
The church is not a refuge for saints but a hospital for sinners. As sinners, we inevitably hurt one another. When that happens, what are we to do? How are we to respond? The Bible is clear about the need for church discipline to deal with sin in the church. Jesus gives us a simple four-step process to follow when we must confront another professing Christian. First, we must go and point out their fault, just between the two of us. If they listen, we have won them over. But if they do not listen, we must take one or two others along with us, so that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If they still do not listen, we must tell it to the church. If they refuse to listen even to the church, we must cut ties with them. This is not meant to be an unloving act but a separation from sin. We can still extend grace and love to the person, but if at this point their heart has not been softened, chances are it might never be.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Respect the dignity of the sinner | Avoid gossip and slander |
The aim is always to regain your brother or sister | Avoid losing relationships with loved ones |
Begin with gentleness and gradually work towards a more severe mercy | Be willing to lose a relationship to a loved one to regain your brother or sister in a healthier relationship |
Don't write off a brother or sister in Christ as a "lost cause" | No one is a lost cause |
The sweetest moments of Christian fellowship come after sin and reconciliation | Be ambassadors of God's grace |
We are to demonstrate God's grace with one another | Be forgiving |
What You'll Learn
- The church must practice biblical discipline towards professing Christians who persist in known sin
- The church should deal with any professing believer who associates with the church and is knowingly and rebelliously disobeying clear commandments of Scripture
- The church should confront a leader in a church who needs to be held accountable
- The church should strive for reconciliation and protect its purity and reputation
- The church should not be a refuge for saints but a hospital for sinners
The church must practice biblical discipline towards professing Christians who persist in known sin
The Bible is clear about the need for church discipline to deal with sin in the church. Since one of the jobs of the church is to demonstrate the goodness and holiness of God, a church with a member who persists in sin must take steps to address the state of that person’s soul as well as protect the church body from being corrupted by unchallenged sin in its membership.
The Purposes of Church Discipline
Toward God
Church discipline vindicates publicly God's honour and holiness. God’s holiness is a dominant theme in the Bible. It means that He is totally apart from and opposed to all sin. In the Old Testament, God told His people Israel (Lev. 19:2), “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” The New Testament repeats that command (1 Pet. 1:15-16). Peter refers to the church as a holy priesthood and a holy nation (1 Pet. 2:5, 9).
Toward the Church Itself
Church discipline restores purity and deters others from sinning. In 1 Corinthians 5:7, Paul commands, “Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened.” Leaven (yeast) is a type of sin. If you put a small amount of yeast in flour, it spreads throughout the entire lump (5:6). Paul is saying symbolically what he also (5:2, 13) states plainly, that the church needed to remove the sinning man so that the purity of the church would be restored and the sin would not spread any further.
Toward the World
Church discipline displays God’s standards of holiness and draws a line between the church and the world. Scripture is clear that the church is to be distinct from the world by being separated unto God, who is holy. I’m not talking about adding legalistic rules for things that are not in the Bible, but rather about being a people who are captivated by the beauty of God in His holiness, so that we willingly distance ourselves from this corrupt world. As 1 John 2:15 puts it, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
Toward the Offender
Church discipline conveys biblical love and seeks to restore the sinner. Some wrongly think that love is opposed to discipline. But the Bible is clear that we cannot love our brothers and sisters in Christ if we do not deal with their sins in the way that God prescribes. Because God loves us, He disciplines us so that we may share His holiness (Heb. 12:6, 10). Because sin destroys people and relationships, to be indifferent toward someone who is sinning is really to hate that person.
The Problems that Require Church Discipline
- The person must be a professing believer.
- The person must associate with this church.
- The person must be knowingly and rebelliously disobedient.
- The person must be disobeying the clear commands of Scripture.
The Procedure for Church Discipline
- A private meeting (Matt. 18:15).
- A private conference with witnesses (Matt. 18:16).
- A public announcement to the church (Heb. 13:17).
- Public exclusion from the church (Matt. 18:17).
- Public restoration when there is genuine repentance (2 Cor. 2:8).
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The church should deal with any professing believer who associates with the church and is knowingly and rebelliously disobeying clear commandments of Scripture
The Bible provides a clear outline for dealing with sin in the church. It is important to remember that the church's role is to demonstrate God's goodness and holiness, and so it must address the spiritual state of its members and protect the church body from the corruption of unchallenged sin.
When dealing with a professing believer who associates with the church and is knowingly and rebelliously disobeying clear commandments of Scripture, the following steps should be taken:
- A private meeting: Jesus instructs that the first step is to go to the person in private and point out their fault. This meeting should be done in a spirit of gentleness and humility, with the aim of restoring the person to fellowship with God. The person should be given the opportunity to listen and repent, and if they do, the process ends here.
- A private conference with witnesses: If the person does not listen, Jesus advises taking two or three witnesses to strengthen the reproof and help the offender realize the seriousness of their actions. This step also provides additional witnesses to prevent false claims or denials later.
- A public announcement to the church: If the person still refuses to listen, the matter should be brought before the church leaders, who have authority over the church. The offender should be warned that their sin will become public knowledge unless they repent.
- Public exclusion from the church: If the person's sin is damaging the reputation of the church, they should be removed from the fellowship. This step communicates that the church loves the person but cannot condone or accept their actions until they genuinely repent.
- Public restoration upon genuine repentance: If the person expresses genuine repentance, they should be forgiven and accepted back into the fellowship. This process may include a time of proving and discipling to help the person grow and avoid the sin in the future.
It is important to approach these situations with grace and love, as church discipline is meant to bring people back into a relationship with God and His Church. The goal is not to punish or shame but to restore and help the person turn from their sin.
Additionally, it is crucial to recognize the difference between private, individual sins and public, ongoing sinful choices. Not every sin requires the same level of confrontation. The Bible provides lists of sins that are considered public and ongoing, such as adultery, sexual immorality, and drunkenness, which are differentiated from private, internal sins such as impure thoughts or personal jealousies.
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The church should confront a leader in a church who needs to be held accountable
The Bible provides clear guidance on how to hold church leaders accountable for their sins. In 1 Timothy 5:19-21, Paul outlines the following process:
- Personal responsibility: Every church member has the right and responsibility to bring a charge against a church leader when necessary. This assumes that church elders are not above evaluation by those they serve.
- Multiple witnesses: To protect leaders from trivial, false, or evil accusations, any accusation against an elder must be supported by two or three witnesses. This process involves vigilant examination and verification of the claims.
- A stricter judgment: Church elders are held to a higher standard than the general congregation due to their greater responsibility and the potential for their actions to impact more people.
- Partiality avoided: There should be no favouritism or partiality when holding leaders accountable. All members, regardless of their position or charisma, should be held to the same standards.
- Accountability for what happened: The focus should be on addressing the sin and restoring the leader, rather than solely on their repentance. Even if the leader stops sinning or expresses remorse, the harm caused and the need to deter others from similar actions must be considered.
- Courage to cause fear: Confronting a leader's sin can create a healthy fear of sin within the congregation, encouraging self-reflection and deterring others from engaging in similar behaviour.
- Trembling at the seriousness: Handling accusations against church leaders must be done with utmost seriousness, recognising the potential for significant consequences if left unaddressed.
In addition to the above, here are some further principles to consider when holding church leaders accountable:
- Pray and assume the best: Before taking any action, pray about the situation and assume the best of the leader in question. Ensure that your concerns are legitimate and not based on personal biases or misunderstandings.
- Write down your thoughts: Clearly articulate your concerns and the evidence supporting them. This will help you stay focused and ensure that your conversations with the leader remain on topic.
- Speak the truth in love: When addressing the leader, speak the truth boldly but always from a place of love. Be prepared for potential defensiveness or anger, but do not be afraid to persist if you know your concerns are valid.
- Follow a progressive approach: Begin by addressing the issue privately with the leader. If that does not lead to resolution, involve other respected and spiritually mature individuals as witnesses. If the issue still persists, escalate it to the church leadership or elders.
- Focus on restoration: Throughout the process, maintain a focus on restoration and redemption for the leader. While there may be consequences for their actions, the ultimate goal is to help them recognise their sin, repent, and return to a right relationship with God and the church.
By following these biblical principles and practical guidelines, churches can effectively hold their leaders accountable, maintaining the purity and integrity of the church body while also demonstrating love and grace toward those who have sinned.
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The church should strive for reconciliation and protect its purity and reputation
The Bible lays out a clear process for dealing with sin in the church, and it is the responsibility of all members to identify and act on sin issues. The steps outlined by Jesus in Matthew 18:15-17 are designed to protect the purity and reputation of the church and should not be ignored.
The first step is for someone with knowledge of the situation, often a pastor or elder, to confront the sinning member in love, expressing concern and explaining the spiritual ramifications if the sin continues. If the member refuses to repent, the original confronter must take along other godly people to visit the sinner again. The presence of others may induce the sinner to repent, and there are witnesses to prevent false claims. This step includes Scripture-based reproof and opportunities for restoration.
If the sinner still refuses to repent, the issue is to be brought before the church. This step brings even more pressure to bear and, if the sinner remains unrepentant, they are to be removed from the church and considered an unbeliever.
The process of church discipline is not meant to be archaic or scary but is necessary and can be a beautiful thing when done in a healthy and loving way. It is designed to bring people back into a relationship with God and His Church and is an act of brotherhood and sisterhood. It is also a way to protect the church from false teachers and doctrinal error.
Church discipline can also create a proper sense of shame for the sinner's actions and save their soul. It is a serious call to self-examination for the entire church and reminds all members of their propensity towards sin and its consequences.
Additionally, the church should strive for reconciliation by respecting the dignity of the sinner, aiming to regain the sinner as a brother or sister, beginning with gentleness, and never writing off a sinner as a "lost cause." The sweetest moments of Christian fellowship come after sin and reconciliation, and the church should demonstrate God's grace throughout the process.
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The church should not be a refuge for saints but a hospital for sinners
The phrase "the church is not a museum of saints, but a hospital for sinners" has been attributed to various sources, including Saint Augustine, Dear Abby, and Pope Francis. This phrase underscores the idea that the church should not be a place where only the righteous gather, but rather a place of healing and restoration for those struggling with sin.
The concept of the church as a hospital for sinners is deeply rooted in Christian theology. Jesus himself stated, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick" (Mark 2:16). This notion is further reinforced by the recognition that everyone struggles with sin and that the church is a place for sinners to find support and guidance. As Romans 3:23 states, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
However, it is essential to understand that the church is not merely a place to dilute the depravity of sins or lessen personal responsibility. Instead, it serves as a place of confession, absolution, and transformation. The church is where individuals confront their sins, seek forgiveness, and strive for a better path. As stated in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
The role of the church in dealing with sins goes beyond individual struggles. Church discipline is an important aspect of maintaining the purity and reputation of the church as a whole. When a member persists in sin, the church must take steps to address their soul and protect the church body from corruption. Jesus provided a framework for this in Matthew 18:15-17, which involves private confrontation, the involvement of witnesses, and, if necessary, telling it to the church. If the sinning member still refuses to repent, they may be removed from the church and considered an unbeliever.
In conclusion, the church serves as a refuge for sinners, providing healing and restoration through confession and absolution. It is a place where individuals can confront their sins and strive for a better path. Church discipline plays a crucial role in maintaining the holiness and purity of the church, protecting it from the damaging effects of unchallenged sin within its membership.
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Frequently asked questions
The church is responsible for practising biblical church discipline to help guide a sinner back to God and the church. The church must also uphold God's standards of holiness and protect its members from the consequences of unchallenged sin.
The first step is a private conversation between the sinner and someone aware of their sin, often a pastor or elder. If this is ineffective, the next step is to involve one or two witnesses to encourage repentance. If the sinner still refuses to listen, the issue is brought to the attention of the church. Finally, if all else fails, the sinner is removed from the church and considered an unbeliever.
The church should confront public, ongoing, and outwardly expressed sinful choices, often referred to as "lifestyle sins." These include open, unrepentant adultery, sexual immorality, drunkenness, and other sins listed in Paul's letters to the early churches.