In the Old Testament God commanded that nobody should add to or take away from His word (Deut. 4:2), and that none should turn to the right or the left of His word (Deut. 5:32; 12:32). The New Testament with equal force forbids adding to or taking from or deviating in any way (Rev. 22:18-19; 2 John 9-11). So the landmarks of the Old Testament were not to be removed by the Israelites, and the landmarks of the New Testament are not to be removed in this dispensation. As previously observed, some commands are being ignored by those in the Church, among them church discipline. [we continue from last week]
1. Who should be disciplined? As was pointed out in the previous article, all types of conduct that according to New Testament standards should be included. It is not a question of may or may not, but must (2 Thess. 3:6).
The rebellious should be disciplined. Proverbs 29:1: “He that hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed, without remedy.” Hebrews 3:12-19 warns Christians lest they should depart from the living God, and tells of the destruction of rebellious Israel in the wilderness wanderings. Second Thessalonians 3:11-14 includes busybodies, who “walk among you disorderly” that the righteous should have no company with such, that they may be ashamed.
Romans 16:17 names another class of offenders: “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned and avoid them.” Multitudes are ignoring this warning, and embracing those who are guilty of practicing many things that are contrary to sound doctrine. Some who claim to be part of the family of God are ridiculing the Lord’s church, yet are being used and no effort to expose or correct them by churches. The list is too long to be given here; problems of perversion of truth are many.
What is sin? First John 3:4 says: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” Which law? The law of Christ. First John 5:17 says: “All unrighteousness is sin.” James 4:17 states: “Therefore, to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin,” So there are sins of commission and of omission.
2. Course to pursue in withdrawal. First, how not to do it. About twenty years ago there was a young couple who lived in Cullman, Alabama. They had four small children and during the wintertime there was considerable sickness among them. As a result of taking care of these little ones this young couple became negligent about attending worship. If the elders had simply gone to see them they could have very easily gotten them back into the service. Instead of contacting these young people, they sent them a letter of withdrawal of fellowship. These young people naturally were hurt and offended. A word of encouragement would have saved them. They never returned to worship, but instead for awhile went to an unscriptural congregation. Finally they left that group. The end of the story: Now their children are grown and not one of the children are members of the Lord’s church, and the parents never go to worship anywhere. Those elders will have to give an account to the Lord.
Galatians 6:1 teaches: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of meekness.” So the first thing to be done is to talk to those in sin or error. Then pray with and for them. First John 5:16 says: “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death.” The sin of which one will repent is the sin NOT unto death (1 John 1:7-10).
An effort should be made to save souls in error. James 5:19-20 says that if one converts a sinner from his way he shall save a soul from death (spiritual death, that is). The unruly should be warned and admonished (1 Thess. 5:14). Every reasonable effort should be made to restore the erring. Withdrawal of fellowship should be last resort, that the spirit may be saved in the last day (1 Cor. 5:5).
3. Procedure of Withdrawal. After sufficient efforts of restoration, a letter notifying offenders of possible disciplinary measures should be sent to those in error. Clear, written statement of charges, based upon unmistakable evidence should be given. If this does not bring about repentance, the case should in due time be reported to the congregation, which is to act together in the disciplinary action (1 Cor. 5:1-6; 2 Cor. 2:2-6; Matt. 18:17).
4. Scriptural Requirements. In the Old Testament those afflicted with leprosy were removed from the camp (Numbers 5:1-4). Leprosy has been held as typical of sin, so sinners who cannot be corrected should be removed from the fellowship of the Church. Second Timothy 4:2 says to reprove, rebuke and exhort. First Timothy 5:20 says: “Them that sin rebuke before all that others also may fear.” (this applies to elders also. See verses 17-19). Titus 1:13 says rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in the faith. Ephesians 5:11 says: “and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Have no company with evil doers among church members, but also entreat such as a brother (1 Cor. 5:6-13; 2 Thess. 3:15).
Conclusion: God disciplined the unruly. He teaches and commands discipline in the church. What shall be our attitude toward His will? If the church refuses to discipline the unruly, will God forgive the church? Obey God and leave the results to Him.
-The late Roy J. Hearn was the founding Director of the Memphis School of Preaching and we commend the entire series to you for study—Richard
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