From the desk of Pastor Ben

Church Discipline – Third Step

“If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church.”     (Matthew 18:17a)

If the second stage of church discipline fails to produce repentance from the sinning member, then the two or three witnesses must bring the matter before the entire church. The first two steps are to be private or semi-private, but this step is to be public, with all church members eligible to be present. The straying member should be brought before the entire congregation to receive further reproof and encouragement to repent. All members who know the person must accept the task to call that man or woman back to holiness and lovingly plead with him or her to repent and avoid having to face the final step of discipline which we’ll talk about tomorrow.

Jesus indicates here, that the place for discipline is within the church. The familiar Greek word for church, ekklesia, occurs here with its basic meaning of congregation or assembly. From the context, it’s clear that our Lord has in mind any local group of redeemed people who assemble in His name.

Such an understanding of “church” removes any justification for believers to take church discipline or any grievances between Christians to a secular court. Paul asked the Corinthians, “Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteousness and not before the saints?” (1 Corinthians 6:1-3). Only believers, no matter in a large church or small, can biblically administer proper discipline at this or any stage.

Ask Yourself:
Jesus calls us to go to great lengths to avoid embarrassing those who are failing to live up to their calling as a Christian or are outright rebelling against all they know to be right. How is even this third phase of discipline driven by a desire to protect the offender from experiencing any more shame?