2023. január 30., hétfő

Open letter to ICFB - Deny fellowship with false believers

 Dear brothers and sisters in Christ at ICFB,

It is became known that in ICFB one member has divorced from his Christian wife a few years ago and since then he actively nurtures a new relationship with his ‘girlfriend’. Based on my observation and others, he appears to refrain talking about it and pushes away calls for reconciliation or corrections from his fellows, refusing to show any signs of remorse. According to the Scriptures, divorce – when the marriage was made before God – is unacceptable and is a SIN. Jesus clearly warned against divorce. God hates divorce. The Bible says, 



 “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.” (Luke 16:18)

The question is how to deal with that? Apostle Paul writes in the letter of Corinthians urging the other disciples to stay away of such people. The Bible says, 

"But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.” (1 Corinthians 5:11 KJV)

Notice the above, “not to keep company…a man who is called brother...not to eat with a brother be a fornicator." Therefore, I have decided to suspend attending ICFB fellowship gatherings when this person is present on the meetings, until he openly repents and shows signs of remorse. Notice also that this person cannot host any Christian fellowship meetings according to the Bible. Paul clearly writes to Timothy on the basic biblical requirements of a bishop (the one who used to host fellowship meetings at his house in the early church).

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (1 Timothy 3:2-4 KJV)
 

In light of the above, I personally am NOT going to do the following: 
 
1. attend any ICFB fellowship meetings from now on, until this person is openly rebuked and asked to stay away until he repents
2. take any communion together on any meetings with this person attending the same meeting
3. visit the house of this person for the purposes of ICFB fellowship meetings

We, as the disciples of Christ, must make sure to isolate ourselves from those who are willfully sinning and do not intend follow the footsteps of Christ. These people who willfully sin are not true disciples but false believers, rebel goats infiltrating the company of sheep. Fornication – a.k.a. adultery – is unacceptable within the disciples of Christ. So, I urge all of you to consider the above declaration and follow along accordingly, demonstrating similar stance towards anyone within the fellowship. Myself also is included of this, surrendering to the law of Christ and the Scriptures, keeping myself to the same standards. Remember, we are living in a very evil times and the end of the age, when the church becomes lukewarm tolerating sinful behaviour. We must oppose this as true believers.

To the rest of the brothers of sisters in ICFB I remain available in peace and in the love of Christ. Do not hesitate to reach out to me on any of my contacts. 

Yours in Christ, 
Miklos
 
Monday, 30 January, 2023