Definition and Context:
In the biblical context, "separations" often refer to the act of setting apart or dividing individuals, groups, or things for specific purposes, whether sacred or secular. This concept is prevalent throughout Scripture, manifesting in various forms such as physical, spiritual, and relational separations. The idea of separation is integral to understanding God's holiness, the distinction between the sacred and the profane, and the call for believers to live distinct lives.

Old Testament Examples:

1. Creation and Order:
The concept of separation is introduced in the creation narrative. God separates light from darkness, waters above from waters below, and land from sea (Genesis 1:4-10). This act of separation establishes order in creation, reflecting God's sovereignty and intentional design.

2. Holy and Common:
The Levitical laws emphasize the separation between the holy and the common, the clean and the unclean. Leviticus 10:10 instructs, "You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the clean and the unclean." This separation underscores the Israelites' call to holiness and their distinct identity as God's chosen people.

3. Israel and the Nations:
God separates Israel from other nations to be a people for Himself. In Deuteronomy 7:6, it is stated, "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession." This separation is both a privilege and a responsibility, calling Israel to live according to God's statutes.

New Testament Examples:

1. Spiritual Separation:
Believers are called to be separate from the world in their conduct and values. In 2 Corinthians 6:17, Paul exhorts, "Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." This call to separation is not about physical withdrawal but about living a life that reflects God's holiness.

2. Division for the Gospel:
Jesus acknowledges that His message will cause division, even among close relationships. In Matthew 10:34-36, He states, "Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’" This separation is a result of differing responses to the Gospel.

3. Church Discipline:
The New Testament also addresses separation in the context of church discipline. In 1 Corinthians 5:11, Paul instructs the church to separate from a believer who is living in unrepentant sin: "But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. With such a man do not even eat." This separation aims to bring about repentance and restoration.

Theological Implications:

1. Holiness and Purity:
Separation is closely linked to the concept of holiness. God's people are called to be holy, as He is holy (1 Peter 1:16). This involves a separation from sin and a dedication to God's purposes.

2. Identity and Mission:
Separation serves to define the identity of God's people and their mission in the world. As a distinct community, believers are to be a light to the nations, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel.

3. Eschatological Separation:
The Bible speaks of a final separation at the end of the age, where the righteous and the wicked will be eternally divided. In Matthew 25:32-33, Jesus describes this separation: "All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left."

Conclusion:
The theme of separation in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing God's creative order, the call to holiness, and the ultimate division between those who follow Christ and those who reject Him. It serves as a reminder of the distinctiveness of God's people and their calling to live in accordance with His will.

Of the Law.
... By whom also we exhort you in the Lord to abstain from your old conversation, vain
bonds, separations, observances, distinction of meats, and daily washings ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iv of the law.htm

Angelic Comforters.
... Even in earthly separations, how cheering the prospect of those severed by oceans
and continents meeting once more in the flesh"the associations of youth ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xxii angelic comforters.htm

I Desire to Die.
... Let fire and the cross; let the crowds of wild beasts; let breakings, tearings,
and separations of bones; let cutting off of members; let bruising to pieces of ...
/.../ignatius/the epistle of ignatius to the romans/chapter v i desire to die.htm

Presbyterian Worship Outside of the Established Church of Scotland ...
... Other manifestos were published from time to time by different bodies as separations
or unions took place, for the early part of the past century was a period ...
/.../johnston/presbyterian worship/chapter viii presbyterian worship outside.htm

Letter x. To John, Theologos, Apostle and Evangelist, Imprisoned ...
... For, neither in the ages which are approaching, will Almighty God be Cause of the
just separations from Himself, but they by having separated themselves ...
/.../dionysius/letters of dionysius the areopagite/letter x to john theologos.htm

Ancestors of the Blessed virgin
... They practiced these separations chiefly when they were occupied with all kinds
of religious ceremonies, accompanied by incense and prayers. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/i ancestors of the blessed.htm

Conclusion of the Work.
... by them. Neither do you seek after Jewish separations, or perpetual washings,
or purifications upon the touch of a dead body. But ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec vi conclusion of the work.htm

Parting.
... But be an hour of union. More blessed with our Lord! With Him to guide and save
us,. No changes that await,. No earthly separations. Can leave us desolate! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/borthwick/hymns from the land of luther/parting.htm

Modern Revivals, Concluded.
... Great contentions, separations, and confusions in our religious state prevail in
many parts of the land.". The above is from a letter to a friend in Scotland. ...
/.../chapter xxvi modern revivals concluded.htm

The Doctrinal Position of the Anglican Church and Her Relation to ...
... She has lost in England by those periodical separations which followed her great
religious movements (the Puritan, the Methodist, the Anglo-Catholic) nearly ...
/.../ 77 the doctrinal position.htm

Separations (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Separations (1 Occurrence). Jude 1:19 These are they
who make separations, sensual, having not the Spirit. (ASV). ...
/s/separations.htm - 6k

Sephar (1 Occurrence)

/s/sephar.htm - 7k

Separation (50 Occurrences)

/s/separation.htm - 23k

Jude (4 Occurrences)
... secured. 7. Schismatics and Sensualists. "These are they who make separations,
sensual, having not the Spirit" (Jude 1:19). It was ...
/j/jude.htm - 40k

Discomfiture (6 Occurrences)
... lusts." He applies the prediction to the libertines then and there practicing their
unholy deeds: "These are they, who make separations, sensual, having not ...
/d/discomfiture.htm - 101k

Second (2060 Occurrences)
... lusts." He applies the prediction to the libertines then and there practicing their
unholy deeds: "These are they, who make separations, sensual, having not ...
/s/second.htm - 96k

Peter (181 Occurrences)
... lusts." He applies the prediction to the libertines then and there practicing their
unholy deeds: "These are they, who make separations, sensual, having not ...
/p/peter.htm - 101k

Epistle (13 Occurrences)

/e/epistle.htm - 101k

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