Separation from so called brother

[exceptyerepent]

I should clarify for you as I may not have, my nephew does profess faith in Christ.

His mom at least doesn't think he is saved, but his dad does.

 

[PuritanCovenanter]

I should clarify for you as I may not have, my nephew does profess faith in Christ.

His mom at least doesn't think he is saved, but his dad does.

Have you discussed it with him?

 

[mvdm]

I don't recall any passage of Scripture that calls individual believers to decided who is to be separated from and who is not. It is the role of the church to pronounce excommunication. Modern Christian nominalism and and individual judgments thereupon are NOT the subject of any NT passage.

While the church may make the ecclesiastical judgment, this does not relieve individuals of their responsibility toward the wayward or unrepentant. Our Form for Excommunication in line with the NT text exhorts the members to "no longer keep company with this person, so that he may be ashamed and repent of his sin". Thus, the individual family often becomes the last line in applying this Christian discipline by refusing fellowship: a very strong gospel testimony indeed, testifying to this person he must repent and believe so that genuine fellowship can be restored.

 

[Edward]

Our Form for Excommunication in line with the NT text exhorts the members to "no longer keep company with this person, so that he may be ashamed and repent of his sin".

As a matter of clarification, what sin is in view here?

 

[mvdm]

Our Form for Excommunication in line with the NT text exhorts the members to "no longer keep company with this person, so that he may be ashamed and repent of his sin".

As a matter of clarification, what sin is in view here?

Could be any sin of which the person is unrepentant.

 

[Mushroom]

Started a long reply but deleted it. Scripture is plain, men's rationalizations are not. Do what seems right to you; I'll obey the Word as the Lord enables me. Don't like it? I don't care. Real love acts.

 

[CharlieJ]

Our Form for Excommunication in line with the NT text exhorts the members to "no longer keep company with this person, so that he may be ashamed and repent of his sin".

As a matter of clarification, what sin is in view here?

Could be any sin of which the person is unrepentant.

So, if I have family members who professes Christ but refuse to baptize their children, I should keep no company with them?

If I have family members who profess Christ don't keep the Sabbath in the Reformed fashion, I should keep no company with them?

If my co-workers profess Christ but wear crucifixes, violating the 2nd commandment, I should keep no company with them?

If my neighbors profess Christ but don't go to church, I should keep no company with them?

Surely, the absurdity of these situations show that the biblical commands to separation only make sense within the context of ecclesiastical admonition and discipline. It's not about individuals deciding to separate from individuals.

Edit: Mark, I see that you do have the church making the judgment. In that case, I agree, the family does and should have SOME role in exercising that discipline. I'm still not sure it means to separate oneself totally from a person. But, my point is that it's not for me personally to enforce a ban against every professing Christian whom I consider to be in unrepentant sin. That could be... almost anyone.

 

[exceptyerepent]

I guess I was misled a bit by the name "Puritan Board"....

Other than Brad the overwhelming sentiment at least in the views posted on this thread seem to be what I would expect from a typical American Christian, which explains why so many of our churches are in the shape they're in.

When those in church leadership explain away scripture to tell you it doesn't really mean what it plainly says the door is being opened up to have it mean whatever you want it to mean. In my experience I have only seen this result in a twisting of the truth.

SOLA SCRIPTURA

 

[PuritanCovenanter]

I guess I was misled a bit by the name "Puritan Board"....

Other than Brad the overwhelming sentiment at least in the views posted on this thread seem to be what I would expect from a typical American Christian, which explains why so many of our churches are in the shape they're in.

When those in church leadership explain away scripture to tell you it doesn't really mean what it plainly says the door is being opened up to have it mean whatever you want it to mean. In my experience I have only seen this result in a twisting of the truth.

SOLA SCRIPTURA

Jonathan. You are slow to answer my questions. A Puritan would have personally done more than just not permit someone to enter their house. They would have also visited and personally exhorted this person in a loving caring way. You seem to ignore my questions. Will you please answer them. I don't believe you have been forthcoming so our discernment has been rather hard to make. I have endorsed the principle. If you are not going to deal with the questions you are asked, please reserve your judgments because you have not given us enough information.

 

[PuritanCovenanter]

Jonathan,

Have you communicated at all with your nephew? Does he consider himself to be a Christian or redeemed by Christ? What is your relationship with this young man? Have you spoken with him about the path he is on? Do you love him? I know you have spoken with his parents about this situation. Have you spoken with the Leadership about this young man? Have you seriously spent diligent time praying for this young man?

These were my questions to you. Have been been pursuing this young man these past years concerning the wreckless and sinful course he is on. I believe these are Puritan traits.

 

[AThornquist]

Other than Brad the overwhelming sentiment at least in the views posted on this thread seem to be what I would expect from a typical American Christian, which explains why so many of our churches are in the shape they're in.

So you weren't looking for input, you were looking for affirmation. Brother, it's sad that you changed so quickly from calling PB members "uncompromising brothers" to people who sound like "typical American Christians," an obvious desparagement. If your mind is already made up, do what you are bound to do; however, at least have the decency to hear differing opinions from solid brothers who disagree on how to apply the text. How about a "thank you" to the people who put time into answering your questions instead of an insult?

 

[Pergamum]

Ha ha, most PB members are just the typical American Christian....... Where's the avatar of the little guy peeing his pants from laughing so hard and falling backward from his chair convulsing in hysterics....

 

[TimV]

I consider myself very average, or perhaps above average in my patience, kindness, tact and total lack of combativeness, which may indeed have influenced my posts on this topic.

 

[seajayrice]

I guess I was misled a bit by the name "Puritan Board"....

Other than Brad the overwhelming sentiment at least in the views posted on this thread seem to be what I would expect from a typical American Christian, which explains why so many of our churches are in the shape they're in.

When those in church leadership explain away scripture to tell you it doesn't really mean what it plainly says the door is being opened up to have it mean whatever you want it to mean. In my experience I have only seen this result in a twisting of the truth.

SOLA SCRIPTURA

View attachment 2551 Anger, pain. Another battle must you fight before helping the other.

 

[rbcbob]

So you weren't looking for input, you were looking for affirmation. Brother, it's sad that you changed so quickly from calling PB members "uncompromising brothers" to people who sound like "typical American Christians," an obvious desparagement. If your mind is already made up, do what you are bound to do; however, at least have the decency to hear differing opinions from solid brothers who disagree on how to apply the text. How about a "thank you" to the people who put time into answering your questions instead of an insult?

 

[Herald]

This thread is now closed.