Two questions
1- Would you be inclined to attend a meeting by a well- known and respected minister if it was held in a school auditorium? City auditorium? Local church (denominational or not)? Etc.
2- Would you be inclined to accept an invitation to minister at a local church? Open brethren meeting? Etc.
Dear ________
I am thankful for the way you asked your two questions, by starting each of them with: “Would you be inclined to,” because both of your questions are for each of us individually to decide—how much fellowship the Lord wants us to have with professing Christians. We are not called to legislate for anyone else regarding this, but each of will answer to the Lord for how much company we keep with other professing Christians.
I thank the Lord that He has not left us without clear answers to these questions in the Scriptures. But even so, these questions are difficult, because we are living in what the Spirit of God calls “difficult times” (2 Timothy 3:1 JND). The running “to and fro, and knowledge… increased” (Daniel 12:4), leaves little time to have “good success” which only comes by meditating on the Word (Joshua 1:8). Therefore, we need to ask the Lord to help us set aside time to “study” (“strive diligently,” JND) so we can present ourselves to God as “approved” of Him (2 Timothy 2:15).
Let us not be alarmed by the situation we are faced with, for the Spirit of God is not taken off guard, nor surprised by it. He has provided clear instruction in the Word so we can know how to “please Him” (2 Timothy 2:4), and please Him regarding fellowship with other professing Christians in these “last days,” which are right before the Lord comes to take every member of His church home to glory (2 Timothy 3:1).
How many there are who “name to name of the Lord” (2 Timothy 2:19) today–ourselves included! We are told in verse 20 that some “name the name of the Lord” who are vessels “to honor and some to dishonor.” That is, they are vessels designed “to” honor, and some are designed “to” dishonor.
The truth is that “The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil” (Proverbs 16:4). In other words, some who “name the name of the Lord” have been saved and some are not saved, though only the Lord knows those that are really His (2 Timothy 2:19). So we have today this mixture of people in what the Spirit of God calls “a great house” instead of “the house of God.” (Instruction regarding “the house of God” is given to us in First Timothy. See chapter 3:14,15.) This mixture which God calls “a great house” is referred to by some as “professing Christendom.”
But we are cheered (are we not?) to be told that “Nevertheless” (even though there is this mixture among those who “name the name of the Lord”), that “the foundation of God standeth sure.” We praise the Lord that nothing will ever change the foundation truths that were laid by the apostles (see Ephesians 3:20) for their writings are part of our Bibles, “The Word of God, that liveth and abideth forever” (1 Peter 1:23). We are also told that this foundation has a seal with two parts: (1) “The Lord knows those that are His; and, (2) Let every one who names the name of the Lord withdraw from iniquity” (2 Timothy 2:19, Darby translation).
The main question before us in this passage is: how can we be “approved of God” in the short time He leaves us here—in regards to fellowship with this mixture of people who like us: “name the name of the Lord?” The answer to this question is that the Scriptures tell us to: “Depart from iniquity” (2 Timothy 2:19). We are not told to decide who is saved and who is not saved—only the Lord knows that (v.19). But we are told to depart from “iniquity.” “Iniquity” is anything that is not Scriptural, and in this portion of God’s Word, the Spirit of God is speaking primarily of false teaching. Other Scriptures tell us how to deal with wrong practice (Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5, etc.), but the instruction we are given regarding our responsibility toward the “great house” of professing Christendom has to do with departing from wrong teaching. An example of wrong teaching is given to us in verse 18 of two men: “Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.”
We are then told in verse 21: “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” Each individual (“if a man”) is responsible to purge himself by removing himself from “these” vessels which have (or are linked with) some teaching that is not according to the Scriptures. We are not told to purge ourselves from “it” (the “great house”), in fact, we cannot do this for we are still part of that company who “name the name of the Lord.” All, saved and unsaved, who “name the name of the Lord” (profess to own Him as Lord) are part of that “great house.” But we are told to depart (or purge ourselves) from those (“vessels”) who go on with the “iniquity” of false teaching.
If I remove myself from “these” vessels, we are told that I become “a vessel unto honour, sanctified” (or, set apart) who the Lord can use “to every good work.” Therefore this Scripture teaches that the Lord can only use us to “every good work” if we are separate from false teaching. Do we not desire, beloved brethren, to be used by the Lord to “every” good work?
We should praise the Lord that He has nothing less in mind for us! I suppose that we all realize that we cannot help a person who is in the quicksand by jumping in with him, and if we do this we will only be dragged down ourselves with them. Likewise, the Lord shows us in this verse that it is only when we are on the solid foundation of truth ourselves, that we can help souls who are linked with false teaching.
Many have had the privilege since they were saved to be in the assemblies we are linked with, which seek to be separate from false teaching, and thus they have never had to leave friends and brethren because they would not give up false teaching. But even if this is true of us, we are instructed to do two other things in these days. First we are to “Flee,” and then we are to “Follow:” “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart”
(2 Timothy 2:22).
Let us not hesitate to “flee” from the youthful lusts of levity and self-confidence. Let us be serious in our desire to please the Lord, and not rely on our own wisdom, but simply act upon what the Word tells us.
Next let us “follow” what is RIGHTEOUSNESS, which we learn from the Scriptures. This would include “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) and especially that which is to guide us individually and collectively with the people of God today in the church, the assembly, the “one body.” “FAITH” is the next thing we are to follow. Faith is the hand that believes God’s Word, and puts what it says into practice in our lives. “LOVE” is next, and the love of Christ alone can constrain our hearts—not to live unto ourselves but unto Him who loves us and died for us (2 Corinthians 5:14,15). And “PEACE” is the result.
But who are we to “follow” these things “with”? We are not to follow the truth with them that merely “name the name of the Lord” (v. 19), but rather “with them” who “call upon the Lord” out of a pure heart. (That is a heart that is undivided in seeking to “please [only] Him.”) We are not to follow the truth of God with the mixture of vessels that are mentioned in verse 20, but rather “with them” who are the “vessels to honor sanctified.”
Dear brother, it is these verses, mentioned above, that our all-wise God has set before us in His precious Word to guide us regarding both of your questions. I hesitate to tell what I am “inclined” to do about these matters, before I mention that it is very important that no one acts merely because I, or anyone else acts in a certain way. If we do this, we will be no better off than Lot who followed Abraham (instead of the Lord Himself), and ended up with his testimony lost. But may each of us desire nothing less than to be “approved unto God,” which can only be accomplished by realizing the Lord’s leading by His Word. And we should desire to please the Lord, in these days, especially regarding our fellowship with others who profess to be Christians.
Now to your questions:
> 1- Would you be inclined to attend a meeting by a well-known and respected minister if it was held in a school auditorium? City auditorium? Local church (denominational or not)? Etc.
The Scriptures teach us to “prove all things [by the Word], hold fast the right” (1 Thessalonians 5:22, JND). But the question above asks whether I should attend the meeting or not. What I am “inclined” to do about attending such a meeting should be guided by the Scriptures, and 2 Timothy 2:19-22 instructs us to “follow righteousness…with them” who have a “pure heart” (which comes by separating from “iniquity” and following the truth).
Therefore, before I attend a meeting, I should find out if the “respected minister” is “following” the Word and thus “calling on the Lord” with them who are “vessels to honor sanctified,” that is, set apart from the “iniquity” of false teaching that is prevalent today.
You and others, make an important point, regarding the effect I would have on others if I attended a place that did not teach and practice all the truth of God. You said, “I did not feel the liberty to go because I felt I might give the impression I condoned the normal order of this ‘church’.” A good point was also made about being certain not to stumble others by giving them the impression that it must be OK to go there since I went there.
But there is another point that the Scriptures tell us to consider regarding receiving ministry from the Word. We are told that we should know who we are receiving the teaching of the Scriptures from. Paul told Timothy, “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, KNOWING OF WHOM THOU HAST LEARNED THEM” (2 Timothy 3:14).
Before we go to hear a person minister the Word, we should know if this person has separated from “iniquity,” and is following “righteousness” (which includes right teaching) with only those who “call upon the Lord out of a pure heart.”
We may be sure that the Lord has good reasons for giving us this instruction. One of them is that, though we may learn helpful truths from any of the gifts the Lord has given to the church, yet if a person does not see, and act upon, the “whole counsel of God,” I believe you will find that he is not able to teach the fullness of any truth. An example of this is regarding the truth of husband and wife relationships. If a person does not act upon the truth of Christ and His bride, the church, he can not fully present the truth of husband and wife relationships, because the Spirit of God teaches husband and wife relationships in view of Christ and His bride the church. (See Ephesians 5:22-33 where the Spirit of God interweaves these truths together.)
So, what building the “respected minister” is ministering the Word in is not the only thing we are to consider regarding your question. Before I put myself “with” a teacher to be taught of him, I also must know that he teaches and acts upon “the whole counsel of God,” and thus is separate from those who have wrong teaching.
> 2- Would you be inclined to accept an invitation to minister at a local church? Open brethren meeting? Etc.
I agree that if I would accept such an invitation, I must not shun “from announcing…ALL the counsel of God.” The apostle Paul’s example in doing this is direction for us. So if I am going to be the Lord’s servant I must also do this, because He instructs me to do it (Acts 20:27). I also must do this in order to be “free from the blood of all” men (Acts 20:26,27).
It is true that I can expect that my usefulness will be limited in most circles today, but even so, let us remember that it is God who we are here to please. And let us remember also that we must set the Lord apart as number one in our hearts and thus be “ready” and available (1 Peter 3:15) to be used when He opens a door of opportunity. We are also taught to pray “that God may open to us a door of the word to speak the mystery of Christ” (Colossians 4:3), but it is only God who opens and shuts doors of “effectual” opportunity for us (1 Corinthians 16:9). And, if the Lord gives the opportunity, we may be assured that it is given to us to take advantage of for His own honor and glory, for the blessing of His dear people, and for the blessing of the lost.
However, I must remember that if I am invited to minister the Word in a “local church,” that it would not be in keeping with “following righteousness” (2 Timothy 2:22) if I would neglect or “forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as is the custom of some” (Hebrews 10:25). And I would not be “walking worthy of the calling wherewith we are called” (Ephesians 4:1) if I would put my individual service for the Lord before my calling “into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord” by being gathered by the Spirit through the Word unto His name in the assembly (1 Corinthians 1:9; Matthew 18:20). I also would not be “encouraging one another” (Hebrews 10:25) by my presence if I were not in my place in the assembly. The place the Lord has called me to, is to function during (and between) all the assembly meetings, and activities. And I certainly should want to be at each meeting all the more since I “see the day drawing near” when the Lord will take us home to glory (Hebrews 10:25)!
The thoughts above about what I would be “inclined” to do regarding fellowship with all professed Christians today, are an attempt to convey how the Scriptures should lead my “inclinations,” and how I should act if (and when) I have the opportunities that are mentioned in the questions.
The direction for our actions must come, not from what I say, or what anyone says, except from what God says in His Word, if we are going to please Him about this, or about any matter. My prayer is that each believer would not only desire to please the Lord (God gives that to every believer), but that we may all set aside time to study the Word so we may enjoy His fellowship daily, and be approved of Him in the difficult days we find ourselves.
Our desire for fellowship with all Christians comes from our bonds in Christ, but true fellowship with God and with other Christians can only be realized if it is based on “Separation From Evil [which is] God’s Principle for Unity.” J. N. Darby wrote a pamphlet by that title. I recommend reading this as well as “Our Path and Our Associations” by F. W. Grant.
Well, here are some more thoughts about your two questions. I believe we both realize how very important it is to God that we carry out His mind regarding your questions in these “last days.”
Your brother by His grace, Dave Johnson