Saturday, May 16, 2009

We Must Separate

Acts 19:9 KJV
But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

There came a point when Paul, because of the hardened hearts and vicious words of the unbelievers, separated the disciples from them.

As long as Paul could, he kept his ministry in the public forum of the synagogue. As he saw people converted to Jesus Christ in this forum, he fed them and discipled them simultaneously with his evangelical preaching. But there came a point when Paul could no longer remain in this setting. For the sake of the disciples, he moved them away from such attacks where they could be taught more fully and with less distraction. Paul maintained his outreach, but he did it in different formats; ones that did not endanger the new disciples' faith.

While we must be in the world in order to win the world, we must also maintain a degree of separation from the world. We are to be a distinct people and we need the sanctuary of the local church of God as a means to discipleship and training without the intense pressures the unbelievers sometimes place upon the faith.

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