Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 10/18/2007

Question
Hi Pastor,

I have heard a lot about separation from different Baptist ministers. But these same ministers talk about the great heroes of the faith, such as John Calvin, John Wesley, Jonathan Edwards, Martin Luther, John Wyclif, etc. Yet all these men were not Baptists, so if Baptists are supposed to separate from all non-Baptists then why are these men considered to be heroes of the faith. It appears to be contradictory. Aren't all believers, who are saved by faith through grace, members of God's Elect? Didn't Jesus say that he wanted all his disciples to be one, just as him and his Father are one? So why all this talk about separating from non-Baptists?

Answer
Hi Joshua,

Thank you for this great question.  You make an excellent point.  The Bible does teach seperation, but along doctrinal lines, not denominational lables.  Note that the first thing we should seperate from is unbelievers:

2 Corinthians 6:14-17
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said,  I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

We are also to seperate from those who would spread a false gospel.

2 John 9-11
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

We are told to stand for the truth, not ignore doctrinal differences.

Jude 3-4
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

While you mentioned John Wesley, a Methodist, his doctrine is not anything like the United Methodists of today.  Martin Luther would not recognize much of what that denomination teaches.  John Calvin would roll over in his grave if he saw what many Presbyterians have embraced.  

I agree with you that it is silly to seperate simply because of a name, but it is needful to draw a line to preserve doctrine.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don