May One Congregation Withdraw From Another Congregation?
Passages such as Eph 5:11 (“have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness”) not only authorize one congregation withdrawing from another congregation, they require such under some circumstances. It is true that just because an individual is authorized to do something, that doesn’t necessarily mean the congregation is likewise authorized (I Tim 5:16, etc.). But if the individual is forbidden from doing something (such as lying), that automatically means the congregation is also forbidden, because (for example) if the congregation lies, that means the individuals of the congregation are lying. Illustrations: (1) If a congregation A is regularly having benevolent fellowship with congregation B (such as what we see in Acts 11:26-30) and then congregation B becomes a “gay church,” should congregation A withdraw that fellowship from congregation B, or must they continue to send benevolent financial support … because “it is wrong for one congregation to withdraw fellowship from another congregation” as some teach? (2) Suppose congregation A is in the habit of announcing congregation B’s gospel meetings, and then congregation B becomes a "church of Satan." Must congregation A continue to fellowship congregation B by announcing their gospel meetings, or should congregation A now withhold that fellowship (II John 10-11)?A related issue is “May A Congregation Withdraw From A Member Of Another Congregation?” The answer to that question is also “yes.” II Thess 3:6 commands us to withdraw from “every brother that walketh disorderly,” not just brothers at the same local congregation. Suppose congregation A is financially supporting an evangelist at congregation B. Suppose then that evangelist becomes a homosexual and won’t repent, and so congregation B withdraws from him. Must congregation A continue to financially support said gay preacher, or can they withdraw that fellowship? If we bid God speed to a brother who is not abiding in the doctrine of Christ, we become a “partaker of his evil deeds” (II John 9-11) – period; it doesn’t matter what congregation he might be a member of.