2001 – Resolution on Biblical Separation from Theological Error

Whereas the Word of God plainly teaches in such passages as 2 Corinthians 6:14 – 7:1 that as obedient believers we should be separate from all entangling alliances with those who are false teachers and doctrinal deviants:

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 he that believeth with an 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, and 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 thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

And, whereas the Word of God clearly teaches in such passages as 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15 that as obedient believers we should separate ourselves from other professing believers, who walk in disobedience and theological compromise, yet being careful not to consider them enemies, but admonish them as brothers:

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. …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 a brother.

And whereas the Articles of Faith of the Independent Baptist Fellowship of North America state in part in section F. Biblical Separation:

Separation is a clear principle of Scripture, practiced by Baptists who believe the fundamentals of our faith, whereby we do not fellowship with apostates or those who compromisingly fellowship with apostates.
The doctrine of separation includes: …Ecclesiastical Separation, whereby we preach against apostasy, and withdraw from brethren who enter into memberships, affiliations and fellowships (including evangelistic crusades, youth movements, mission agencies, and schools) which seek to unite separatist fundamentalists with those who deny Biblical doctrines, including those who do not obey the Biblical teaching on separation, as defined in the purpose clause.

Be it therefore resolved that we as members of the IBFNA reaffirm our position on ecclesiastical separation as taught by the Word of God, and laid out in our Articles of Faith, by determining not to “enter into memberships, affiliations and fellowships” which are characterized by apostasy, liberalism, and modernism; including such organizations as Promise Keepers, the World Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches, the American Baptist Churches in the USA, the Conservative Baptist Association, and the Southern Baptist Convention. Furthermore, we are determined not to enter into unbiblical alliances with organizations or movements characterized by “Evangelicalism” (i.e. “New Evangelicalism”) or with those who have leaders and associates who have embraced heretical and liberal doctrine.

Be it further resolved that as a fellowship we are determined to yearly reaffirm in writing our commitment to biblical separation in the spirit of Romans 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.”