"With Us or Against Us?": Discerning Kingdom Allies from Spiritual Apostates

“John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, 
and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus 
said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for 
you.”” (Luke 9:49–50, ESV)

“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of 
us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might 
become plain that they all are not of us.” (1 John 2:19, ESV)

Question: In Luke 9:49-50, Jesus rebuked the disciples for hindering 
someone from who ministered in Christ's name, but who "does not follow 
with us". John says those who do not continue "with us" show they are an 
antichrist. How do we resolve this apparent tension?

Answer: While both passages speak of being "with us," they address two 
entirely different situations: apostolic sectarianism versus spiritual 
apostasy.

1. The Context of Luke 9:49–50: Sectarianism vs. Kingdom Unity

In Luke 9, the man casting out demons was genuinely ministering in the 
authority and name of Jesus. The text confirms he was successful; he was 
actively "casting out demons," which requires authentic faith in Christ 
(as demonstrated by contrast in Acts 19:13–16, where false exorcists 
failed).

The issue was not the man’s doctrine or his relationship with Jesus, but 
the disciples' exclusive mindset. John complained, "he does not follow 
with us." The disciples conflated membership in their immediate circle 
(the Twelve) with allegiance to Christ. Jesus rebuked this tribalism, 
establishing that genuine kingdom work done in His name is valid, even 
if the person operates outside a specific human fellowship or 
organization. The man was "for" Christ spiritually, even though he was 
not "with" the Twelve physically.

2. The Context of 1 John 2:19: Apostasy vs. Faithfulness

In 1 John 2, John addresses false teachers—antichrists—who had actively 
abandoned the apostolic church and denied fundamental truths regarding 
the person and work of Jesus Christ (1 John 2:22).

Here, "they were not of us" does not refer to external organizational 
boundary lines, but to essential spiritual life and orthodox truth. 
Their departure was a doctrinal and spiritual separation from the body 
of Christ. They left the apostolic faith to propagate heresy. Their 
departure proved they never possessed genuine saving faith or union with 
the true church.

Summary of Resolution

- Luke 9:49–50 addresses a genuine believer who is outside the 
disciples' immediate group. He was faithful to Christ, though separated 
from the Twelve. Jesus prohibits rejecting a brother over secondary, 
structural, or organizational boundaries.

- 1 John 2:19 addresses apostates who departed from foundational truth 
and true believers. They separated themselves spiritually and 
doctrinally from the truth of the gospel.

Luke 9 warns against rejecting genuine brothers due to sectarian pride. 
1 John 2 exposes those who reveal their unregenerate state by abandoning 
Christ's doctrine and His body.


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Good News †

By dying on the cross, Christ canceled the legal debt of our sins 
against God (Colossians 2:14), and God validated this victory by raising 
Him from the grave (Romans 1:4). God is now able to justly declare 
sinners righteous (Romans 3:26) and spare them from His future wrath (1 
Thessalonians 1:10). This grace is freely given to all who place their 
trust in Him (Romans 6:23). Put your faith in the Lord and call on His 
name to be saved (Romans 10:9-13):

How to be saved: christrose.news/salvation