Biblical Separation Policy

The existence and purpose of Grace Baptist Church requires that the leadership and its members obey the clear teachings of Scripture. The Word of God is our only source for godly living. By the faithful teaching and preaching of the Scriptures, the people of God at GBC will be fed, challenged, and warned about the dangers of the hour.

Therefore, we purpose to proclaim clear-cut biblical preaching. While churches have turned to methodologies that seek numerical growth often at the price of biblical principles (Seminars, web-conferences, coffee clubs, rock bands and family programs) we will strive to refuse the fads and programs of our day that would have us turn to psychological programs and charismatic tendencies. We will seek to retain the old paths of which the Lord spoke (Jeremiah 6:16).

Rather than yield to the temptation of experimenting with new paths, we will strive to follow God’s way. Paul told Timothy the way in which the needs of the human heart can be met (2 Timothy 4:2). While men will refuse what they need and receive what they want, it is God’s Word which meets the needs of men’s hearts, not man’s speculation or human reasoning.

Clear-cut biblical preaching causes sinners to see their need through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, as well as to ground the saints in their faith and cause them to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord. It is strong preaching from the pulpit that will develop strong believers in the pew.

Today the issues that face the fundamental, separatist church seemingly stem from a group that calls themselves Conservative Evangelicals. This is a seemingly new group appearing to have taken a step to the right of New Evangelicalism but have not completely removed themselves from their New Evangelical fellowships or practices. (John MacArthur, John Piper, R. C. Sproul, D.A. Carson, Al Mohler, David Jeremiah, Bryan Chappell, C.J. Mahaney, Mark Devers, Alistair Begg and Tim Keller of Sovereign Grace Ministries (Charismatic, Calvinistic, CCM). The leadership at GBC is committed to sounding the alarm in warning God’s people about the issues and dangers of our day. We are committed to this minuteman ministry of contending for the faith by preaching and practicing the great separation passages like 2 Corinthians 6:24-7:1, 2 John, 2 Thessalonians 3:6; Romans 16:17; Jude 3 and many Old Testament passages. We need to keep good materials like Ohio Bible Fellowship Visitor, The American Council of Christian Churches publications, and The Projector before our people. In conjunction, Biblical separatist pastors and evangelists will be scheduled to preach in our services.

Warnings about the dangers of worldliness will be frequently shared. Many talk about holiness but few seem to practice it. There is much talk but few walk the life of holiness. Hollywood entertainment, TV, internet, and DVDs have set our standards, and defined our entertainment. What we will not go to see in the movie theaters has been rented, bought and played in our Christian homes. We are to be holy as He is holy (I Peter 1:15,16) and we must cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7:1; James 4:8). Our church may be known for its separatist stand but are we, as a people, known for our stand on personal separation? A pure church is a powerful one.

As it is our purpose to abide by the clear biblical teachings of Scripture in matters of ecclesiastical and personal separation, it is also our goal to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). In order to have unity in the body there must be a scriptural agreement. Amos asked the question, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3). There must be an agreement on doctrine and practice if the local church is to be fruitful and expand the gospel cross-culturally. What practices should we be mutually concerned?

Intellectualism – there is nothing that kills orthodoxy quicker than an undue emphasis on man’s mind. Preaching that only reaches the mind and not the heart is of little value.
Accepting Unbiblical Behaviors – the world, the flesh and the devil have been allowed to color our thinking on articleorce, remarriage, entertainment, movies, DVDs in our homes, and attitudes towards drinking alcoholic beverages. We must exhibit an atmosphere of spiritual love toward those who endorse these behaviors where we seek their best interest rather than our own conceived selfish interest.
Lowering of Dress Standards – the intrusion of the world’s styles is a step downward. The disregard for tight and low cut on women and the sloppy, wrinkled, baggy, unshaven look on men are detractors, not enhancements for holy living.
Anti-Bible Institute Mentality – it is a sad day when we exalt a man’s degrees rather than his understanding of the Word and call to the ministry.
The spirit of Christian liberty, license and legalism – True biblical love is the restraint for any believer (Romans 13:10-14). Our target is not personal enjoyment alone but the spiritual edification of our Christian brother.

It is our intent, with wholly pursuit, to seek the mind of the Lord for wisdom from the Scriptures, setting ourselves apart unto the Lord Jesus Christ, and from the decadence of worldliness in practice, in song and doctrine,. We endeavor to maintain the old paths with a renewed Holy Spirit passion of pleasing the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ and resolve to keep ourselves, our church, and our doctrine biblically based, biblically relevant, and be vibrantly committed to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.