SEPARATION Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Separation Let us consider a few scriptures and what they mean to us today Matthew I 5:14 The Pharisees were blind leaders, who led others into a ditch. Who are the modern Pharisees? They are those who wou1d argue against and kill Jesus Christ and the message He gave to us. It is our understanding surely, the denominational churches, who are political, word1y and compromising, are the modern Pharisees.

The order by Jesus Christ Himself to His disciples is simple 'Let them alone' Surely that means that we don't waste time and effort with them, but rather get on with our calling of spreading the powerful gospel. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 This message is to us - in our time - the last days. It describes the terrible social, moral and religious attitudes that have contaminated modern society. Some even have a show of religion. God's directive to us is "from such turn away" Revelation 18:4. This message is for those caught up in the evi1 religious system described in chapter 17. It is the Roman Catholic church and her children. This is not a modern, prejudiced view. It has clearly identified since the Reformation. God's command: 'Come out of her people that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not her plagues.' The temptation to some Spirit filled today is to ignore God's command and stay in the Catholic church' or her daughter, Protestant churches under the "charismatic" banner.

In the Bulletin magazine dated September 2, 1997, in an article "Hail, Mary", we read "Many Catholics who were once in the charismatic movement have migrated to Mary as the Holy Spirit's more interesting spouse" They disobeyed God's Word and have paid the price. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 We are not to have fellowship, communion, concord or agreement with the world. Verse 17 - 'come out from among them and be separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you.' Romans 12:2 Don't absorb the world's fashions. We must keep the world out of the church. We must not go out to the world- nor allow the world to come in to us. We must not confuse spiritual liberty with thinly disguised fleshly liberty.

God te1ls us to dress modestly (1 Timothy 2;9). The world's dress fashions can be immodest and our children persecuted for not following. We must fol1ow Christ - not follow the world. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 - "withdraw Yourselves from every brother that walketh disorder1y". One example is of lazy peop1e, who do not work, but are busy-bodies (Verse 11). Some people have jobs, but are busy-bodies and are disorderly. Many churches, including Pentecostals, are disorderly in doctrine and practice, and will influence us away from scripture if we fellowship with them. God's command: "withdraw yourself" some ignore God's command, claiming that this passage only refers to people who are lazy. Ignore God's advice and you will be enticed off into the confused mess called Pentecost. Romans 16:17-18 .

If the previous passage does not refer to compromising Pentecost, this passage surely does. Individuals and families have been enticed away from good scriptural fe1lowship because they refuse to obey these verses. MARK THEM - identify those who cause divisions and offences.

The most obvious are former members who left over personal grievances. Their doctrine and practice are not what we have learned from our bibles. Identify them - don't be sentimental about old fellowships. AVOID THEM - their motives are not pure. 2 John 8-11 (amplified v.8) take care, look to yourselves that you may not lose (throw away or destroy) all that we and you have laboured for, but that you may (preserve until you) win and receive back a perfect reward in full. (v.1O) if anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine (is disloyal to what Jesus Christ taught, do not receive him - do not accept him. do not welcome or admit him - into your house) or bid him Godspeed or give him any encouragement.

Titus 3:9, 10,11 (Amplified) "but avoid stupid and foolish controversies and genealogies and dissension's and wranglings about the Law, for they are unprofitable and futile. (As for) a man who is factious -a heretical sectarian and cause of divisions - after admonishing him a first and second time reject him from your fellowship and have nothing to do with him. Well aware that such a person has utterly changed...." Let us sum up God's directions "Let them alone" "have nothing to do with" "turn away" "avoid them" "come out" "do not accept him" "touch not" "do not welcome or admit him into your