The Issue of Church Discipline
Introduction to the Christian Emergency League
Purpose and commitment to addressing neglected issues.
Focus on glorifying the Lord and proclaiming biblical truths.
Matthew 18 and Church Discipline
Explanation of the Matthew 18 process.
Steps in the process:
Private confrontation of sin.
Bringing witnesses if repentance is not achieved.
Involving church leaders/elders.
Excommunication if repentance is still not achieved.
Emphasis on the role of elders in adjudicating and carrying out church discipline.
The Role of Elders in Church Discipline
Biblical foundation for elder-led discipline.
Importance of taking holiness seriously.
Involvement of heaven in church discipline decisions.
Interview with Pastor Calvin Lindstrom
Challenges of church discipline in the context of Christian Liberty.
Key scriptural references (Matthew 18, 1 Corinthians 5, Titus 1).
Examples of church discipline cases.
Importance of consistency and follow-up in the membership process.
Importance of Church Discipline
Discipline as an act of love and discipleship.
Necessity for churches to practice discipline to maintain holiness.
Critique of churches that neglect discipline.
Discussion of the qualifications of pastors and elders as outlined in Titus 1.
Conclusion
Encouragement to take church discipline seriously.
Call to action for church leaders to fulfill their biblical duties.
Invitation for feedback and further discussion.
| Bible Verse | Reference | Context/Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew 18:15-20 | "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 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.' 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. 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. Again I say to you that if 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." | Outlines the process of church discipline, including private confrontation, bringing witnesses, involving the church, and excommunication. |
| 1 Corinthians 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 the evil person.'" | Addresses the issue of church discipline, particularly dealing with unrepentant sin within the church and the necessity of removing the evil person from the fellowship. |
| 1 Corinthians 6:1-2 | "Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?" | Discusses the issue of Christians taking disputes to secular courts rather than resolving them within the church. |
| Titus 1:7-9 | "For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict." | Highlights the qualifications and responsibilities of church elders, including the duty to discipline and rebuke those who contradict sound doctrine. |
| Hebrews 12:6 | "For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives." | Emphasizes that discipline is an act of love, comparing God's discipline of believers to the church's responsibility to discipline its members. |
