93638 Church Eldership and Leadership Handout 4

Posted byJonathan Kobayashi

Church Discipline

As in the natural family, so in the spiritual family. Discipline is needed for the following reasons:

  1. Discipline is basically designed to make order and happiness possible. Without it there would be lawlessness and anarchy (Judges 18:1; 19:1; 21:25).
  2. Discipline introduces the principle of submission; my will submitted to or crossing the will of God.
  3. Selfishness and self-will bring destruction and misery in any home (Isaiah 14:12-14).
  4. Discipline exercised in love gives individuals and a congregation a sense of security; saves a backslider from hell and prevents worse problems.
  5. Discipline is needed to uphold the moral standard of God’s word, maintaining the holiness of God in the Church.
  6. Discipline guides the immature, stabilizes the weak, and causes people to come to maturity in the Lord.

Two Primary Purposes for Discipline

  1. Discipline unto restoration (Galatians 6:1; Revelation 3:19; Hebrews 12:5-11).
  2. Discipline unto condemnation (I Corinthians 11:29-32; II Corinthians 2:6-8, 11).

Discussion about the two purposes.

What offences (infringements) require Church discipline?

  1. Doctrinal Offence
    Remember the role and responsibility of elders concerning doctrine.
  2. Behavioral Offence
    Offences against the members of the body of Christ (congregation). This has to do with lifestyle, not just singular occasion, or incident. This is within the family and not outside. God will judge those outside of the body.
    • Fornicator
    • Covetousness
    • Idolater – literal or spiritual idols. Ephesians 5:5, Colossians 3:5, Romans 1:23
    • Verbally Abusive
    • Drunkard
    • Extortioner
    • Disorderly conduct
    • Divisionary – Romans 16:16-18
    • Sectarianism
    • Unforgiving attitude
    • Not discerning the body – 1 Cor 11:23-32
    • Witchcraft, Sorcery
    • One refusing to be reconciled to fellow believer. Matthew 18:15-20, 5:21-26
    • Lying to the Holy Spirit Acts 5:1-11

    Administration of Discipline

    1. Sovereign Discipline
    2. Spiritual Members
    3. The Whole Church

    Principles of disciplinary judgement

    1. By and according to the Word (John 12:47, 48; II Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 2:2; Matthew 24:11; II Peter 2:1).
    2. Balanced with the mercy of God (James 2:12, 13; Luke 17:2-4; Leviticus 19:17).
    3. In truth and righteousness (Zechariah 7:9-10; Ezekiel 44:17-24; Isaiah 32:1, 16; 16:5; Psalms 122:5; 101:1). Mercy and truth should meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other, in Divine balance.
    4. In Divine love (I Corinthians 13; Revelation 3:19).
    5. In a spirit of meekness and humility, realizing one’s own humanity (II Timothy 2:25; Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 6:4).

    Steps in discipline

    Key passage: Matthew 18:15-20

    1. Privately
    2. Privately with witnesses
    3. Publicly in front or church
    4. Excommunication (1 Timothy 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 5:4; 2 Corinthians 2:6; 1 Samuel 2:25; 1 Corinthians 1:10.)