CHAPTER TWENTY: Peacemaking and Corrective Church Discipline

Peacemaking
Principles of retaining and restoring relationships abound throughout the New Testament. Most of these go back to Jesus teaching on peacemaking in Matthew 18. When a person has been injured by another member of the church a series of steps needs to occur to bring about restoration in the relationship. We have summarized these below in what we call a covenant of Forgiveness. If these steps do not bring about the necessary reconciliation, the followings steps of church discipline are required.

Covenant of Forgiveness
In a fallen world of sinful men, relationships need to be fostered and maintained through emphasizing what we call the Covenant of Forgiveness based on Matthew 18. The following summarizes how this covenant is exercised. Regularly practiced, it will lead to constructive resolution of conflict in the home and the church.

I. THE COVENANT DEFINED:

Forgiveness is a promise and thus falls under the category of a covenant. The covenant of forgiveness is practiced between two parties: a villain (the one causing the hurt through sin) and the victim (the one absorbing the pain). Forgiveness is a gracious act (it cannot be forced and is not owed) on the part of the victim toward the villain and is a threefold promise on the part of the victim:

A. The victim promises not to throw up the crime in the face of the villain in the future.

B. The victim promises not to talk further about the crime to others. In this case the victim would become the villain.

C. The victim promises not to rehearse the incident over and over again in his/her mind "nursing the grudge". This may be the most difficult for someone in this habit. 2 Cor 10:3-5 and Phil. 4:8 show this is possible, although it may take some practice.

II. The Covenant Exercised

The Covenant of forgiveness follows the guidelines in Matthew 18:15-21 and 5:23-24. The following example applies it to a marriage relationship. The situation will be that the husband is the villain and his wife the victim. The same scenario would apply to problems between children and parents, members of the body, etc.

The husband has come home late for dinner for the 5th night in a row. Dinner is spoiled, and the wife is in deep distress. The covenant of forgiveness would follow the following steps.

A. In the likely event that the villain does not know that he is the villain, the victim needs to approach the villain in love. She first removes the logs from her own eye and seeks the good of the villain. (It works better if the villain figures out he is the villain before the victim needs to tell him. But that is no excuse for the victim to nurse the grudge and not approach the villain.). If the villain is in a position of authority over the victim (as in the case of a child) the victim needs to approach the villain with respect (I Timothy 5:1-5).

B. The Villain, hopefully, sees his villainy from this revelatory experience and takes full responsibility for his crime. There is no place for blame shifting, or excusing his actions based on the sin of another. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR SIN! We are responsible to act righteously and also REACT righteously (Cf. Romans 12:17-21). If the villain refuses the light, or excuses or justifies the action, the relationship suffers. In many cases it is necessary to take the next steps in Mt. 18. At any rate, the restitution will be more extensive when the villain does come to repentance. The villain, with humility, says "I WAS WRONG FOR....." NOT "I am sorry". His sorrow or lack of it is not the point, but rather a judgement upon his actions/attitudes. Confession is agreeing with the judge on the judgement. The victim needs to hear this agreement.

C. When the villain sees his crime and takes responsibility for it he also lets the victim cross examine him in order to test the genuineness of the repentance (this is part of restitution). For instance, suppose the wife reproves the husband for his lateness in coming home for dinner. He immediately says "I was wrong for coming home late". But as he has done this 4 nights in a row, she presses him further asking if he understands the disruption and pain it causes her when he does this. At this point she is appealing for a repentance which includes attitude, not simply words. The villain will submit to this if he is humbly repentant and desires to grow through this experience.

D. After submitting to the cross examination and seeing the sincerity of the repentance, the victim, filled with the Holy Spirit and in full knowledge of the great forgiveness God has granted to her, says: "I FORGIVE YOU", this making the covenant with all the above promises. In the process she absorbs the penalty for the crime.

E. The Villain then seeks from the Lord what restitution is required on his part. In this case he might suggest that if he is going to be more that 15 minutes late, he will find a phone and call his wife. He will do this as soon as it is apparent that he will be late, and not put it off to the last moment.

The result of the covenant of forgiveness should be reconciliation, that is, a restored relationship. It must be practiced often in marriage and in the home by all parties, since there will be many opportunities to sin. Failure to be reconciled (even if not in this exact form) results in resentment, bitterness, and fragmentation in the relationships of the family and the church. Without the regular exercise of this covenant of forgiveness, it will be difficult to instill further steps in church discipline.

Questions for Discussing the Covenant of Forgiveness:

1. When have you had reason to exercise the covenant of forgiveness?

2. What promises are made by a victim when forgiveness is granted?

3. What are the responsibilities of the victim? The villain?

4. What barriers can short circuit this process?

5. What will be the end of result of this covenant?

III. Corrective Church Discipline: Further Steps
Corrective church discipline refers to action taken by an assembly or member of an assembly to maintain the purity and love of that community. In Matthew 18:15-21 Jesus lists the steps for corrective discipline. First one member approaches another brother or sister. Then he brings another witness. Finally, the church excludes an unrepentant brother or sister. Every Step of the above is church discipline. Excluding the member is merely the final step done when the erring brother refuses to listen. It is done for the restoration of the brother and the protection of the body.

IV. Why Churches Fail to Exercise Corrective Church Discipline
Many churches throughout the world today fail to carry out their responsibilities regarding church discipline. These churches ignore the clear instructions given in God's Word on this topic. There are many reasons why this is so:

A. Some Are Apathetic - They do not shepherd their sheep and therefore are unaware of habitual sin that may enter into the life of one or more of it's members. In fact, some churches are so lax in the area of shepherding, that they do not know who is a member and who is not a member. Sheep wander in and out like a revolving door. The shepherds of these flocks need to be sobered up to the fact that they will give an account before God for their respective flocks. (I Peter 5:1?4; Acts 20:28?31, Hebrews 13:17)

B. Some Believe It Is "Unloving" - They believe the church is to be "all loving" and therefore never "judge" a brother or a sister. They feel their responsibility is to keep a "loving arm" around the members at all times and eventually God will bring them around. This type of thinking distorts the biblical definition of love. For Godly love does not allow a wayward brother or sister to continue on in their sin. He saves us from our sin (Matthew 1:21). God does not allow for this and neither should the church. (I John 3:6?9; I Cor. 5:12?13; Galatians 6:1)

C. Some Believe It Is "Harsh" - It is a cruel thing to confront someone about their sin. After all doesn't the Bible say "He who is without sin, cast the first stone...?" Doesn't this tell us not to confront others about their sin? Even in the above mentioned passage this is not the case. For Jesus himself went on to tell the woman caught in adultery; "Go now and leave your life of sin." Though confronting someone about their sin may be a difficult thing to do, it certainly instructs us to approach our brother when he is caught in a sin for the purpose of helping him, not hurting him. (Matthew 18:15; Matthew 7:3?5; Galatians 6:1)

D. Some Fail To Discipline Out Of Fear - What will the other members of the church think of such action? If some don't like this they may leave or divide the church. Why rock the boat? This thinking is erroneous and a compromise to the Scriptures. In fact, failure to discipline will do more harm to the church than good. Christ himself rebukes the church of Thyatira for not disciplining as it should have (Rev. 2:20?21). The apostle Paul also refutes this type of thinking; reminding the Corinthians that a little sin will eventually infect the whole church (I Cor. 5:6?8).

E. Some Fail To Discipline Because Of Unbelief - They think they know better than God how to handle the matter. Putting a person out of the assembly and shunning the ones who have sinned is not the answer. They know a better way, a more "loving," "gentle" way to deal with the problem. Yet, Proverbs 3:5?6 clearly teaches us to trust God in everything. His ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. He is the one who knows the best way to deal with His children. It is therefore our responsibility to believe Him and trust Him even in the matters that seem difficult for us.

F. Some Discipline Behind Closed Doors - Some churches attempt to discipline wayward members, but not bring it before the church. They feel that the "leaders" need to handle these matters and that the church is not "mature" enough to handle such things. Matters like this will only upset them and confuse them. Unfortunately, a church misses out on many blessings by adhering to this type of thinking. The church at Jerusalem was struck with fear and learned a tremendous lesson through the discipline of Annanias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1?11). God will use church discipline to not only sanctify the wayward believer, but also to purify the church. Paul certainly expected the entire church at Corinth to join in disciplining the wayward brother (I Corinthians 5).

V. Discipline: Defined and Supported
A. Definitions 1. Church discipline has been defined as: "The due exercise of that authority and power which the Lord Christ, in and by His Word, hath granted unto the church, for its continuance, increase and preservation in purity, order and holiness according to His appointment." (John Owen) 2. By church discipline we are referring to any action taken by an assembly or member of an assembly to maintain the purity and love of that community. Church discipline therefore, takes place constantly in the life of a church. Excluding the member is merely the final step. B. Scriptural Background and Support 1. Old Testament Examples a. Exodus 32:19?35 ? Israelites were disciplined because of idolatry b. Leviticus 10:1?3 ? Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, slain for offering "unauthorized fire" c. Numbers 16:1?35 ? Korah disciplined for rebellion d. I Cor. 10:1?13 ? These things occurred as examples and warnings for us. 2. Christ himself sanctioned church discipline. (Matthew 18:15?20) In fact He became angry with a church for its failure to exercise discipline. (Revelation 2:20?21) 3. The Apostle Paul condoned the practice and gave instruction on the topic on numerous occasions. (I Cor. 5:4?5,11; I Tim. 1:19?20; Titus 3:10; Rom. 16:17; I Tim. 5:19?20)

VI. The Purpose of Church Discipline(1)
Biblical discipline is an expression of love. Therefore it can never be contrasted with love (e.g. by asking, "should we show love or should we exercise discipline?") The biblical opposite of discipline is neglect, which is an expression of hatred. Therefore, the most unloving thing a church can do is "nothing." Neglect of a wayward believer will undoubtedly bring about his demise and perhaps the destruction of the church.

"He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him."
Proverbs 13:24

"The Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son...If you are not disciplined...then you are illegitimate children and not true sons." Hebrews 12:6-8


Biblical discipline does not include harshness, provoking the offending party to anger or acting out of personal irritation. Nor is it to be used by church leadership to suppress opposition or differing viewpoints. (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:19,21)

VII. Results of Church Discipline
When a church carries out discipline as it ought, it will bring about the following results:

A. Safeguards Purity In The Church - Our God is a Holy God who has called a people to Himself to be holy, blameless, without stain or wrinkle (I Cor. 5:6?7; I Peter 1:16; Eph. 5:27). Removing the little bit of leaven ensures that the church will remain pure as God wants her to be. In fact, some in the church of Corinth were put to death by God for coming to the table of the Lord in an unworthy manner. If the church will not take steps to ensure purity, God will take matters into His own hands (I Cor. 11:27?32).

B. Sets An Example For The Other Members - When Annanias and Saphira were struck down by God for their lying, "fear seized all who heard what had happened" (Acts 5:5). Salvation by grace was not a license to sin. In fact, the forgiven sinner has a greater responsibility to live a holy life by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 6:9?13). When one of the members is disciplined by God, it is a sobering reminder to the others of their responsibility as children of God (I Peter 1:15?16). An Elder who is disciplined also serves as a warning to the rest of the assembly (I Tim. 5:19?20).

C. Safeguards The Testimony/Reputation Of The Church - The Church is to be a light in a dark world. It is to be an example and witness of the Lord Jesus Christ to the lost. If we allow sin to enter in and remain, we become ineffective and useless in our efforts. In fact, certain radio and television "ministries" have made a mockery out of the Gospel due to their conduct. Great shame has come upon the church because of such action. Therefore, the church must protect its testimony by dealing with such matters swiftly and completely. (Mt. 5:13?16; I Cor. 5:1,13; I Tim. 4:16)

D. Brings The Offending Party To Repentance And Restoration - The goal of church discipline is to bring the wayward member back to a place of fruitfulness for God. When the offending party is removed from the church he loses the protection and care of the body as well as the privilege of fellowship and the Lord's Supper. The hope here is to bring a sense of loss and pain to the person so that he will repent of his ways and be restored. Such a person must repent of the sin(s) that led to his dismissal before restoration can occur. Fruit of a changed heart must be visible. This will call for proper restitution to be made. The congregation must then forgive and receive back the one who confesses and renounces his sin. (Pr. 28:13; Mt. 7:16?20; Lk. 3:8; Lk. 17:3?4; Acts 26:20)

VIII. Reasons for Church Discipline
Over the ages there has been much debate over what sins merit church discipline. Certainly, some areas are open to question while others seem quite clear according to the Scriptures. Therefore, the discussion in this paper will be restricted to those passages in the Bible which give clear and specific teaching. The passages list those sins, which when practiced, characterize the unregenerate or unbelievers. There is a stiff warning associated to those who continue in these sins.

A.I Cor. 5:11-13: "But now I am writing that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside. Expel the wicked man from among you."

B.I Cor. 6:9-10: "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."

C.Galatians 5:19-21: "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

D.Ephesians 5:3-7: "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person ? such a man is an idolater ? has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them."

E.Revelations 21:8: "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."

F.Revelations 22:15: "Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood."

IX: Implementing Church Discipline
A. Steps of church discipline
1. Matthew 18: 15-18: "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector."

2. The steps involved*
a. One on One shepherding
b. Take two or three for additional witnesses and to give confirmation and warning
c. Tell it to the church
d. Expulsion and handing the person over to Satan

* - Each step is to be handled carefully and prayerfully. Each case is unique and should be handled on its own merits. The goal is to bring repentance and restoration. The church's responsibility is to forgive and receive back the repentant one.

B. Response of the Church (2)
The response of the church depends on the response of the disciplined individual.

1. A person who is disciplined and leaves the assembly ? Such a person must be treated as an outsider or an unbeliever (Mt. 18:17). This person should lose all the benefits of being in the body. Such a person does not have true fellowship with God, and therefore should not have the privilege of enjoying fellowship with God's people (I John 1:6?7). The only contact with these individuals should be for the purpose of bringing them to repentance. However, if the person becomes factious and divisive, there should be no contact with them to protect the flock (Rom. 16:17; Titus 3:10?11). The offending party must repent and show evidence of repentance prior to being restored to the body (Luke 3:8).

2. A person who is disciplined but who does not want to leave the assembly ? This is a "so called brother." A person who does not want to repent of his sin, yet retain the privileges of God's people. Such a person is dangerous, since they represent "old yeast." This person can infect the entire assembly if left unchecked. The Bible tells us to remove the "old yeast," that we may be a new batch without yeast (I Cor. 5:6?7). The Lord instructs an assembly to treat very severely someone who maintains their sin and at the same time professes to be a "brother." He is to be expelled from the church. With such a man we are not even to eat (I Cor. 5:11?13). He should be put out for the protection of the purity of the church and to protect the testimony of the church. In fact, Paul instructs the church to hand such a man over to Satan, so that his flesh may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord (I Cor. 5:5, I Tim. 1:20). The hope is for God to deal with the offender in such a way so as to bring him back to repentance.

3. A person who is under discipline for being unruly ? In some cases, an assembly may need to censure the behavior of a brother or sister. If such a person is unruly or living a disorderly life, he is not to be associated with. The purpose of this was so that the offending party might feel shame and come to his senses. He was not to be expelled from the church like the sinning brother referred to in I Cor. 5. The offense here is not as flagrant and therefore does not call for expulsion from the church. If this discipline moves the brother to further sin, ultimate church discipline could then follow. (II Thessalonians 3:6?15)
4. Discipline of Non?Members ? In some cases it is appropriate to discipline non?members. A "so?called brother" who disrupts an assembly by his conduct or teaching may be "marked out" for the protection of the church. Such a person does not have to be an "official" member of the church to be marked out. Regular attenders, who may not have committed themselves to the assembly fall into this category. It may also be appropriate to "mark out" some radio preachers, T.V. evangelists or self?proclaimed teachers. The discipline here is geared more for the protection of the flock. False teachers and divisive people are to be avoided. (Rom. 16:17-18; Titus 3:10-11)

Problems that Short-Circuit the Effects of Discipline
A. A church fails to persevere in discipline - The church "caves in" and allows the offender back prior to their fully repenting and making proper restitution (Acts 26:20). They begin to question whether or not they have done the right thing and fail to allow the discipline to have its full effect on the person's life.

B. Churches fail to cooperate with other sister churches - A member who is disciplined from one church is gladly received in another church prior to the person repenting. They fail to look into the background of the new?member and find out why they left their prior assembly. I recommend that the elders require letters of commendation or at least make a telephone call to the prior church before receiving transferring members.

C. Relationships in the body are not strong enough to affect the offending member - Perhaps that person was never fully integrated or shepherded into the life of the assembly. In such cases the discipline will not be as powerful. The person will not sense a great loss of fellowship since they never had such fellowship to begin with.

D. Certain members don't stand firm in the discipline - Although the church as a whole stands firm, certain members refuse to stand by the discipline. They continue to fellowship with the offending person and therefore do not allow the discipline to take its full affect. In cases like this, the members who rebel against the discipline must also be warned. If they do not cooperate, discipline may also need to be administered against them.

Key Principles
1. A church must discipline or it is likely not a church.

2. There are a variety of different disciplines which fit particular problems one finds in the church.

3. The processes laid down in scripture must be scrupulously followed for discipline to be effective.

4. Discipline is not for the purpose of controlling the flock by the leaders or getting rid of troublemakers, but for the protection of the body and the holiness of the members.

Questions for discussion
1. Why do churches fail to exercise corrective discipline? Would any of these tend to prevent you from initiating discipline?

2. What is the purpose of discipline?

3. What will be the result when discipline is exercised properly?

4. When should a church administer discipline? Is there any discipline which needs to occur in your congregation?

5. How should the church treat the one under discipline?