Church Discipline: A Biblical Perspective

Church Discipline: A Biblical Perspective

By Theodore Jao Quist

 Introduction

In recent times, it appears that many churches have either refrained from disciplining their erring members, lack the resolve to do so, or are unaware of the biblical mandate to maintain order and holiness within the church. Consequently, unruly and sinful behaviours are often tolerated open hands with impunity and arrogance. It is rare to hear of church leaders taking decisive action to eradicate these harmful practices from their congregations.

Church discipline is a vital aspect of maintaining the purity and spiritual health of a congregation. It is a biblical mandate designed to address sin within the church community and restore the erring member, regardless of what function they perform in the congregation, to a right relationship with God and fellow believers.

When church discipline is neglected, it can lead to a decline in spiritual health, a loss of credibility, and a hindrance to the church's mission.

This writeup is a brief explanation that also explores the need for church discipline, the behaviours and sins that necessitate it, and the procedures involved, all while emphasizing the loving and restorative nature of the process.

The Need for Church Discipline

The New Testament provides several reasons for church discipline, highlighting its necessity for the health of the church body:

1. Preservation of Holiness: The church is called to be holy, set apart for God’s purposes (1 Peter 1:15-16). Tolerating unrepentant sin compromises the church's witness and integrity.

2. Restoration of the Sinner: The primary goal of discipline is to restore the sinner to fellowship with God and the church (Galatians 6:1, ESV). Discipline serves as a wake-up call to the erring member.

3. Protection of the Church Community: Sin, if left unchecked, can spread and affect other members (1 Corinthians 5:6-7). Discipline helps prevent the corruption of the entire congregation.

4. Honouring God: By addressing sin, the church demonstrates its commitment to God’s standards and authority (Revelation 3:19).

Attitudes and Sins Warranting Discipline

The New Testament lists specific attitudes and behaviours that warrant church discipline. Notably, Galatians 5:19-21 identifies the "works of the flesh" which include:

- Adultery: Sexual relations outside the bounds of marriage.

- Fornication: Engaging in sexual immorality.

- Uncleanness: Moral impurity.

- Lewdness: Indecent or lascivious behaviour.

- Idolatry: Worship of idols or anything that takes the place of God.

- Sorcery: Engaging in witchcraft or occult practices.

- Hatred: Intense dislike or hostility.

- Contentions: Quarrelling or strife.

- Jealousies: Envy of others’ possessions or status.

- Outbursts of Wrath: Explosive anger.

- Selfish Ambitions: Pursuit of personal gain at the expense of others.

- Dissensions: Instigating division or discord in the church.

- Heresies: False teachings that deviate from Bible doctrine.

- Envy: Resentment towards others’ success or possessions.

- Murders: The act of unlawfully killing another person.

- Drunkenness: Excessive consumption of alcohol.

- Revelries: Wild and noisy festivities.

Other New Testament passages also highlight sins warranting discipline:

- Greed and Covetousness: Ephesians 5:3-5 (ESV) warns against greed, which is idolatry.

- Lying and Deception: Colossians 3:9 admonishes believers to not lie to one another.

- Gossip and Slander: James 4:11 (ESV) speaks against speaking evil of one another.

- Sexual Immorality: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 lists sexually immoral behaviours that exclude individuals from God’s kingdom.

- Division and Discord: Titus 3:10-11 instructs to warn a divisive person twice before rejecting them.

Procedures for Church Discipline

The procedures for church discipline are designed to be loving and restorative, moving from private correction to public action only when necessary.

1. Private Admonition: The first step involves a one-on-one confrontation. The principle in Matthew 18:15 should be applied, which states, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.” The aim is to address the sin privately, maintaining the dignity of the individual and giving them an opportunity to repent without public embarrassment.

2. Small Group Admonition: If the individual does not repent after the private admonition, the next step is to involve one or two others. Matthew 18:16 (ESV) continues, “But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.” This step ensures fairness and provides additional support and perspective.

3. Church Leadership Involvement: Should the individual persist in their sin, the matter is brought before the church leadership. Galatians 6:1 (ESV) instructs, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.” Mature believers, often elders or church leaders, take on the responsibility of counselling and admonishing the erring member.

4. Warning of Disfellowship: If the individual still refuses to repent, they are warned that continued unrepentance will lead to disfellowship. Titus 3:10-11 (ESV) says, “As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” This warning is a serious and final call to repentance.

5. Restricting Functions: While undergoing the process of discipline, the sinning member’s participation in church activities, especially in leading roles such as officiating, preaching, teaching, etc, is restricted. This step prevents the individual from potentially influencing others negatively and maintains the integrity of the church’s ministries. 1 Timothy 5:20 (ESV) advises, “As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.”

6. Public Announcement and Disfellowship: When all reasonable avenues for restoration have been exhausted, the church must be informed of the efforts made to restore the individual. In their presence, the sin and the steps taken are communicated, leading to disfellowship. Preferably, the preacher should be the one who tells the church. Where there are elders, one of them should perform this role. It is not to be considered as an ordinary announcement. 1 Corinthians 5:4-5 (ESV) provides a clear example: “When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.” This step, though severe, is intended for the ultimate good of the sinner.

7. Continued Efforts for Restoration: Disfellowship does not end the church’s efforts to restore the individual. Instead, the church continues to reach out to the person as they would an unbeliever, with the goal of bringing them back to repentance. 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 (ESV) states, “If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.” This approach maintains a redemptive focus, treating the excommunicated person with compassion and love, seeking their salvation.

Conclusion

Church discipline is a crucial and biblical process aimed at maintaining the purity and integrity of the church, restoring the sinner, and protecting the community. It involves a progression from private admonition to public action, always with a spirit of gentleness and love. The ultimate goal is not punishment, but repentance and restoration. Even when disfellowship becomes necessary, the church must continue to reach out to the individual, treating them with the same love and concern as any other person in need of salvation. Through careful adherence to biblical principles, church discipline serves as a means of upholding God's standards and reflecting His holiness within the church.