Scriptural Segregationby Preston Laughinghouse, Sr.
(printer friendly version)A commentary on “Scriptural Fellowship” by Dr. Shelton Smith, Sword of the Lord Publishers, 2005.
Scriptural fellowship is family relationship based on love and acceptance. Ephesians 3:17-19. Foundation Scripture Isaiah 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, this is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
Proverbs 4:26-27 Ponder the path of thy feed, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
Daniel 2:42-43 was recently read on a Wednesday night service. The scripture brought back memories of my early childhood in Independent Baptist churches. The scripture was used as a biblical justification for separation of races. Books were written concerning segregation, “Negro and White Desegregation – Right or Wrong” by John R. Rice, Sword of the Lord publishers 1956. We should rightly divide the word. II Timothy 2:15. We are to try the spirits. I John 4:1. For the most part, Independent Baptists have changed their views on race, but it seems their mindset of segregation has been transferred to the body of Christ.
When I listen to Independent Baptist preachers I receive the word with all readiness of mind, but I also search the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:11.
There is a biblical basis for separation among the brethren. I Corinthians 5:1-8. Abraham and Lot separated. Abraham built an altar, and Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom. Lot was part of the family. II Peter 2:7. What was Abraham’s attitude toward Lot?
Would the typical Independent Baptist Preacher come to the aid of just Lot in His time of need? I suspect he would have heard; the way of the transgressor is hard, be sure your sins will find you out. You reap what you sow. This is not what Lot needed. He needed deliverance. Do we have family love, or gospel love, as Pastor Jason recently preached on Sunday night? When I write in defense of my Southern Baptist and Charismatic Brethren, I am not defending their practices, but their brotherhood in Christ. Abraham’s defense of Lot was a defense of family.
There was a division between Paul and Barnabas. Acts 15:36-39. Do we have scripture of Paul speaking evil of Barnabas? Was Barnabas called part of Synagogue of Satan? Sword of the Lord, February 20, 2009. The contention was sharp, but they controlled their tongue. The tongue can kill and destroy. Proverbs 18:21. The unbridle tongue can deceive your own heart. James 1:26. How did the division of Lot, Abraham, Paul, and Barnabas end? I Corinthians 9:6, Galatians 2:1- 9, 2:13, and Genesis 14:14-16?
There was division and strain fellowship between Bob Jones University and Pensacola Christian College. PCC is KJV only, BJU is not. Bob Jones, Jr. called KJV – only position a “HEARCY” and a very definite sense a “BLASPHEMY.” Cornbread and caviar by Bob Jones, Jr. Page 179. Peter Ruckman, a BJU graduate, has said all translation since KJV has been of satanic origins. PCC in “Love and Fellowship” responded with a videotape calling this “Leaven of fundamentalism.” Source, documents on BJU, PCC controversy, archived on a private website. This is an example of brethren not possessing brotherly love. No brotherly love, no fellowship, they are both part of the family of God. They need to love one another in brotherly fellowship. Pride only breeds quarrels. Proverbs 13:10.
Should Christian’s fellowship with all sanctified believers? Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice and they follow me.” John 10:4. Jesus left us many examples to follow. Jesus fellowshipped with all his disciples as well as non-disciples. An example was the marriage feast where he turned the water into wine in a social situation. Jesus fellowshipped with Judas. He washed his feed and ate from the same bowl. Would you as an Independent Baptist wash the feet of a homosexual Episcopal Priest, or would you say, “Do not cast your pearls before swine.”? Matthew 7:6.
Dr. Smith said if he was invited to speak at a state convention of Episcopalians, he would not go. Page 17. The gospel is not segregated from certain people. Preach the gospel throughout the word. Matthew 26:13. Preach the good news to all creation. I find no group in the Bible who should be segregated from hearing the gospel. When I read my KJV Bible, preaching is normally associated with the gospel and not doctrine. Paul said, “For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” I Corinthians 2:2. Dr. Smith uses Acts 20:27 to preach “all the counsel of God.” Paul was speaking to Ephesians elders and not to the lost. Lost people do not understand doctrine, because they do not have the indwelling of Holy Spirit. It is not compromise to preach the gospel on any platform. I believe in full integration of gospel in all aspects of society. A segregation mindset will limit the gospel.
Dr. Smith uses Psalms 1:1 to segregate from non-believers. There should be separation in the counsel, the way, and the seat, but not the sinner. Jesus did not separate himself from the sinner. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood. The fight is against their way, counsel and seat. Why take the armor of God if your fight is against flesh and blood? Ephesians 6:12-17. If your fight is against flesh and blood, you are dangerous in this spiritual warfare. You can be physically in a crowd, but not be part of the crowd. We are in world, but not of this world. John 17:11-14. We are sanctified through the truth, or Jesus. Confusion occurs when the physical, or carnal, world mixes with the spiritual world. Our segregation unto Jesus is in the spiritual world. As an Ambassador of Christ in this physical world we must represent Him in a way that glorifies the Father. John 17:15-19, II Corinthians 5:20.
All believers share a common participation in the grace of God. This shared life brings fullness of joy. I John 1:4. Christians can have fellowship and know Christ even if they sin. I John 1:8-9. Obedience to God is illustrated in love for one another. I John 2:7-11. God loved the world (John 3:16), should we love the world? I John 2:15. Love not the world. Jesus loved the world and we are to love the world. We must rightly divide the word. The world as people we are to love, not the world system arrayed against God. I John 5:19.
In the natural two connected events cannot happen at the same time. In the spiritual word this can and does occur. For example, does faith precede the new birth or does rebirth precede faith? They both happen at the same time in spiritual word, proving rebirth is a miracle. Believing is not the cause of the birth, but it’s the consequence of it. Once we become born again we are one with God and all brethren. John 17:21.
The church is bride of Christ. Revelations 21:9, 23-24. As Christians we become bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. Genesis 2:23. Jesus is the second Adam. I Corinthians 15:45. As His bride we become part of Him, we are one with Christ. Will a man hate his own flesh? Ephesians 5:29. We damage the body of Christ when we speak of other brethren in a less than edifying manner. Ephesians 5:30, 32. What leads to a profitable Christian life? Maintain good works. Titus 3:8. What leads to an unprofitable Christian life? Foolish questions genealogies, contentions, and striving about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. Titus 3:9. I am convinced, if a person has a disposition that is contrary to love, it is an indication His parent is not Jesus. He does not have the flesh and bone of Jesus. We must exercise the fruit of the spirit as evidence of salvation.
The Sword of the Lord has given a platform to a Preacher who conducted a series of meetings in the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. Dr. Smith gives print space to a Preacher who is not in one accord with the separation philosophy. I am in one accord with the preacher. I read his sermons. The title of his sermon series, preached in the Mormon Tabernacle was “Salvation for all.” Documentation is available upon request. He spoke before Ravi Zaracaris spoke in 2004.
Within the local Church, only people with the same mindset should occupy positions of authority. An outside speaker or Minister, with a different mindset, should not be permitted to speak. I Corinthians 1:10. Different mindsets in position of authority cause confusion. God is not the author of confusion. I Corinthians 14:33.
Dr. Smith said Fundamentalists are separatists. Page 31. As a Fundamentalist I look to Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith. Hebrews 12:2. I am a follower of Jesus. He gave me an example to live by. Do we follow the example of Jesus or do we do what is right in every man’s eyes? Who did Jesus separate himself from? He had interaction from Nicodemis to the woman at the well and various degrees in between. I find segregation distasteful. Segregation does not bear witness with my spirit. No man is an island to himself. Jesus did not segregate from Judas nor did he speak evil about Judas to the disciples. When my lord washed the feet of Judas and ate from the same bowl it caused my heart and eyes to open. This caused my sphere of interaction to greatly expand. It is sad when envy and strife causes a group to condense into themselves.
The belief in physical separation has led to non belief in Universal Church or Baptist Bride Doctrine, KJV conference DVD #14. It is a dangerous sign when a group claims ownership of truth and separates from people who do not hold to their mindset. The Universal Church is made up of believers world-wide. Who is a member of Universal Church? Or Bride of Christ. Revelations 21:27. Some Independent Baptists have said there is only the local church and not a Universal Church. What are the requirements to join the local physical Church? Profession of faith, this can be faked, but not in Universal Church. When God writes your name in the Lamb’s Book of Life, there can be no deception. In local physical Church water Baptism is required, but not in Universal Church. You can join the local Church and be baptized and go to Hell. You can not go to Hell if your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. The local Church is important for Christian growth, but is of no effect in gaining eternal life. Belief in local physical Church and not universal Church is a back door works for salvation. The local Church cannot help you get to Heaven. Jesus said, “I will build my Church; and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18. Jesus did not say churches. The word "churches" normally refers to local churches.
Dr. Hudson said, “An evangelical who believes in the fundamentals of the faith, but refuses to separate from unbelievers could not rightly be called a fundamentalist.” Luke 5:29-32, seems to say integrate, not separate. Paul did not separate from sinners. I Corinthians 9:19-23. Neither Jesus nor Paul could be classified as fundamentalist by Dr. Smith or Dr. Hudson.
Dr. Hudson said, “The scripture commands that we separate from a brother who walks disorderly.” Page 32. What is disorderly? I Corinthians 5:11-13 tells us to separate on basis of carnal sins, fornicator, covetous, idolater, railer, drunkard, and extortionist. When Dr. Hudson tells us to separate from Southern Baptist and uses II Thessalonians 3:6 as justification. He is in essence accusing them of the sins in I Corinthians 5:11-13. Is there a basis for separation of brethren except for carnal sins? Doctrine cannot separate brothers. II John 7-11. All believers have the doctrine of Christ. Separate from deceivers who do not preach the doctrine of Christ. This is not a separation from sinners, but separation from Spirit of Antichrist. Southern Baptist and Charismatic’s do not have the spirit of Antichrist. When we give thought to fellow believers keep in mind Isaiah 55:-9. “In the Bible God has provided many facts and revelation that is reasonable and able to receive by an unprejudiced, intelligent mind in order to give us ground for reasoning faith.” BSF lesson 21.
Can error abide alongside truth? Page 52. Jesus is truth. Error existed among the disciples. Judas was a disciple. Thomas doubted the resurrection. In the natural, it is very common for error and truth to exist within a given time. A fundamentalist makes no fuss about weeds. We are to grow together with the weeds. Matthew 13:27-30. Dr. Smith seems to want to be a reaper and separate the weeds now; now is not the time or season.
Dr. Smith said, “Scriptural unity and scriptural fellowship cannot truly exist without the same rule.” Philippians 3:16. What is the same rule? We have a measure of the rule, not rules, which God hath distributed to us. II Corinthians 10:13. Is the rule being a new creature? Galatians 6:15-16. If you are a new creator in Christ circumcision or legalism is of no avail. “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but the measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” II Corinthians 10:12.
Jesus gave us an intercessory prayer before the crucifixion in John 17. Jesus said, “Neither pray I for these alone, bur for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they may be one; as thou, father are in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.” It seems Jesus does not approve of segregation among the brethren. All believers are part of Family of God; some are in heaven and some on Earth. Ephesians 3:15. There are four laws of logic. To say you love the brethren but segregate from the brethren violates the law of non contradiction. Love brings fellowship and interaction, not segregation. The basis for segregation is carnal sins. I Corinthians 5:9-13.
Independent Baptists are part of universal Church, Body of Christ, and Bride of Christ. Our language should be for edification of brethren and furthering Kingdom of God. As Independent Baptists we have enough problems within each local church to occupy us till the rapture. The Southern Baptist and Charismatics win souls, and I rejoice. Jesus Christ will judge us at the judgment seat of Christ.
I love the Independent Baptist, the Sword of the Lord, and Dr. Smith. I will not segregate from them. Jesus loves me and will never leave or forsake me. I end by quoting Proverbs 27:5-6, “Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”
Preston Laughinghouse
4601 Ashmont Court
Raleigh, NC 27616
(click here for a printer friendly PDF version)"Scriptural Segregation" was last modified April 17, 2010