One of the distinguishing marks of the true followers of Christ has been their zeal in defense of the doctrines and practices of Christ and the Apostles. II Timothy 3:16,17 tells us that "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." The scriptures therefore must be our only rule of faith and order. In them can be found instructions to the Church giving her the authority and indeed the duty to carry out Godly discipline and oppose all departures in biblical faith and practice. I suppose many Baptists of today will view this article as harsh or overbearing which would come as no surprise since the majority of Baptist Churches today have abandoned scriptural discipline and practices. In fact, most all-religious societies in America have departed from Godly discipline, which is reflected in our secular society also. The degree to which our society has departed from God is illustrated in the poem America the Beautiful written by Judge Roy Moore. In it he speaks of todays society as: "Too soft to place a killer in a well deserved tomb, but brave enough to kill a baby before he leaves the womb". How frightening true this is! The recent confirmation of a sodomite as Bishop in the Episcopal church further illustrates the sharp turn from God this nation and its churches have taken on the road to moral decay and eventual destruction.

The New Testament commands: Mark and avoid - Withdraw from - Have no company with not keep company with (such a one no not to eat) - Turn away from Receive not Reject Be not partakers with - have no fellowship with Come out from and be ye Separate are mostly contained in letters the Apostle Paul wrote to particular churches. Several of them are in letters the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy and Titus but in effect are also to the churches, since the church is the pillar and ground of the truth and has the authority to carry out discipline, not the minister. To follow the above commandments is to be a defender of the Doctrines and Practices of Christ and his Church, not a troublemaker as some claim. Some are teaching the erroneous idea that to follow these commands is to be harsh and unloving. Right the opposite is true. Some have used Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God" to imply that those who insist on following the above commands are not peacemakers. Judge for yourselves; is the peacemaker the one who, in love, endeavors to follow Gods word or the one who while saying Love, Love, ignores it? While we must always endeavor to act in a humble and longsuffering manner, which the scriptures admonishes us to do, abandoning the clear teachings of these verses is to deny the Lord and his inspired Word.

Through out the scriptures we find intermingled with the teachings of Gods Love, Grace, and mercy instructions pertaining to our duty as children of God and church members. The blessing of obedience and chastisement for disobedience is taught over and over from Genesis through Revelations. To be a good soldier of Christ, we not only need to hear the wonderful doctrines of Love and Salvation by Grace but we also need the doctrines of practice, duty and discipline. The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Colossians said, "Let your speech be alway with Grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man". (Colossians 4:6) The Gospel minister should always keep this and other verses in mind as he teaches duty and practice. Although we must always be mindful of the tenderness of young plants, it is showing more love for the child of God when a minister teaches all the counsel of God, rather than only preaching Grace.

In this article I have selected New Testament scriptures, which clearly directs the church to take certain actions. We are given these commands in order to preserve the peace and welfare of the church. The principles taught in these scriptures can be found through out the Old and New Testament and is by no means limited to the verses chosen for this article.

The Church is commanded to Mark and Avoid

Rom 16:17 " Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them." This scripture clearly instructs us as to who and why we are to mark and avoid. Paul gives the Philippians essentially the same commandment in Philippians 3:17. "Brethren be followers together of me, and Mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample, (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things".) Could it be any clearer that we are to mark and avoid those that cause divisions contrary to the doctrine the Apostles taught. Today this would apply to those among us who are once again introducing practices such as those listed in the Pitts and Cranberry resolutions. Many Primitive Baptists have been instructed by their pastors to view these resolutions and their supporters as divisive but nothing could be further from the true. The resolutions and their supporters do not cause division; it is the supporters of the unscriptural practices, the resolutions point out, who bear the blame for divisions.

The following is a composite of the unscriptural practices mentioned either in the Pitts Resolution of 2000 or Cranberry resolution of 2002. The asterisk indicates item was listed only in the Pitts resolution not in the Cranberry.

1. Sunday Schools or organized Bible Study Classes.
2. Youth Camps.
3. Mission Programs.
4. Theological Seminaries (Preacher's Schools).
5. Dedication of Infants. *
6. Salaried Ministry.
7. Tithing.
8. Teaching that the Great Commission was given to the church, rather than to the Apostles.
9. Accepting and retaining unqualified members. *
10. Misdirected Ministerial Authority. *
11. Ordaining Novices. *
12. Failure to recognize church authority. *

The apostolic churches had no such practices; neither did Baptist churches in general condone these practices until after the 1830 split. Furthermore no orderly Primitive Baptist church has ever supported such practices. Any time they have been introduced among the Primitive Baptists, it has always resulted in divisions and offences because they are contrary to sound doctrine. Those introducing or supporting these unscriptural practices is the troublemakers and not the faithful servants opposing them.

False doctrine always follows close behind when a church starts implementing unscriptural practices, such as those listed above. As expected, by faithful brethren, several of the frontline leaders of these departures are now teaching heresy such as: The Calvinistic view of perseverance, all the elect will hear and obey the Gospel, our Love of God can be passed onto our children and teaching that a Time Salvation or deliverance is not taught in the scriptures. Some, who have been supporters of these men, now express concern over the doctrinal departures of their friends but apparently still ignore the flagrant departures in practice, which led up to the doctrinal issues. A pertinent and reasonable question should be asked them and all who claim the name Old Line Primitive Baptist: HOW LONG WILL YOU REMAIN IN FELLOWSHIP WITH SUCH PERSONS AND THOSE THAT ACTIVELY SUPPORT THEM, IN VIEW OF THE DIRECT COMMANDMENTS CONTAINED IN ROMANS 16:18 AND PHILIPPIANS 3:17 TO MARK AND AVOID SUCH PERSONS? IF THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE OLD LINE PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CONTINUE TO IGNORE THESE COMMANDMENTS, THEN FAITHFUL BRETHREN CAN ONLY CONCLUDE THAT YOU APPROVE OF THESE MEN AND THEIR NEW PRACTICES. THEREFORE IT WOULD SEEM THAT YOU ARE NOT REALLY OLD LINE AND SUBJECT TO BEING MARKED ALSO.

The Church is commanded to withdrawn from

2Thes 3:6 "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us." Is not withdrawing from essentially the same as marking and avoiding. This commandment is to the Thessalonian churches and agrees with the commandments given to the Roman and Philippian churches to mark and avoid. It further strengthens the case for faithful brethren to stand boldly against any and all departures in doctrines and practices.

1Tim 6:5 "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that Gain is godliness, from such withdraw thyself." This scripture is directed to Timothy. But are we to believe that this commandment is only to Timothy and the ministry? How could this commandment only apply to the minister and not to the church he pastors or is a member of? It is obvious that this instruction is for Timothy to follow and also to teach the flock of God to do likewise. The commandment is for us to withdraw ourselves from men that consent not to the words of our Lord and to the doctrine, which is according to godliness. The present day digressive (liberal) movement among the Primitive Baptists is destitute of the truth in several areas, particularly in reference to biblical missions. The Primitive Baptist Missionary movement in the Philippines is riddled with the same money based schemes, which caused the 1832 Baptist division. The White unto harvest non-profit organization was formed to collect and distribute money to support the Philippine effort; the Filipino ministers are required to fill out forms to justify money they get from this missionary organization. Apparently Elder Gus Harters approval is required in the distribution of funds to the ministers seeking them. See the following two WebPages for documentation concerning this unscriptural practice.

http://www.pblib.org/HarterLetter.html

http://www.pblib.org/FinancialSupport.html

 

The Church is commanded to Have no company with or not to keep company with

2Thes 3:14 "And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as brother." The apostle Paul again admonishes the Thessalonian Church to note the man that obeys not the scriptures (epistle) but this time uses the phrase have no company with him. Is not having no company with essentially the same as marking and avoiding or withdrawing from as he instructed the Romans and the Philippians to do? In this case, it instructs us to not count him as an enemy but admonish him as a brother. To have no company with surely could not mean you should fellowship and commune with him as long as he is in the state of not obeying the scriptures. Is it not clear that the scriptures quoted thus far require the church to deal with the offenses mentioned by marking and avoiding withdrawing from and having no company with? The present day leaders of this digressive (liberal) movement and their supporters should be marked, avoided and withdrawn from as the scriptures instructs the Church to do. In other words they should be excluded from church fellowship. To allow certain sins to fester long in the church will be as a canker and destroy the body. Is not the digressive (liberal) movement destroying the body of many churches because of the inaction of those who know what to do, but are not doing so for whatever reason?

1cor 5:9,11 "I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat." In this scripture the sins listed have equal weight as to what the church should do if they have any in their midst who practice such sins. It clearly says that if any man (or woman) that is called a brother (or sister) is either one of the things listed, then we are to have no company with (not commune with that person). Thus we are to exclude that person from church fellowship. We can only re-establish fellowship when and if the Lord grants true repentance.

The church is commanded to Turn away from

2Tim 3:5 "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come, for men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof: from such turn away For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." The world has always been full of people exhibiting these traits and always will be. But the troubling thing is there is more so called religious people today than there have been in years that exhibit many of these characteristics. They claim identity with God but exhibit more fleshly living than they do spiritual living. Many religious television programs of today are no more than worldly entertainment shows featuring songs tailored after rock n roll, country, and so-called holy hip hop music. While the songs have words about God they many times are sung wearing sensual attire. Frequently they also move their bodies in a rhythm mimicking Rock or Country music entertainers. It simply is blasphemous conduct, not Christ like (Christian) as claimed. Many times the Preacher is the star performer, dramatizing their presentations and coveting their listeners money more than feeding Gods sheep. We are instructed to turn away from such, not go among, as some Baptist evangelizers want to do. While Gods children still have that old adamic nature and are susceptible to walking in the above sins, they also have placed within their bosoms the spirit of God, which enables them to seek and follow righteousness. In this scripture, the church is clearly instructed to turn away from those that fail to conquer and control their adamic nature.

The church is commanded to Reject

Titus 3:10 " A man that is an Heretic, after the first and second admonition reject;" Contrary to what some among the Primitive Baptists are preaching, it is the churches duty and responsibility to reject the heretic rather than the preacher having sole responsibility in doing so. The minister only has the responsibility to teach and exhort the church concerning their duty. Those that teach it is the ministers sole duty to reject the heretic are hedging on lording over Gods heritage. I personally believe that this is the duty of the heretics home church to handle. However, if the home church fails to do so, then sister churches should, after proper labor, declare non-fellowship against the particular church for failing to reject a heretic among their membership.

The Church is commanded to Receive not nor bid Gods Speed

2John 1:10 " If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine receive him not into your house, neither bid him God's speed" This second letter of the Apostle John is address to the elect lady and her children which in my opinion is the church or maybe even a particular church. I say that because of Johns closing remark The children of thy elect sister greet thee, Amen. Either way it is a commandment instructing us to receive not nor bid Gods speed to anyone that is not preaching sound doctrine. I believe an immediate action by the church is being taught here. The Church is not under obligation to wait until a minister has been admonished two times as in the case of a heretic before rejecting him. In other words if a church knows a man is preaching unsound doctrine She has the duty and authority to guard her stand against such ministers regardless of their standing at home or other places. If he preaches unsound doctrine or is known to preach unsound doctrine at other places, he should not be received nor bid Gods speed according to this command.

The Church is commanded to come out from and be ye Separate

2cor 6:17 "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath the that believeth with and infidel? 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, an walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean things; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons, and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. We are not to be yoked with unbelievers or worldly religious practices but we are to be a separate people, following only the laws Christ and the Apostles set up for the New Testament Church. The leaders of the digressive (liberal) movement among the Primitive Baptists promote their efforts as being outreach ministries, which is a flagrant violation of this commandment. How can you come out from the world and be a separate people and at the same time have an outreach ministry to the world? You can't!

The church is commanded to be not partakers with and have no fellowship with

Ephesians 5:11 "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be ye not therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." This is another clear command to keep the Church unspotted from the world. The Church can only do so by obeying the commands to: mark and avoid, withdraw from, have no company with, turn away from, reject, receive not, separate from, be not partakers with and have no fellowship with. Doing so in the proper manner helps maintain peace and fellowship in the Church. Not doing so destroys true peace and brings the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

The Church is commanded to Contend for the faith

Jude 1:3 "Ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" By following the above New Testament instructions in a loving manner, the church is earnestly contending for the faith which was once delivered to the saints. The idea has been put forth that the Apostle Paul did not support breaking fellowship over the wrongs that he pointed out to the Corinth church but suffered with them while trying to preach them out of their wrongs. The truth is that the Apostle Paul in all the commands listed above told us to have no fellowship with ungodly and unscriptural behavior. I agree that we should not rush into or relish putting up bars. Each church has the God given authority and duty to carry out the Laws Christ gave to the New Testament church without undue interference from sister churches. But no church of Christ is sovereign to point that she can disregard those laws expecting to remain in fellowship with sister churches. When it becomes clear that a church by its actions or inactions, harbors, accepts or promotes the things we are instructed not to fellowship then sister Churches should declare non-fellowship with that church until reclaimed. The Apostles instructed the early Church to do so. Im confident that orderly New Testament churches did exactly that. If it was as some claim, that Paul did not support breaking fellowship, it would mean the Apostle Paul preached one thing but practiced the opposite.

The church should never act in a vindictive or harsh manner in doing its duty but should always exhibit a spirit of Love and concern for the cause and for those we must stand against. The Lord said, "If you love me, keep my commandments". (John 14:15) Does this not apply to the scriptural commands sited above? Under the guise of working for peace and love will we ignore these clear commandments? I hope not, but at this time the majority of Primitive Baptists are not following these clear instructions for dealing with the unscriptural departures among us today. I pray that more Primitive Baptists will heed the scripture which says "awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead" and once again truly contend for the faith, which was once delivered unto the saints. Amen ---- Elder Claude Mckee