not restricted in our message or asked to compromise our doctrinal position (Titus 3:10; 2 Timothy 2:22-26; Acts 19:8-10).
4) resist a prolonged personal ministry to individuals or groups if there is evidence that they intend to retain their compromised spiritual state or their relations with apostate organizations (2 Timothy 2:15-21).
5) seek to support, encourage and fellowship with other individuals, churches or ministries of like-precious faith around the Word of God, yet without entering into any official organizational unity (3 John 5-8).
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