We have some questions on church discipline
Question:
Hello brother Jeffrey,
I trust you have been in good health this while, and your family too. I am happy to reach out to you after some time has passed.
I delivered a teaching on I Corinthians 5, which deals with church discipline over ongoing sin. This teaching aroused questions, and I would like some enlightenment on them:
- This is a real-life case shared by a brother: A brother had an affair with a sister that led to pregnancy, which he then had her abort by sponsoring it. Later, he announced plans to marry a different sister, not the one he’d sinned with. When she found out, she decided to report their immoral act to the church. But the brother, sensing her move, hurried to the church first, confessing the affair and asking for forgiveness—though he only did this after realizing she wanted to report him. The sister never planned to report until she saw he was using her and abandoning her, then marrying another. So, based on biblical standards (Matthew 18:17), should the church forgive him or disfellowship him and the sister he sinned with?
- A brother has been sleeping with married women and sisters, even within the church. When his sin was exposed, he quickly reported himself to the church. Should the church withdraw from this brother or forgive him?
- When a congregation withdraws a brother or sister, is it in order to inform other congregations about this development? Not necessarily to instruct the congregation on how to receive it, but to inform them and allow them to decide how to handle it. Because a brother who is withdrawn can go to another congregation and participate fully -- until discovered, which is common around here.
- If the church is allowed to judge certain matters within her through discipline, how can we relate that to Revelation 22:11?
- The concept of sin: Does it mean sin is part of us, even though we are Christians, such that God has to discipline us because of sin (Hebrews 12:6)?
All these are about disfellowship. Some hold the view that discipline should be left to God on the last day, using Revelation 22:11 as a proof text.
Thank you, sir.
Answer:
It would be beneficial to start by reviewing the purpose of withdrawal. See: "Withdraw Yourselves."
People cannot read the minds of other people. We have to go by what they say and what they do. Withdrawing is not done because someone sinned, but because they refuse to leave their sin. I understand that you don't trust these people because they waited until they realized they were caught. However, you have to accept them at their word (Luke 17:3-5). I would make it very clear, especially to the adulterer, that they have proven that they know they have sinned. You expect to see fruit worthy of repentance in their lives (Matthew 3:8). Discussion of repentance must be made with the men and the women. The sex was consensual, and both the man and the woman accepted the abortion. Remember that the goal is to rescue people from their sins. It is not to make you feel better for having done something.
Congregations need to accept that just because someone shows up at the door, it doesn’t imply they are faithful brethren. When dealing with someone they don’t know, it would be prudent for any congregation to inquire about their background and verify the information. There are people who lie and mislead. To ignore this simple fact is dangerous and naive. Congregations have control over their membership. The congregation in Jerusalem was reluctant to allow Saul in as a member, and for good reasons, until they had evidence that Saul had truly converted (Acts 9:26-27).
When a Christian or congregation knows that a wayward member is going elsewhere, concern for other brethren demands that some warning be given.
“This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme” (I Timothy 1:18-20).
“for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica” (II Timothy 4:10).
“Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words” (II Timothy 4:14-15).
This has caused some problems in our lawsuit-happy country. Congregations have been sued for libel when they sent out warnings regarding members they had disfellowshiped. Yet, it still can be done. Notice that Paul’s warnings told us who were causing problems, but the details of the problems were left unstated. Those who lost lawsuits did so because too much information was relayed. Notably, the examples of warnings are in letters that went to individuals. I’m not certain if we should conclude that it should always be done that way or not, but certainly, in touchy situations, a discreet letter to key individuals will at least give people a warning.
"And he said to me, 'Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy. Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done'" (Revelation 22:10-12).
Revelation 22:11 is sandwiched between two warnings that things foretold in Revelation would be occurring soon. Those who are wicked will ignore the warnings Jesus has given, but the righteous are encouraged to remain faithful. How people respond to the warnings doesn't change their realities. Jesus will reward people according to what they have done (II Corinthians 5:10). The warnings were given, and the Lord will be just in holding people accountable.
It is a mistake to claim one verse cancels out the commands found in other verses. The church is commanded to judge those within its membership (I Corinthians 5:12).
John clearly stated that sin remains a struggle for Christians. "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (I John 1:8-2:1). See "Being a Christian Will Not Save You."
