Question 1

What is the purpose of church discipline?

Accepted Answer

Deuteronomy 8:5“Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you for your own good.”Proverbs 3:11-12My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.Proverbs 29:15To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.Church discipline is similar to God’s discipline or parental discipline. It should be done from a desire to restore rather than to condemn. “Discipline” and “discipling” are partners. While individual members might be disciplined for their own good, there is also a broader purpose to help church members live together in harmony so the church can continue its mission to share God’s message. It is especially important for the integrity of the church and for their witness to the world. Such discipline is based on accountability and consequences.James 5:20You can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.Church discipline is for the benefit of the one being disciplined. It should occur when those in the church see a member committing flagrant sin. The discipline is to help the erring member see his or her sin, deal with it through repentance, and return to the fellowship.1 Corinthians 5:6Your boasting about this is terrible. Don’t you realize that this sin is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough?Hebrews 12:15Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.Church discipline is for the benefit of the church body. Whenever people live, work, and serve together, conflict is inevitable. Allowing sin to go unchecked will allow it to fester. Restoring one member heals the whole body, just as healing one part of your physical body restores a feeling of wholeness to your whole body.

Question 2

Why is church discipline necessary?

Accepted Answer

Titus 1:13This is true. So reprimand them sternly to make them strong in the faith.Church discipline is necessary to maintain strong faith and sound doctrine. Faith neglected can become faith lost.2 Thessalonians 3:11-15We hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. . . . Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.Church discipline is necessary to correct disorder that comes from an undisciplined lifestyle. One dysfunctional member can disrupt the whole body.1 Timothy 5:20Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others.Church discipline is necessary as a warning to others to live obediently and restore relationship to God and others. Discipline always warns about unpleasant consequences.1 Corinthians 5:3-5, 13Even though I am not with you in person, I am with you in the Spirit. And as though I were there, I have already passed judgment on this man in the name of the Lord Jesus. You must call a meeting of the church. I will be present with you in spirit, and so will the power of our Lord Jesus. Then you must throw this man out and hand him over to Satan so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself will be saved on the day the Lord returns. . . . God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”Church discipline is sometimes necessary to remove the cancer of evil. If a member is living in sin and refuses to repent and turn away from that sin, that person must be removed from the congregation before the evil infects the whole body. Otherwise, the church would be endorsing sinful acts. This is painful surgery, but most surgery is painful. It is important to note that this passage is speaking about those who willfully sin against the words of Scripture as a lifestyle. They refuse, over a period of time, to obey God’s Word. This is not talking about an individual act of sin where repentance is expected and comes quickly.

Question 3

When is church discipline appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 18:15-17“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.”Believers are instructed to attempt to address sins and offenses on a personal level before turning to church discipline.2 Timothy 3:16All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.Scripture should be the guideline and basis for determining areas requiring discipline.Romans 16:17Now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.1 Corinthians 5:1I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you—something that even pagans don’t do. I am told that a man in your church is living in sin with his stepmother.2 Corinthians 13:1-2This is the third time I am coming to visit you (and as the Scriptures say, “The facts of every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses”). I have already warned those who had been sinning when I was there on my second visit. Now I again warn them and all others, just as I did before, that next time I will not spare them.1 Timothy 1:19-20Some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples. I threw them out and handed them over to Satan so they might learn not to blaspheme God.2 Thessalonians 3:6-10Now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received from us. For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you. We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow. Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”2 Thessalonians 3:14-15Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.Titus 3:10If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them.The sins listed in these examples (blasphemy, heretical doctrine, disobedience, divisiveness, sexual immorality, laziness, and unruliness) are not meant to be a complete, definitive listing. The commonality among these examples, however, is that the believer’s sin is outwardly evident, the sin is dishonoring Christ publicly, the sin is being continually practiced over time, and the individual rebelliously refuses to respond in repentance after being verbally confronted. Church discipline for this person is essential.

Question 4

How should church discipline be handled?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 18:15-17If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.1 Corinthians 5:1, 3-5, 13I am told that a man in your church is living in sin with his stepmother. . . . Even though I am not with you in person, I am with you in the Spirit. And as though I were there, I have already passed judgment on this man in the name of the Lord Jesus. You must call a meeting of the church. I will be present with you in spirit, and so will the power of our Lord Jesus. Then you must throw this man out and hand him over to Satan so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself will be saved on the day the Lord returns. . . . God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”Remember that church discipline is for the benefit of the one being disciplined. Therefore it begins with the personal confrontation between the individuals involved. It moves to the next level only if the person refuses to respond with repentance and making the situation right. As the problem person persists in his sin and refuses to repent, church discipline becomes more and more public to the whole church body.2 Timothy 3:16All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.Scripture should be the guideline and basis for determining areas requiring discipline.2 Corinthians 2:5-11I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him. I wrote to you as I did to test you and see if you would fully comply with my instructions. When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.Church discipline should not be too lenient, but must correct mistakes needing correction; nor should it be too harsh and not respond in forgiveness.Galatians 6:1Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.2 Timothy 4:2Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.Hebrews 12:15Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.Church discipline should be administered in humility and love, not in anger, but with gentleness, patience, and instruction. The goal is not to punish but to restore. Anyone can make mistakes or act wrongly and need discipline, so no one should discipline others and think themselves immune.

Question 5

What is the balance between discipline, forgiveness, and restoration?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 18:21-22Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”Discipline seeks forgiveness, restoration, and growth in Christ. It should be redemptive.2 Corinthians 7:8-11I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right.Church discipline is not motivated by vengeance but is driven by a desire for restoration and healing. Church discipline is discipling, helping another learn to follow Jesus Christ.1 Timothy 1:20Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples. I threw them out and handed them over to Satan so they might learn not to blaspheme God.In cases of discipline, the church should always maintain the hope of repentance, but some people may need to be given over to Satan (in other words, we stop pursuing them with the discipline process). Only after being abandoned to experience the tragic feelings and consequences of being a pawn of Satan and a slave to sin will they understand their error and return to God to experience the freedom Christ gives.2 Corinthians 2:7-8Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.Discipline is always meant to result in forgiveness. The fruit of good discipline is true repentance and restoration on the part of the sinner, and forgiveness and comfort on the part of those administering the discipline.

Church Discipline