Of Separation

Martyrs Mirror in Modern English

Of the True Church of God, Its Origin, Progress, and Immovable Stability, Through All Times

Of Separation

Separation, or the putting away from the church, is a decree or sentence of the church itself, by virtue and authority of the Word of God, against a member, or members, of the church, who, through open sin, a scandalous life, heresy, or stubbornness, have separated themselves from God and the fellowship of Jesus Christ, and no longer belong in Christ's kingdom, or to His church; therefore their brotherhood, or sisterhood, is renounced, by virtue of the Word of God, in the name of the whole church. First Corinthians 5, verse 3; Matthew 18, verse 18; First Corinthians 5, verse 1; Romans 16, verse 17; Titus 3; Matthew 18, verse 17; Isaiah 59; Titus 1, verse 16; First Corinthians 6, verse 9; Galatians 5, verse 21; First Corinthians 5, verse 12; Second Corinthians 2, verse 8.

The reasons for which this is done, and to which the church must have regard in the separation, are chiefly these: (1) to show that her doctrine by no means permits such sins, but is wholly opposed to them; that, by so doing, the doctrine may be preserved pure, and the name of God glorified. First Timothy 1, verse 20; Titus 1, verse 13; Second Timothy 4, verses 15 and 23; (2) through separation to prove in fact that she is the enemy of sin, and will in no way tolerate it, so that every cause of reproach to the church may be averted. First Corinthians 5, verses 1 and 2; Titus 2, verse 8; (3) that the good may not, through constant association and fellowship with the evil, become leavened or corrupted. First Corinthians 5, verse 7; Second Timothy 2, verse 17; (4) that the sinner, through excommunication and withdrawal, may be convicted in his conscience, and moved to shame and reformation, so that he may be saved. Second Thessalonians 3; First Corinthians 5, verse 5; and (5) that others, by hearing and seeing this, may be admonished, so that they will fear to follow such evil.

But when the separated sinner shows genuine fruits of repentance, we must at all times be ready to receive him again in peace into the Christian communion of the church, if he earnestly requests it. Second Corinthians 2.