A stranger and Pilgrim
Member
Biblical separation is a topic that often does not receive the attention it deserves, given its prevalence in the Bible. There are numerous references in both the Old and New Testaments that deal with this subject. While I will only list a few found in the New Testament, the Old Testament is abundant with the idea of not listening to false prophets, among other things.
Many of the references I have listed pertain to separating from false teachers, false brethren, and Christians who are living in sin. The verse that has always caused me much confusion is Romans 16:17, which I have quoted above.
The Apostle Paul urges us to mark and avoid those who deviate from his doctrine and thereby cause others to sin. Therefore, this admonition is for us to steer clear of false teachers. It is my understanding that one can be a false teacher and still be a true Christian. However, many Christians teach false doctrine, which leads others into sin.
The Book of Romans covers a wide range of doctrine. Does this mean that we should avoid any teacher who does not align with what the Apostle Paul teaches in the Book of Romans and his other epistles? I am curious to hear others' thoughts on this issue and how they have applied it.
Avoiding false teachers is crucial because false doctrine can lead us into sin and away from God. It can also weaken and hinder our effectiveness in our Christian life.
Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. [Rom 16:17 NKJV]
I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.
But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner--not even to eat with such a person. [1Co 5:9-11 NKJV]
But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. [2Th 3:6 NKJV]
And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. [2Th 3:14 NKJV]
If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a [means of] gain. From such withdraw yourself. [1Ti 6:3-5 NKJV]
having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! [2Ti 3:5 NKJV]
Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, [Tit 3:10 NKJV]
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. [2Jo 1:10-11 NKJV]
Many of the references I have listed pertain to separating from false teachers, false brethren, and Christians who are living in sin. The verse that has always caused me much confusion is Romans 16:17, which I have quoted above.
The Apostle Paul urges us to mark and avoid those who deviate from his doctrine and thereby cause others to sin. Therefore, this admonition is for us to steer clear of false teachers. It is my understanding that one can be a false teacher and still be a true Christian. However, many Christians teach false doctrine, which leads others into sin.
The Book of Romans covers a wide range of doctrine. Does this mean that we should avoid any teacher who does not align with what the Apostle Paul teaches in the Book of Romans and his other epistles? I am curious to hear others' thoughts on this issue and how they have applied it.
Avoiding false teachers is crucial because false doctrine can lead us into sin and away from God. It can also weaken and hinder our effectiveness in our Christian life.
Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. [Rom 16:17 NKJV]
I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.
But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner--not even to eat with such a person. [1Co 5:9-11 NKJV]
But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. [2Th 3:6 NKJV]
And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. [2Th 3:14 NKJV]
If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a [means of] gain. From such withdraw yourself. [1Ti 6:3-5 NKJV]
having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! [2Ti 3:5 NKJV]
Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, [Tit 3:10 NKJV]
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. [2Jo 1:10-11 NKJV]