Jesus gave us a model for church discipline (Matt 18), so how does this work in the local church?
Church Discipline
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Jesus gave us a model for church discipline (Matt 18), so how does this work in the local church? The Bible tells us that we are to be “having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people” (2 Tim: 3:5). That obviously means being disfellowshipped. That’s where Jesus begins the process of trying to bring back your brother or sister and desire that they would repent of the grievous sin they are committing. First of all, it must be a serious sin like sexual immorality or breaking the law or emotional, verbal or physical abuse. The church is to be holy and the church has been given the responsibility of presenting to Christ a more holy Bride (Matt 18:15-20). The desire is to bring them to repentance and not to cause shame.
Step One
Jesus tells us, “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” (Matt 18:15). Jesus’ and our desire should be to “gain your brother,” not cut them off right there. This means you go alone to them and in private talk about your concerns about what they are doing and that those who practice these things will not inherit the kingdom (1 Cor 6:9-10; Gal 5:21). Tell no one else about this sin until you’ve visited them and confronted them about it. Pray over this whole process.
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Step Two
If your brother or sister refuse to hear you or repent of this, or as Jesus said, “But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established” (Matt 18:16). Notice Jesus said take one or more with you the next visit and not a posse or vigilante group. Any more than three people can seem intimidating to the person being visited. The reason you take another person or two with you is for them to make certain it’s serious enough to bring before the church or it’s really a non-issue. If it is serious (like adultery), then both of you or the three of you can agree that this is serious enough to bring before the church unless it is repented of.
Step Three
[3]So if step two doesn’t bring the believer to repentance, or as Jesus said, “And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector” (Matt 18:17). Clearly that means they are to tell the church the reason the person is being disfellowshipped, but this is done in the prayer and desire that they repent. If they do, the Apostle Paul admonishes us that “if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted” (Gal 6:1). Paul also adds that “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” (1 Cor 5:5). The idea is to have his or her hedge of protection removed (the church or flock) so that they would be brought back to repentance and back into the sheepfold. The purpose of all church discipline is to bring them to repentance and return to the church, and once back, receive them as you would have before they were disfellowshipped (Phil 1:17).
Jesus’ Authority
Jesus gave the church the authority to discipline members who are sinning grievously, saying, “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matt 19:18), and that where “two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matt 18:19-20). This verse does not mean you have a church if only two or three are there. The context is church discipline and not a church service. Jesus agrees with the conclusion of the church in these matters. What’s bound on earth is supported in heaven.
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Why Disfellowship?
Second Thessalonians 3:6, 14 says, “But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us….And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.” And for specific sexually immoral sins, it says we are “not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you” (1 Cor 5:11-13). These commands to disfellowship members are not from church tradition or just a good idea we came up with.
A Necessary Command
[5]I don’t have a ton of experience discipliningg church members and it’s surely not one of my favorite things to do, but the church must have these three major foundations; the Sacraments (baptism, communion), the Word preached and church discipline. Jesus must have thought it necessary (Matt 18:15-20). Even though it’s painful and often heartbreaking and we must bathe it in prayer and remain humble, lest we too fall. We should be praying for the repentance of the sinning believer. Church discipline is not meant for drinking a few beers, or smoking cigarettes or some other thing committed outside of the body, but about serious criminal behavior and sexual immorality. Sexual immorality is the one sin that is directly against the body (1 Cor 6:18).
Controlling a spouse is the same thing as kidnapping, like not allowing them to leave home or to take or make phone calls, so other illegal activity like this is where the church must move in, and if needed, contact law enforcement. Church’s are commanded to discipline members when necessary over things like known violence, unlawful activities, abusive and hateful language, emotional and verbal abuse, sexual immorality (like adultery or fornication; sex outside of marriage). If the church fails to do this, it defies the imperative command of Christ and of Word of God (i.e., Paul’s writing on church discipline).
Conclusion
I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.
Here is some related reading for you: Church Discipline: How the Church Should Discipline Members [6]
Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.