- Church discipline is based in doctrine upon divine discipline,
and is therefore an act of caring love (Heb.12:5-12 and Mt. 18:11-14)
- Discipline is always remedial in intent, for both the fellowship
and the individual (I Cor. 5:5-7).
- It is possible to argue for a distinction between public
and private sin areas, although this is ambiguous. (Compare Mt. 18:15-17 to
Titus 3:10)
- If we accept the distinction in #3, private offenses should
be dealt with privately initially (Mt. 18:15-17), but public offenses can
be dealt with corporately from the beginning if the church is endangered.
Of course, public offenses can also be dealt with privately. Representatives
from the elders, deacons, or other workers should represent the fellowship
in the case of public offenses.
- Failure to practice church discipline at all is a direct
violation of God's will (I Cor. 5:2). At the same time, there is considerable
latitude allowable in the interest of the believer.
- Failure to discipline victoriously and righteously can result
in a deterioration in the attitude of the church toward willful sin. (This
is the "little leaven leavening the whole lump" in 1 Cor. 5). It
can also result in a build-up of frustration and anger within the group when
members see their friends being exploited. Such built-up anger can result
in destructive outbursts when people lose self-control.
- Study the following passages and determine what each teaches
on the subject of church discipline. Then enter them into your Bible cross
reference system.
Mt. 18:15-17
Rom. 15:14
I Cor. 5
Rom. 16:17,18
I Cor. 11:29-32
II Cor. 2:5-11
II Cor. 7:8-12
Gal. 6:1
Col. 3:16
I Thes. 5:14
II Thes. 3:6-15
I Tim. 1:20 (Compare II Tim. 2:17,18)
I Tim. 5:1,2
I Tim. 5:19,20
II Tim. 2:24-26
II Tim. 3:16,17
Titus 1:13
Titus 3:10
III Jn. 9,10
Rev. 2:2, 14-16,20 s
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