Systematic Theology III The Doctrine of the Church The Discipline of the Local Church

The Biblical Authority for Church Discipline “The authority or the biblical right to administer church discipline goes back to Jesus Christ Himself as He gave the initial outline of church polity for the yet-future organization, which He promised at Caesarea Philippi about a year before the cross. In Matthew 16:23-28, Jesus gives three new, momentous items of special revelation: The church is announced for the first time in the history of progressive revelation (Matt 16:18); Jesus’ coming death in Jerusalem is forthrightly and openly asserted for the first time (Matt 16:21); And He mentions for the first time His second advent, when rewards for sacrificial cross-bearing would be allotted (Matt 16:24-27)” (McCune, p. 289). Matt 18:15-20 spells out the procedure for church discipline; 1 Cor 5:1-13 gives us a NT example.

The Biblical Authority for Church Discipline “Not only has a Church the right to exercise discipline, in the milder forms of fraternal labor, for the removal of evils, but to the extreme of excision it is the imperative duty of every Church to administer this needed and salutary part of government. The Church is unfaithful to itself, to its members and to its living Head, that neglects it. Not that it should seek opportunity to find faults, or to deal with the weak and the wandering, but it should be faithful to do this when occasion calls for it” (Hiscox, as cited in McCune, p. 290).

The Purposes of Church Discipline To Remove the Offender and thus Restrain Evil “Paul termed the excision of the sinning member of the church at Corinth (1) a ‘[deliverance] to Satan for the destruction of his flesh’ (1 Cor 5:5) and (2) the removal of the wicked man from among them (1 Cor 5:13). This is also likened to purging out the remnants of the leaven of the sin and sinner to preserve the soundness of the whole lump (vv. 6-7)” (McCune, p. 290). To Restore the Offender and Heal the Offense “In the Lord’s instruction on discipline, He emphasized that the personal and group confrontation and counseling involved was to get the brother to repent, and, in so doing, to win the brother…If the excommunicated person is a true believer, he will be buffeted by Satan and come back into fellowship with Christ and the local assembly” (McCune, p. 291). To Uphold the Purity and Good Name of the Church “Discipline was to serve as a warning to others and to demonstrate that the church regards such sinful behavior as contrary to its nature and therefore completely unacceptable and intolerable” (McCune, p. 292).

Offenses Requiring Church Discipline Personal, Unresolved Sins between Brethren “If your brother sins, go and reprove him in private” (Matt 18:15). Gross Sins among Professing Christians (1 Cor 5:11-13; 6:9-10) False Doctrine Disorderliness, Strife, and Disruption of the Fellowship “This is not necessarily immoral behavior in the usual sexual sense but would include failure to adhere to the church covenant, constant agitation of the church over some issue (including a false doctrine), failure to abide by the decision of the local body on some matter, and the like” (McCune, p. 293). Arrogant Deportment For example, Diotrephes in 3 John 1:9 I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. Paul says to Timothy: 1 Timothy 1:3 3 ¶ As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus, in order that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines,

The Laws Governing Church Discipline The Law of Love John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” The Law of Repentance and Forgiveness Luke 17:3-4 "Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' forgive him." The Law of Restoration Galatians 6:1 Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Jesus is speaking in John 13:34. Church discipline is be governed by love for the sinning brother, not animosity.

The Procedure of Church Discipline Private Offenses Should be Handled in Private Matthew 18:15 “And if your brother sins, go and reprove him in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.” Private Counsel with Witnesses Matthew 18:16 “But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed.” Compare Deut 19:15. A Public Hearing in the Local Church Matthew 18:17a “And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church;” Public Exclusion by the Local Church Matthew 18:17b “And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax-gatherer.”

The Procedure of Church Discipline Public Offenses A public offense “is not an offensive act committed against an individual, of which that individual might complain. It is an injury to the cause of piety, a scandal to the Christian name and profession. In such a case, one member is no more interested in or wronged by it than another. The whole body is equally concerned and equally responsible. And while the ‘steps of private labor’ taken by any member in such a case would be appropriate, and might be effective, yet it is obligatory on no one more than another to take them” (Hiscox, as cited by McCune, p. 296). “In a public offense, the knowledge of the sin is not confined to a few private parties. The sin is a truly public scandal that has been genuinely verified” (McCune, p. 296). Some of these offenses could require immediate excommunication.

Next Time: The Doctrine of Salvation Election to Personal Salvation