CHURCH DISCIPLINE
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. 1 Cor. 5:4-5
1. This instruction pertaining to Church discipline is probably
the most neglected of all.
2. God has a plan for the salvation of the alien sinner; He
also has a plan for the erring brother.
a. We stress His will concerning the alien, and often ignore
His will concerning the erring brother.
3. It is equally important to follow the teaching concerning
the discipline in the church as to follow the teaching
concerning the terms of admission into the church.
B. We will ask and answer four basic questions concerning
discipline: (1) Is the church responsible? (2) Who are the
subjects for discipline? (3) What manner of action should be
taken? (4) What is to be done after the withdrawal is made?
I. IS THE CHURCH OBLIGATED TO PRACTICE DISCIPLINE?
A. The church in Corinth was to discipline the one who was guilty
of fornication. 1 Cor. 5
1. The expression, "when you are gathered together" in verse 4
shows that Paul is commanding church action.
2. The purpose of the action is seen in the expression, "that
the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord." (vs. 5)
a. Discipline is the Biblical way of letting the fallen
brother know that he is considered in the same way God
considers him--out of fellowship and in need of
repentance.
b. It is desired that the sinner may realize his condition
and "may be ashamed" and be lead to repentance. 2 Thess.
3:14
c. When disciplinary action is viewed properly, as the
divine plan for saving the erring, one cannot keep from
urging that it be done.
B. In the book of Revelation, the church at Pergamos was told to
repent because it had those who held to false doctrines. Rev.
2:14-16
1. Please notice that the whole church was told to "repent."
2. All were responsible for allowing such to remain in their
midst, and their repentance would involve some immediate
disciplinary action.
3. This passage in Revelation is another which teaches the
church is responsible.
C. In Matt. 18:15-17, Jesus showed that the church is responsible
in discipline.
1. First, all private matters should be dealt with privately.
2. Most problems can be corrected in this manner.
a. One who reveals the faults of another without first
discussing them with that person, becomes a backbiter
and talebearer. Prov. 11:13; Psalm 15:1-3; 2 Cor. 12:20
3. Some hate to admit their faults and may not be convinced by
your word alone.
4. Jesus shows that witnesses are to be taken to establish the
truth in the matter.
5. If that does not bring him to repentance, Jesus said, "tell
it to the church."
a. The church must then deal with the problem. The church
is to cause the offender to hear.
b. If he will not listen to the church, he is to be counted
as a heathen and publican.
D. When Paul dealt with the wicked man in the church in Corinth,
he said, "Know ye not that a little leaven leavens the whole
lump?" 1 Cor. 5:6
1. In the next verse, he said, "Therefore purge out the old
leaven, that you may be a new lump..."
2. He concluded the chapter by saying, "Therefore put away
from yourselves that wicked person." 1 Cor. 5:13
3. The leaven of ungodliness and wickedness will eventually
destroy the entire congregation.
a. If sin is looked upon lightly, it will make it easier for
the weak and babes in Christ to fall.
b. However, if they know they are subject to stern rebuke,
they will fear.
c. 1 Tim. 5:20 -- The command here in the light of other
passages is, "Those who sin before all, rebuke before
all."
4. Open sin in the church cannot be overlooked. As soon as it
is known, it must be dealt with.
II. WHO ARE THE SUBJECTS FOR DISCIPLINE?
A. See chart: SUBJECTS FOR DISCIPLINE.
B. To my knowledge the chart gives all that are specifically
mentioned in the N.T. as subjects for discipline.
1. However, are those who are guilty of those sins the only
ones that can be withdrawn from?
2. Wouldn't liars, thieves and murderers also be included?
3. The word "disorderly" (2 Thess. 3:6) means "unruly,
insubordinate, out of rank" and includes any brother who
persists in sin and refuses to repent.
a. It includes those who wilfully neglect the assemblies of
the saints and will not repent.
b. They are deviating from the prescribed order set forth in
Heb. 10:25.
c. They must be dealt with in the same manner as others
who are guilty of sin.
d. Members of the church should visit and encourage those
who are unfaithful in attendance.
(1) If the weak show signs of repentance, indicating
they will try to do better, this is all that needs
to be done at the present time.
(2) The encouragement should be continued as long as
they are willing to receive it and as long as they
are improving.
(3) However, if they have a rebellious attitude and
indicate they will never improve, or they will never
return, discipline from the church is necessary.
C. Many churches are neglecting their responsibility in this
matter in a terrible way.
1. For example, members, through weakness, began forsaking
the services only once in a while and as time continued,
they began forsaking often.
2. Still later, as they become hardened through the
deceitfulness of sin, they completely forsake all the
services and their apostasy becomes complete.
a. Sadly, far too often nothing is said or done.
b. Their name is simply removed from the church directory
and they are forgotten.
3. It is true that sinners are responsible for their own
actions, but the church is responsible as well.
a. If these weak members were dealt with in the beginning
as they should have been, many souls could have been
saved from death.
D. Who are the subjects for discipline? All who sin and will not
repent are subjects for discipline.
III. WHAT MANNER OF ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN?
A. The law of Christ mentions several things which must be done in
dealing with the erring brother.
1. We should apply the best wisdom our past experiences and
study can provide when dealing with the erring.
2. We must keep our main purpose before us. James 5:20; 1
Cor. 5:5
3. His conversion may require rebuke or strong teaching; yet,
it must be done in the spirit of kindness and love. Gal.
6:1; 2 Tim. 2:24-26
a. At no time should the unfaithful be given reason to think
that his brethren are prompted by any other motive than
a sincere love for his soul.
B. As we have already shown, any private matter should be dealt
with privately. Matt. 18:15-17
C. Some sins become evident before the church, e.g., a fornicator,
or a drunkard, and must be handled by the church.
1. If a church has elders, they should attend to the problem.
They are watchmen in behalf of souls and shepherd the flock.
Heb. 13:17; Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2-3
2. If a church does not have elders, these matters must be
dealt with in the business meeting.
a. Those in the business meeting should select some of the
strongest (the spiritual, Gal. 6:1) to visit the sinful.
(1) Sending a babe in Christ or a weak member might
do more harm than good.
(2) For example, one that is weak in attendance, should
not be sent to rebuke those who are not attending
faithfully.
b. The question arises, "How often should they go and see
those whose sins are before the church?"
(1) With the heretics or factious we should go no more
than twice (Titus 3:10), but with others we should
be more longsuffering.
c. The church should give the sinful brother ample time to
repent; there is no need for extreme hastiness in this
matter.
d. After all of this effort, if the brother will not repent,
the church must withdraw from him. Consider again 1 Cor.
5:4-5
(1) He must be marked or identified. Rom. 16:17; 2
Thess. 3:14
(2) His name should be mentioned, as shown by Paul's
example. 1 Tim. 1:19-20
(3) In other words, a public announcement should be
made so that there is no misunderstanding as to
what the church is doing.
IV. WHAT IS TO BE DONE AFTER THE WITHDRAWAL IS MADE?
A. After the withdrawal is made, each individual member of the
church has the following responsibilities toward those who have
been withdrawn from.
B. See chart: AFTER THE WITHDRAWAL IS MADE.
C. The purpose for this action is clearly disclosed in 2 Thess.
3:14.
1. This is the only means we have of restoring those who refuse
to repent.
2. The Scriptures do not suggest nor allow any other means of
punishment or censureship to cause them to be ashamed of
their sin.
Concl.
A. If the Scriptural procedures are carefully administered it will
accomplish good.
1. The sinful man that was mentioned in 1 Cor. 5 repented
when proper action was taken. 2 Cor. 2:6-7
2. This shows that the Lord's plan will work.
B. Let no one say that discipline will not do any good and let no
one be opposed to it.
1. It may not lead every sinner to repentance, but it frees the
faithful from their blood. Ezek. 3:18-19; Acts 20:26-27
C. When those who are withdrawn from repent, we are to forgive
and confirm our love toward them.
1. In all this we prove that we are obedient to the Lord in all
things. 2 Cor. 2:8-9
Chart #1
SUBJECTS FOR DISCIPLINE:
1. The disorderly - 2 Thess. 3:6
2. Those who will not work - 2 Thess. 3:11
3. The busybodies - 2 Thess. 3:11
4. The divisive (factious ASV) - Titus 3:10
5. Those who cause divisions and offenses - Rom. 16:17
6. Those who do not abide in the doctrine - 2 John 9-11
7. The fornicator - 1 Cor. 5:11
8. The covetous - 1 Cor. 5:11
9. The idolater - 1 Cor. 5:11
10. The reviler - 1 Cor. 5:11
11. The drunkard - 1 Cor. 5:11
12. The extortioner - 1 Cor. 5:11
13. Those who will not repent. Matt. 18:15-17
Chart #2
WHAT MANNER OF ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN?
1. Elders should attend to the problem.
2. Those in the business meeting should select some of the strongest
to visit. Gal. 6:1
a. Must keep main purpose before us. James 5:20; 1 Cor. 5:5
b. Must proceed in kindness and love. 2 Tim. 2:24-26
3. Must be longsuffering, giving the sinner ample time to repent. An
exception - Titus 3:10
4. After all this effort - 1 Cor. 5:4-5
a. Marked or identified. Rom. 16:17; 2 Thess. 3:14
b. Names mentioned. 1 Tim. 1:19-20
Chart #3
AFTER THE WITHDRAWAL IS MADE:
1. Note who they are - Rom. 16:17; 2 Thess. 3:14; Phil. 3:17-18
2. Do not keep company with - 2 Thess. 3:14; 1 Cor. 5:11
3. Do not eat with - 1 Cor. 5:11
4. Do not receive into your house - 2 John 10
5. Do not bid him God's speed - 2 John 10-11
6. Count him as a heathen and a publican - Matt. 18:17
7. Avoid - Rom. 16:17; 1 Tim. 6:5; 2 Tim. 3:5
8. Reject - Titus 3:10
9. Count not as an enemy but admonish as a brother - 2 Thess. 3:15