Sound The Trumpet

Separation is definitely a subject which will cause a fight. Anyone who is a proponent of Biblical separation is vilified. After all, we must be tolerant of everything except Biblical standards. We have been looking at the standards we should see in the local church. One of those standards you should look for is the Biblical standard of Separation.

Since the mid 1950's, there has been a growing cancer among Bible believers. That cancer is the ignoring of the doctrine of Ecclesiastical Separation. As believers, we should be willing to deliver the Gospel of Christ to an unbeliever at any moment's notice. However, in delivering the Gospel, we cannot compromise our standards. God is not pleased when we sin to do something, even if we are doing something that would otherwise be right.

As a Bible-based church, we must adhere to the Word of God in all matters of faith and practice. We are called out of the world.

God gives us a clear command here. We are not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. Someone who believes they can be saved by any work is one who does not believe. One who ignores the Word of God in their practice of worship is likely an unbeliever. One who worships idols or dead believers (such as Mary) is not a believer! Yet, in the ecumenical movement, we often see the practice of many different churches coming together in solidarity to work and worship together. In the rare event that someone should feel the movement of God in their life, who deals with them? A Jehovah's Witness who will teach them damnable heresies? A Mormon who will teach them to ignore the Bible in favor of another revelation which is not a revelation of God? A Catholic who will teach them to pray to dead saints while they keep Jesus hanging on the cross? Perhaps the tender heart will be lead to a compromiser who claims to be a Baptist yet believes the Blood of Christ is no different than the blood of man? These are all manifestations of doctrines and beliefs which lead countless souls to Hell. Still, there are some who are genuinely saved who will participate in and support the ecumenical movement. As you look for a church, you should flee from a church which participates in this hellish practice.

Ecumenism is visible in many different ways. You can clearly see it in major gatherings such as the Promise Keepers where all of these different churches come together. But you don't need to see a major meeting to see evidence of this cancer in a church. This cancer can also be seen in the music of a church. Does the church use the contemporary music? I am speaking of music where the artists are also participants in this movement. Or, where the musicians the church uses travel to churches of many different denominations. Are these musicians just as comfortable in a Church of God as they are in a Baptist church?

Does the staff of the church participate in local non-denominational meetings or fellowships? Please, do not misunderstand. I am not claiming that one church cannot work or fellowship with another church. However, if one church is going to work of fellowship with another church, they must both be solid, Bible-believing churches. Would you want someone ministering to your children if their practices proved they did not believe the Word of God?