Church Discipline

[Ddavid from NC]

There existed at one time, almost universally, something known as church discipline. We have regressed to a day and time when tolerance, acceptance, and privacy are more important than purity. While history records abuses in the area of church discipline, have we overcorrected to the point that church discipline is unheard of in our churches. When should we exercise church discipline? Under what circumstances should we not exercise it?

[Guest]

"And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book." Exodus 32:33

"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:" Job 19:25

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." 1 John 1:8

"When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:25-26

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Hebrews 11:6

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

When should we exercise church discipline?

Evermore

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

Rejoice evermore.

Pray without ceasing.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Quench not the Spirit.

Despise not prophesyings.

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Abstain from all appearance of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:14-22

Together

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

1 Thessalonians 5:11-13

Love

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Philippians 2:1-4

Under what circumstances should we not exercise it?

Unless We Are In Christ We Exercise In Vain

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11

Unless We Abide In The Lord We Bear Strange Fruit

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

John 15:3-5

Be Blessed Beloved Of The KING

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. Numbers 6:24-27

Love, Your Brother Joe

[tsth]

When should we exercise church discipline? Under what circumstances should we not exercise it?

Always. Never.

(Sorry, really not trying to be flip. I just wonder if you'd elaborate. Are you asking for specific sins? people? What?)

In His Love,

Suzanne

[OneLight]

When should we exercise church discipline? Under what circumstances should we not exercise it?

Always. Never.

(Sorry, really not trying to be flip. I just wonder if you'd elaborate. Are you asking for specific sins? people? What?)

In His Love,

Suzanne

I'm flip right along side of you, Sister. The Chruch should be looking to Jesus to light the fire once again!

[tsth]

Thanks OneLight,

I just think that this is why the church is not taken very seriously these days, and most certainly, has lost it's place of "example setting". The church was supposed to be the one that was set apart, and for this reason; just like a parent sets apart their OWN children amongst the crowd, especially a good parent, they will call an unruly child aside and discipline, if necessary.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[OneLight]

I see what is happening in the church this way. For many years now, as the home life family has started to deteriorate, they bring this into the church, not on purpose, but because it is who they have become. Families are so busy today, they have to prioritize their life a lot more and , unfortunately, the maturity of their Christian walk may fall below the bills, work, and family stresses. This leads to immaturity in those whom the church leaders should be able to rely on, but can't for that reason. Because of this, the leaders are stretched thin in the ministries that the Church have. They are unable to do all that is in front of them to do. If each of us focuses on becoming a mature Christian, there would not only be more people to assist in these duties, but less issues to discipline over.

Just my thoughts ...

[tsth]

Very interesting. But, who's mimicking who? Is it the church affecting the family, OR the family affecting the church? Which do you think comes first? I would gather from your post that you believe that the family is affecting the church and not the other way around. I DO see your point. It is interesting (not to be redundant) but, the disorder, disrupts on so many levels! Doesn't it? And how the 2 bodies.....church/family, seem to exemplify each other. You can see if the family isn't a strong unit, then neither is the church. If there isn't an order of leadership in the family, then neither is there in the church. If there is unfaithfulness in marriages, then so will there be in the church, on several levels. If the families are in debt and are overspending, then so are the churches. But, the church wasn't supposed to follow suit. It was supposed to set a better/stronger example for the families.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[Ddavid from NC]

Discipline is a word that usually negative in our contemporary culture. It represents the enforcement of a standard. Most people automatically take their mind to the idea of confrontation and the enforcement of penalty on an offense. But discipline speaks more of pushing someone toward a standard. There is no holiness without discipline. Accountability is something in our individualistic society we rebel from vehemently, but something the Bible proclaims. But we have reduced the ministry of church to a lecture and a hug.

[Ddavid from NC]

Salvation is free but discipleship is costly. So many churches judge the viability fo their church by counting noses and nickels. We just don't concern ourselves enough with the purity of the church. We are more concerned about not losing people by requirement. We preach acceptance and providence at the cost of discipline and holiness. John MacArthur says, "We should preach & disciple to disqualify the pretenders."

[Physicsfreak]

I read a great book about church discipline; it is actualy a book for pastors and so on; and it is in dutch. I'll ask the writer (Willem Ouweneel, Dutch professor theologics) if it is allowed to translate several parts of it.