Topical Bible: Idolatry: Saints should not Have Religious Intercourse With Those Who Practise

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Idolatry, the worship of idols or false gods, is a recurring theme in the Bible, consistently condemned as a grievous sin against the one true God. The practice of idolatry is not merely the physical act of bowing to graven images but extends to any form of allegiance or devotion that supplants God’s rightful place in the hearts of His people. The Bible provides clear instructions for the saints, the followers of Christ, to separate themselves from those who engage in idolatrous practices.

The Old Testament is replete with warnings against idolatry. In Exodus 20:3-5 , God commands, "You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath. You shall not bow down to them or worship them." This commandment underscores the exclusivity of worship that God demands from His people.

The New Testament continues this theme, urging believers to maintain spiritual purity by avoiding associations with idolaters. In 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 , the Apostle Paul writes, "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 'I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.' Therefore, 'Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.'"

This passage emphasizes the incompatibility of Christian faith with idolatrous practices, urging believers to separate themselves from those who do not share their commitment to God. The call to "come out from among them" is a directive to maintain holiness and avoid spiritual compromise.

The Apostle John also warns against idolatry in 1 John 5:21 , stating succinctly, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." This admonition serves as a reminder of the constant vigilance required to guard one's heart against the allure of idolatry.

In the context of the early church, the issue of idolatry was particularly pressing, as many converts came from pagan backgrounds where idol worship was prevalent. The Jerusalem Council addressed this in Acts 15:29 , instructing Gentile believers to "abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality." This directive was intended to help new believers distance themselves from their former idolatrous practices.

The Bible's consistent message is clear: idolatry is a serious offense against God, and His people are called to live in holiness, separate from those who engage in such practices. The saints are to be a distinct and holy people, reflecting God's character and upholding His commandments in a world rife with idolatry.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua 23:7
That you come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves to them:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 5:11
But now I have written to you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortionist; with such an one no not to eat.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Paul in Ephesus.
... All the saints and martyrs did not possess the ... established order of nature, to patronise
idolatry, and encourage ... had wasted many a guilty hour, should no more ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxii paul in ephesus.htm

Prayerlessness in the Pulpit
... as it is with all the Apostles, saints and angels in ... Prayer should be the inseparable
accompaniment of all ... to disciple all nations, destroy idolatry, crush the ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/viii prayerlessness in the pulpit.htm

Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
... claims for punishment, of a law that should still continue ... When any of them fell
off into idolatry, that covenant ... God prepares men for the communion of saints. ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vii covenanting adapted to.htm

Bourdaloue -- the Passion of Christ
... that the blood of this just man should fall upon ... that the Jews were never further
from idolatry nor more ... "For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/bourdaloue the passion of.htm

Doctrinal and Moral Treatises. Index of Subjects.
... 401]545; pointing out where things should be found ... Felix, [406]548; of saints whether
themselves or angelic ... to none, [497]451; spiritual, decays not, [498]451 ...
/.../on care to be had for the dead /doctrinal and moral treatises index.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... have been contaminated by the abominable certificate of idolatry. ... heaven and shall
seek out all the saints. ... moreover, and stations, no prayer should be made ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm

Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ...
... they were the leaders of the saints, and if ... Count Taurinus, that such men could not
be corrected ... Church, and they demanded that they should receive discipline ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period i the imperial state.htm

Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... as is reported, forsaken the error of idolatry, and embraced ... church, wherein he and
many other saints rest in ... commanded that the priest Cato should be ordained ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... to the will of Christ and his saints who reign ... But, since one who turns to idolatry
does not ... some special testimony, lest what I say should seem unsatisfactory ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... God, so long unknown to human life by reason of the prevalence of idolatry, and
making ... If, indeed, any one should argue that God was not ungenerate till ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm