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Fundamental
Evangelistic Association
selected
articles from:
©FOUNDATION
A MAGAZINE OF BIBLICAL FUNDAMENTALISM
Dennis W. Costella, Editor; Karel Beyer, Production Manager; Matt
Costella,
Copy Editor
M.H. Reynolds, Jr. (1919-1997), Founding Editor
Now We Command You, Brethren ...
©FOUNDATION Magazine
Editorial, July-Aug 2002
The
Fundamentalists in the early part of the previous century
were known as separatists. They took seriously the Lord's commandments
concerning His church and acceptable ministry. They battled false
teaching and liberalism, and, as a result, they exposed and opposed that
error. They came out of their denominations. They separated themselves
from any identification with those who had chosen a course of
disobedience to the Word of God. They were "separatists" in the true,
Biblical sense of the word. But, sadly, today we regularly hear from
ones, or hear of ones, who claim the name "fundamental" or
"conservative" but who clearly lack an even rudimentary grasp of the
principles of Biblical separation
and how those principles need to be applied to their fellowships with
men and movements. Most today associate separation with a former era of
combative Fundamentalism, and now, they say, the battle is over. God's
command to withdraw or separate from error and the errant no longer
seems to be an essential to faithful ministry in the "enlightened," more
civil and more politically correct present.
However, the Bible still speaks with ringing clarity:
"Now we command You [apostolic imperative], brethren, in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves [separate] from every
brother that walketh disorderly [out of step with sound doctrine in
belief and practice], and not after the tradition which he received of
us [inspired, apostolic instruction delivered to the church] " (2 Thess.
3:6). This command is supremely authoritative, for the "tradition" (cf.
2 Thess. 2:1 5) to which this text refers is the conveyance of absolute
Truth, received by the writers of the New Testament Scriptures by the
miracle of inspiration and then faithfully delivered to, and circulated
among, the churches. We must ever keep in mind that the apostolic
instruction we have in the Written Word is, in fact, the very
commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ! Notice the apostle's words: "We
beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have
received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God [that just about
covers every aspect of our Christian service!], so ye would abound more
and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus"
(1 Thess. 4:1-2 cf. 2:13; 2 Pet. 3:1-2; 1 Jn. 4:6). These exhortations
given to the church are not merely the musings and suggestions of the
apostles. They are the inspired commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and these commandments necessarily include what is written regarding the
doctrine of separation.
While the principles of separation set forth in God's
Word are often accompanied by examples drawn from the early church
experience, these principles are still the commandments of the Lord and
must be applied in ministry today if we are to know how to minister, how
to "walk and to please God" in the 21st century as well. Search out- the
principles of separation from texts such as Acts 20:26-3 1; Romans
16:17; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17: 1; Eph. 5:1 1; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; 2 Timothy
2:15-22 and 2 John 6-11, to mention only a few. Sound doctrine believed
and obeyed is the standard for determining what is allowable fellowship
in any common ministry and service we may have with others, even
"brethren." Again, remember, "the things that I [the apostle] write unto
you are the commandments of the Lord" (1 Cor. 14:37). Brethren, this is
serious business.
D.W. Costella
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