The Matter Of
Church Discipline
Matthew 18:15-20
When
the matter of church discipline comes up, most people run to one of two
extremes. They either ignore the teachings of our Lord altogether; or they make
church discipline a matter of great importance and rigorously pursue its
exercise. Be sure to take note of the fact that, while it is mentioned in a few
places, church discipline is taught and expounded no where in the New Testament
except in these six verses. It is not a matter of paramount concern. We should
be far more concerned about getting sinners converted and into the
THE OFFENSES DEMANDING DISCIPLINE ARE RADICAL AND, IF LEFT UNSETTLED, DESTRUCTIVE. Sinners
in this world, though washed in the blood of Christ and sanctified by his
Spirit, are sure to offend one another from time to time. But the offenses that
demand discipline are not petty gripes, personality clashes, and silly spats.
It is utterly ridiculous and totally unchristian for grown men and women to be
divided over peevish, insignificant differences. All matters of insignificance are
to be treated as such (Matt.
THE DISCIPLINARY OFFENSES SETFORTH IN THE
NEW TESTAMENT ARE SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFIED. Because our Lord does not name
the offenses that demand disciplinary action, we must look elsewhere to
discover what they are. But they are clearly set before us as :(1.) Financial, Business Offenses Between Brethren (I Cor. 6:1-8); (2.) Divisive, Bickering Offenses (I Cor.
THE STEPS TO BE TAKEN IN DISCIPLINE ARE CLEARLY ESTABLISHED, SO THAT THOSE WHO HAVE OFFENDED MAY BE MOST EASILY WON, WITH THE LEAST DEGREE OF PUBLIC SCANDAL. The object is to win the offender, not to punish him, expose him, reproach him, or destroy him. Therefore, the offense is to be dealt with in the most private manner possible. We must never build walls and fences that make it hard for the offender to get back into the “good graces” of the rest. Always strive for leniency when dealing with the offenses of others. When Christ says, “Tell it unto the church,” that does not necessitate a public hearing! But it does forbid discipline by councils outside the local assembly. Church discipline is a private matter, to be handled by each local church as privately as possible, through her appointed pastors and elders, whose job it is to rule the house of God (I Tim. 3:4-5; Heb. 13:7, 17).
Don Fortner