Topical Bible: Unbelief: Believers should Hold No Communion With Those In

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Topical Encyclopedia

Unbelief, in the context of the Christian faith, refers to the rejection or lack of faith in the truths of the Gospel and the teachings of Scripture. It is considered a serious spiritual condition that can lead to eternal separation from God. The Bible provides clear guidance on how believers should interact with those who persist in unbelief, emphasizing the importance of maintaining spiritual purity and integrity.

Biblical Warnings Against Unbelief

The Bible frequently warns against the dangers of unbelief. In Hebrews 3:12, believers are cautioned: "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God." This passage highlights the peril of allowing unbelief to take root in one's heart, leading to a departure from faith.

Separation from Unbelievers

Scripture advises believers to maintain a distinct separation from those who live in persistent unbelief. In 2 Corinthians 6:14-15, the Apostle Paul instructs: "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?" This passage underscores the incompatibility between the life of a believer and that of an unbeliever, urging Christians to avoid forming close, binding relationships with those who reject the faith.

Avoiding Corruption from Unbelief

The influence of unbelief can be corrupting, leading believers away from their commitment to Christ. In 1 Corinthians 15:33, Paul warns, "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" This admonition serves as a reminder that association with those who deny the truth of the Gospel can erode a believer's moral and spiritual integrity.

The Call to Holiness

Believers are called to live lives of holiness, set apart for God's purposes. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, it is written: "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" This call to holiness necessitates a separation from influences that could lead one into unbelief or compromise one's faith.

Engagement with Unbelievers

While believers are instructed to maintain a separation from the practices and beliefs of unbelievers, they are also called to be witnesses of the Gospel. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commands His followers: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you." This Great Commission requires believers to engage with unbelievers in a manner that reflects Christ's love and truth, with the aim of leading them to faith.

Conclusion

The biblical mandate for believers is to navigate the tension between maintaining spiritual purity and fulfilling the call to evangelize. While believers are to avoid close communion with those in unbelief, they are also to be active in sharing the Gospel, praying for the conversion of unbelievers, and living as examples of Christ's transformative power.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 6:14
Be you not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... but the fault is in men, whose unbelief doth not ... those who deny that children of
believers should be baptized ... are in covenant with God"why then should not the ...
/.../ 55 the second helvetic.htm

Promise of the Holy Ghost. --Concluding Words of Comfort to the ...
... the world of sin, and show that unbelief is the ... impression of another nature; that
they should be scattered ... As organs of the spirit, like believers in general. ...
/.../section 277 promise of the.htm

Introduction
... Has their unbelief made the faith of God of no ... the same power, [4802] and baptizing
the faith of believers. ... Church's baptism, to whom, if we should only say ...
/.../cyprian/the seventh council of carthage under cyprian/introduction.htm

Hearken and Look; Or, Encouragement for Believers
... men of strong convictions converted into believers who "stagger not at the promise
through unbelief." From among ... is sure that even if he should actually slay ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/hearken and look or encouragement.htm

Letter vii. You are Now, My Dear Friend, in Possession of My Whole ...
... perplexity to the well-disposed, of unbelief to the ... the Spirit promised to all true
believers, as proved ... of all this, some captious litigator should lay hold ...
/.../coleridge/confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/letter vii you are now.htm

John Bunyan on the Terms of Communion and Fellowship of Christians ...
... the evil of sin; and especially of unbelief (John 16 ... an evil, and a dangerous thing
to hold church communion ... pleaded for the profane, that they should abide in ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/john bunyan on the terms.htm

Treatise i. On the Unity of the Church.
... fall away from the faith, shall their unbelief make the ... among us; thus has the strength
of believers grown weak. ... day of setting forth comes, it should find us ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise i on the unity.htm

A Great Religious Awakening.
... backslidings, their worldliness and unbelief, their pride ... in darkness, that that
day should overtake you ... The sincere believers carefully examined every thought ...
/.../20 a great religious awakening.htm

A Great Religious Awakening
... backslidings, their worldliness and unbelief, their pride ... in darkness, that that
day should overtake you ... The sincere believers carefully examined every thought ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 20 a great religious.htm

Of Bearing the Cross --One Branch of Self-Denial.
... 9. This conflict which believers maintain against the natural feeling ... And lest any
one should regard this as vicious ... of fear is a mark of unbelief, what place ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 of bearing the.htm