Church Discipline

CHURCH LIFE CLASS

CHURCH DISCIPLINE

PREFACE: Few areas of church life areas controversial and misunderstood as discipline. The Bible

clearly sets forth principles on discipline. Scripture teaches us that church discipline

is an obligation, not an option. Numerous instances of discipline are cited in the epistles.

Paul instructs the Corinthians to expel the immoral brother. He also tells the Ephesians

to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them”

Eph 5:11. He tells Timothy that he had to deliver Hymenaeus and Alexander over to

Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme 1 Tim 1:18-20

I. WHY IS DISCIPLINE NECESSARY?

A. Jesus gives the authority of the Kingdom to the church. Mt 16:18-20.

Part of this authority is the exercising of discipline.

B. What discipline means:

Teaching, learning, to disciple.

Training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or morals.

Punishment to inflict pain or penalty.

A rule or system of rules which govern conduct or activity.

C. Why is discipline necessary?

Discipline is basically designed to make order and happiness possible; without it there would be

anarchy.

Discipline introduces the principle of submission - my will crosses His will.

Selfishness and self-will bring destruction and misery. Isa 14:12-14

D. Key concepts from the Scriptures regarding church discipline.

The church is responsible for disciplining it’s members.

1 Cor 5:12-13 “For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore put away from yourselves that wicked person.”

2. The purpose of church discipline is two-fold: Not to allow the sin to affect the rest of the body,

and to bring the offending person to a place of repentance.

1 Tim 5:20 “Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.”

3. Forgiveness is commanded for the one who has been offended.

4. Mercy is the desire of God in dealing with all transgressions. The parable of the 1 lost sheep

out of the 99.

5. Church discipline comes in stages to allow time for repentance. Titus 3:10, 11; Mt 18.

This does not necessarily mean a tight legalistic number but rather is a principle that exhausts

all possibilities and gives ample efforts to allow those to repent.

6. We are not to keep company with the expelled one so that he may be ashamed. 2 Thess 3:14.

This word “ashamed” literally means “to turn in,” i.e., to turn one upon himself and so produce

a change of conduct.

7. The disciplined brother is not to be looked upon as an enemy, but warned as a brother.

2 Thess 3:15.

8. The spiritual are to restore the one in a trespass. Gal 6:1.

The goal is to restore the offender. Jas 5:19, 20.

10. Principle of binding and loosing.

Keys are the authority to deal with.

Bind and Loose/permit and forbid - perfect, passive, participle - things that are already in a state

of being bound or loose.

Matthew 16:19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven and whatever you bind that is, declare to be improper and unlawful - on earth must be already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth - declare lawful - must already be loosed in heaven. (Amplified)

The church has the responsibility to live for and enforce heaven’s standards.

Mt 18:18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare to be improper and unlawful on earth must be what is already forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit and declare and declare proper and lawful on earth must be already permitted in heaven.” (Amplified)

Holeman - Heaven sets the standard and earth follows it’s lead.

Without addressing the issues of sin, there is anarchy, chaos, and absence of authority.

Cities are planned, Ghettos happen - To reflect the city of God we must deal with it.

II. SCRIPTURAL PROCEDURE FOR DISCIPLINE

A. Matthew 18:15-20 Not a legalistic number but a principle of exhausting the possibilities.

1. Go to the brother alone - proper attitude must be maintained. Gal 6:1

2. Take two or three others - correction is not rejection.

3. Tell it to the church (leadership) - It is the leadership’s responsibility to announce any form of

discipline. It is only in the wild where people are strung up by people who are not in authority.

This principle is seen in 1 Timothy where Paul instructs leadership in the local church on handling

discipline issues.

B. What are some areas of misconduct requiring Biblical discipline?

Covetous - inordinately desirous, greedy.

Idolaters - inordinately fond of a person or thing.

Railer - abusive language, scornful.

Drunkard - one who habitually drinks.

Extortioner - to obtain from a person by oppression, or abuse of authority.

Fornication/adultery - illicit sexual relationship - 1 Cor 5:1-13

Disorderly conduct - 2 Thess 3:6-15

Heresy - 2 Tim 2:17, 18; Titus 3:9-11