The Church Must Discipline Apostate Christians

The believer in apostasy is not only subject to divine discipline by God but also discipline from the church.

In fact, one of the ways that God disciplines the apostate believer is through the church.

One of the most controversial subjects in the Word of God is that of church discipline.

Too often, it has not been practiced in many churches which has resulted in disastrous consequences in the sense that it has destroyed the testimony of these churches before the world.

Unfortunately, many churches describe their legalistic bullying of other Christians, who did not fit their non-Biblical requirements for a Christian, as church discipline.

This too has produced disastrous consequences resulting in damaged souls who have been abused by these hypocritical, self-righteous people.

Because of this abuse, many churches don’t even attempt to practice it.

However, the teaching of the Word of God says it must and should be administered by the church when appropriate circumstances call for it.

The Bible teaches when and who we are to discipline.

The Lord has ordered the church to administer discipline to those who are living ungodly lifestyles and who are habitually living in rejection of the Word of God.

It is to be administered for the spiritual well-being of these individuals who are living in apostasy.

Church discipline is based upon God’s holiness and is patterned after God’s discipline of the church.

Failure to administer church discipline when it is called for demonstrates a church’s lack of awareness or concern for God’s holiness.

Church discipline is taught in Matthew 18:15-18, Romans 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2:6-11; Galatians 6:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-16; 2 Timothy 2:23-26; Titus 3:10; 2 John 9-11.

The purpose of church discipline is always restoration and not revenge.

The purpose of this discipline is to deliver the offender from sinful patterns of behavior and not to drive him or her away from the fellowship of the church.

The church’s attitude is to be one of love and gentleness (Galatians 6:1-3).

The scriptural procedure for administering church discipline is clear and specific steps are prescribed.

We must first go to the offender in private and seek to correct the situation privately (Matthew 18:15).

Matthew 18:15 “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.” (NASB95)

One must express genuine appreciation for the person who is the offender.

One is to bring out in the conversation their good qualities.

We must listen to the other person’s side of the story and seek the facts in the interest of truth and fairness.

If the person fails to respond, warn them that, according to the instructions of Scripture (Matt. 18:16), you will have to get others as witnesses and return with them to deal with the problem.

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.” (NASB95)

If the first step fails, take witnesses to strengthen the effect of the discipline, preferably spiritual leaders, so that if it has to be brought before the whole church it can be firmly proven and established (Matt. 18:16-17; 1 Tim. 5:19).

Matthew 18:17 “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.” (NASB95)

The aid of church leadership should be sought if the problem involves an offense that is against the whole body or if it is a threat to the unity of the body.

These initial contacts, private and with witnesses, provide opportunity for correction, and forgiveness in love.

On the other hand, if these first steps do not produce results, it constitutes a warning that further action will be taken and provides occasion for serious rebuke (2 Tim. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:12-13; Titus 2:15; 3:10).

If the second step fails, seek reconciliation and restoration through the whole body.

If further action is necessary, it is to be taken before the whole church (2 Thess. 3:14-15; Matt. 18:17; 1 Tim. 5:20).

2 Thessalonians 3:14 and 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 along with Matthew 18:17 indicate that the church is to exercise group disapproval by way of social ostracism (refusal to have intimate fellowship).

If this does not work, the church is to remove the offender from the church fellowship.

This must be approved of and done by the entire congregation (2 Cor. 2:6).

The Lord is exercising this discipline through the church’s actions.

Church discipline should be administered by those who are in fellowship with God and are knowledgeable of the Word of God and filled with the Spirit (Galatians 6:1).

It must be done with an attitude of humility, gentleness and patience, always looking to ourselves that we too might not be tempted (Galatians 6:1-2; 2 Timothy 2:24-25).

It must be done impartially (1 Timothy 5:21).

Those who are disciplined are to be warned and must be appealed to in love (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15; 1 Timothy 5:1-2; Ephesians 4:15; 2 Timothy 4:2).

This discipline, is not restricted to church leaders, but may be done by any person in the body with another if that person is influenced by the Spirit and governed by Him (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

If the person who is confronted does not stop and obey the Word of God, then they are to be publicly rebuked.

No one in the congregation is to fellowship with them.

The purpose for withholding fellowship with the sinning Christian is to make clear to them that they have dishonored the Lord and have caused a terrible disturbance in the body.

The goal of such discipline is always restoration and the person is still to be counted as a brother or sister in Christ (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15).

Also, this expulsion from the fellowship of the church is designed to create fear in the rest of the flock as a warning against sin (1 Timothy 5:20).

Those who do not respond to the discipline are to be excommunicated (Matthew 18:17).

Several examples of church discipline are found in Scripture.

The Corinthian church was to gather together for the purpose of taking action against the offending brother or sister (1 Corinthians 5:4-5; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15).

This is defined by Paul as “punishment inflicted by the majority” (2 Corinthians 2:6).

It must always be remembered that there must be a readiness to forgive (2 Corinthians 2:6-8).

Now, we must be very careful that when administering church discipline that we are not censuring someone for our taboos or pet peeves.

As Keathley states “Scripture, not our opinions or dislikes, must be the guide for what is sin.”

The church is to administer discipline for those whose conduct is disorderly and negatively impacts the testimony of the church before the world (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15).

Discipline is to be used with divisive or factious people causing divisions in the church (Romans 16:17-18; Titus 3:9-11).

Those involved in immorality such as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5 are to be disciplined.

Also, those involved with covetousness, idolatry, abusive speech, drunkenness, swindling, or idle busybodies who refuse to work and run around spreading dissension (1 Corinthians 5:1, 11; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-15).

Those who teach false doctrine are to be disciplined as Paul did with Hymenaeus and Alexander.

It is extremely important that the church understands why discipline must be administered.

First of all, God’s holy character requires it.

Secondly, it is for the testimony of the church.

It also effects the unity and purity of the church.

Lastly, discipline is for spiritual edification and restoration of the individual.