Church Discipline

Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Second Edition) B. Definitions of Purity and Unity

the purity of the church is its degree of freedom from wrong doctrine and conduct, and its degree of conformity to God’s revealed will for the church.

Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Second Edition) B. Definitions of Purity and Unity

the unity of the church is its degree of freedom from divisions among true Christians.

Matthew 18:15–20 ESV

15 “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. 16 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. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Goal of Church Discipline

Restore the Believer Going Astray

Galatians 6:1 LSB

1 Brothers, even if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, each of you looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.

Keep sin from spreading

Hebrews 12:15 LSB

15 seeing to it that no one falls short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;

Protecting the Purity of the Church and Honor of Christ

What sins should require church discipline?

Sins listed by the Bible

Divisiveness

Marital Unfaithfulness

Blasphemy

Laziness

Teaching heretical doctrine

Grudem Definition: all sins that were explicitly disciplined in the New Testament were publicly known or outwardly evident sins

Other Potential Examples:

Lying

Abusive Behavior

Slander

Gossip

How should you do church discipline?

Matthew 18:15–20 LSB

15 “Now if your brother sins, go and show him his fault, between you and him alone; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. 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. 17 “And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as the Gentile and the tax collector. 18 “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. 19 “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. 20 “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”

As quietly as possible

When things escalate

Elder involvement

Difficulty of Church Discipline

Practical Points

What most church discipline should look like: Quiet

How healthy to be at a church were the members have their sin addressed, and there is actual repentance

If you are a Christian you should want other Christians to be honest about your sin

Maybe you come off wrong, maybe you have a sinful habit you are unaware of

For a church that takes the Bible serious, sin is serious

You will see very unhealthy and destructive people in the church simply because of a failure to practice church discipline

It is always our responsibility to speak when we have been wronged or when there is sin. It is not right for a Christian to stay passive in this area.