Church Fellowship Paragraphs Rough Editing Version

Embed Doc
Copy Link
Readcast
Collections

CommentGo Back

Download

ROUGH DRAFT ON SEPARATION AND DISCPLINE STUDYEzekiel

1

described the church as a river. From early ages it has grown and deepened.Originating in the “east country” of Palestine, the home of Abraham, Moses and later Jesus, it later descended into the “desert.” There, wandering for twelve hundred andsixty years, it was protected until it could make its way on to the ocean where the“abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall cometo thee.” Isaiah 60:5.

2

As the family of faith, the church of God has ever been the object of His supreme regard.Faithful souls from the time of Abel to the time of Joseph Bates have formed one body,though they have been viewed as many bodies by historians.John also viewed the church of all ages as a unit. Not a succession of womenrepresenting Jews and Christians and Adventists, but one woman, giving birth to her Savior, then hiding for ages, is finally represented as the commandment-keeping remnant.Paul described that ethereal body as a vine with branches added and branches removed. Not as a second planting, but as an engrafted section, the Christian Gentiles were addedto the body just as the unbelieving Jews were cut off. And the new congregations, lestthey feel too secure in their engrafted state, are warned that they too may be “cut off” if they do not continue to partake of the Vine’s goodness. See Romans 11.The church is God's fortress. His city of refuge, which Heholds in a revolted world. Any betrayal of the church is treacheryto Him who has bought mankind with the blood of His only- begotten Son. From the beginning, faithful souls have constitutedthe church on earth. In every age the Lord has had His watchmen,who have borne a faithful testimony to the generation in whichthey lived. These sentinels gave the message of warning; andwhen they were called to lay off their armor, others took up thework. God brought these witnesses into covenant relation withHimself, uniting the church on earth with the church in heaven.He has sent forth His angels to minister to His church, and thegates of hell have not been able to prevail against His people.

3

These pictures of the woman and the river, while lifting us to the perspective of heaven,draw us at the same time far away from how the church appeared on earth. Just after Solomon, the twelve tribes gave place to the two only by a separation that led to theeventual destruction of the idolatrous ten. Remnants of the two tribes, found among thosethat had been taken into captivity, were regathered into a commandment-honoring bodyshortly before the advent of Christ. As the iniquity in their cup reached the brim, theywere removed from position of responsibility. The gospel was given to the newlyorganized Christian church.The Christian body was devastated by a schism that left only a minority with the LivingWord. This had been threatened and the threat was not idle. To the early Christian churchJesus warned “Remember therefor from whence you are fallen, and repent and do thefirst works; or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of his place.” Revelation 2:5.Most of the Christians at last consented to lower their standard,and a union was formed between Christianity and paganism. . ..There were some, however, who were not misled by thesedelusions. They still maintained their fidelity to the Author of truth and worshiped God alone.—GC p. 43.Both the compromising majority and the faithful minority claimed to be established onthe foundation of apostles and prophets. Numerous sects arose in the fourteen centuriesafter Christ, each claiming to have “the truth.” But the calling out of the 16

th

centuryformed a stronger body, the Protestants. This movement, fracturing innumerable times,has left little that looks like a “vine.” The Advent Movement sprang from a regatheringof part

of these fragments

, and then gave birth to its own various movements. Several of these are Sabbatarian. And new ones promise to arise in the future.Yet there has ever been one woman. One river. One vine. “There is one body, and oneSpirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Ephesians 4:4-5.If history were our only guide, we would have reason for perplexity. It was wrong for Moses to separate from the Israelites, but right for them to separate from the mixedmultitude. David was called to replace Saul, not to start a new nation. But God ordaineda division in the generation following him. It was right for Jesus to separate from theJews, but wrong for Paul to separate from that body in which the “mystery of iniquity”

1

See chapter 47. This vision is referred to in

Acts of the Apostles

, p. 13;

Publishing Ministry

, p. 157;

Testimonies for the Church

, vol. 7, p. 171.

2

In the vision of Ezekiel, the “river” comes to the sea “and everything that liveth, whichmoveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come shall live.” One may wonder why the word

river

of the previous verses suddenly becomes plural. The Hebrew is more particular. Itsays in this place “the

two

rivers.” Perhaps in the future events will so shape our understanding that this will make perfect sense.

3

Acts of the Apostles, p. 11was already working. It was right for Piedmontese to separate from the communion thatwas oppressing the world church. Luther condemned the Hussites for being schismatic,then removed his condemnation when he realized that he was on the same road. It wasright for James White to call others away from the Protestant body, yet wrong for a seriesof men that followed him to call others out of the growing Advent movement. Will italways be wrong for men to do that?Thoughts like these seemed to have gripped Ellen White after her experience inMinneapolis. Regarding that experience she wrote in 1889— I was confirmed in all I had stated in Minneapolis, that areformation must go through the churches. Reforms must bemade, for spiritual weakness and blindness were upon the peoplewho had been blessed with great light and precious opportunitiesand privileges. As reformers they had come out of thedenominational churches, but they now act a part similar to thatwhich the churches acted.

We hoped that there would not be thenecessity for another coming out.

While we will endeavor tokeep the "unity of the Spirit" in the bonds of peace, we will notwith pen or voice cease to protest against bigotry.—1888Materials, pp. 356-357. (Ms. 30, 1889).This statement, unique in several ways, is perhaps a fitting introduction to this study.How may a corrupt church be reformed? How may a straying one be led back to the wayof life? How many members or leaders must be indifferent before the church is foundwanting? Why was there not a calling out in the 1850’s? Was there a calling out in the1920’s? These are the questions that we here explore the Bible in an endeavor to answer them aright.—Eugene Prewitt, January 24, 2002

How the Study is Organized

(Explain here the order of the Study)Coming Out (Righteous Separation)

Not Yoked with Unbelievers

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for whatfellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? 2Corinthians 6:14Are we yoked with an infidel when we hire him to paint our house? When we work together to paint his house? Families and other corporate bodies that act in concert are judged as units. They have their own cups of iniquity. We are not to join ourselves tosocieties or organizations whose principles run contrary to our own. The thought addedhere is that if these organizations are not intrinsically belieiving, then their very unbelief makes them militant against our faith. Not the group that chants “down with God! God isdead!” but the business partner that feels that it is just plain foolish to think that God is so particular about His law, will tie us down.A believer is not granted permission to bind his interests in contract with an unbeliever.Our principles are at war with his, and a commitment to a joint venture runs the risk of our principles being misrepresented. Our mutual customers and associates will likely notsee past their dealings with my organization when dealing with me personally. Mywitness will be weakened by their poor treatment by a partner that had not Jesus in hisheart. Starting a business with a man who cares not to pay tithe, to keep the strictesthonesty, or to respect the Sabbath day places us where we are sure to be tempted. If Godwill dwell in us, He must have full-control.

Come Out From Among Them

Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And whatagreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are thetemple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them,and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be yeseparate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and Iwill receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.The right application of this text is exactly what we are seeking for in thisstudy, and to make it now would be nearly begging the question. But weshould observe some principles before we go on.Who is the “Them”? They are “unbelievers.” In the context, they areidolatrous infidels. In what sense were the Christians to “come out” fromthem? They were to separate from intended marriages, though not fromconsummated ones. They were to avoid binding business agreements. But the passage can not be justly limited in application to worshippers of idols. Pauldrew it from the fountain of Isaiah’s pen. The fuller passage reads:Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no uncleanthing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear thevessels of the LORD. For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by

flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israelwill be your rereward. Isaiah 52:11-12.Here the passage describes a pre-meditated and deliberate separation from thefellowship of a body of men, a religious body if the pronoun “her” isunderstood to refer to a woman. Those that depart bear God’s holy vessels of truth.As found in the second letter to the Corinthians, the command to “come out”is united with promises that can not be excelled.

4

The reward for leaving thefellowship of the unbelievers is fellowship with Jesus and the Fatherhood of God. Our sacrifice of our dearest friends brings the reward of deepestintimacy with our God. “I will receive you,” He bekons. The “LordAlmighty”, our Father, says “You will be my sons and daughters.”But our continued fellowship with unbelievers prevents that closestcompanionship with God. It must be surrendered. “Know ye not thatfriendship with the world is enmity with Christ? Whosoever would be a friendof the world is the enemy of Christ.”Here it is appropriate to write a word about reading extended arguments. If you will always be reading into what is written, you will not be reading well.Read to gather little treasures of truth, not big conclusions. This method willdo more than guide you safely. If your opinions today are right, it will build amore solid foundation for your well-placed but ill-founded beliefs. And if your opinions are mistaken, it will be the only way that you will be ablegather enough arguments at one time to outweigh the mass of faulty logic youhave gathered over your life-time.Imagine that a man has a large balancing scale. On the ground, to one side hehas three stones, and in another pile eight others of various sizes, some larger,some smaller than the three. He places the three stones on one side of thescale, and then reaches for the largest rock in the second pile. With this on thescale, he watches. It leans immediately towards the three. So he takes thelarger rock and puts it behind him. Then he picks up two other stones fromthe second pile and weighs them against the third. These also a raised into theair by the heavier three. So these two are placed behind him. Next he tries thefour smallest rocks. The balance seems indecisive for just a moment beforecoming down once more on the side of the three. He can tell without placingthe eight rock on the scale that it is lighter than the three, so it is placed behind him without so much as a trial. If you were to ask the gentlemenwhich pile was more weighty, you might imagine him answering, “I had thesame question. I have weighed them again and again. This pile of three has been heavier every time.”That is how truth is often rejected. Sixty arguments in its favor are weighed,one by one, against the five arguments that appear to favor a falsehood. Thefive are kept together and the sixty are rejected one at a time so that the poor judge never feels that he is doing wrong. Sixty times he balances one text nextto five others that seem to contradict it. Each time he takes the testimony of the five as better than the one. His reasoning may well help him find a good buy as he is checking prices between stores, but it will not lead him throughthe fogs of his misconceptions of Bible truth. A student must postpone judgement until the evidence is in. When more evidence comes in, the case

4

A most beautiful invitation to sinners is found in a Review and Herald article entitled“Practical Remarks” and bearing the date April 19, 1870. Part of it follows: -It is the strength of the entire being that God requires. He requires of you a separationfrom the world and the things of the world. "Love not the world, neither the things thatare in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." It isseparation from the love of the world that is required; and what is given you in its place?"I will be a father unto you." Do you have to separate in your affections from friends?Does the truth require you to stand alone in your position to serve God, because othersaround you are not willing to yield to the claims that Christ has upon them? Does itrequire a separation in feeling from them? Yes; and this is the cross which you must bear,which leads many to say, I cannot yield to the claims of the truth. But says Christ, If anyman love father, or mother, or brother, or sister, more than me, he is not worthy of me.Whosoever will come after me, and will be my disciple, let him take up his cross andfollow me. Here is the cross of self-denial and sacrifice; to separate in your affectionshere from those who will not yield to the claims of truth. Is this too great a sacrifice tomake for him who sacrificed all for you? Here are the conditions specified by God. If wecomply, he says to us, I will be a father unto you, and will receive you, and ye shall besons and daughters of the Lord Almighty, members of the royal family, children of theheavenly King, and heirs of an immortal inheritance that is incorruptible, and that fadethnot away, reserved in Heaven for you. What a relationship is this? . . . . Do you call this agreat sacrifice, to become members of the royal family and children of the heavenlyKing, elevated by the truths of God, fitted up for the society of heavenlyangels in the kingdom of glory? What is this, in truth? It is true exaltation. It is thatwhich will ennoble every time. The truth of God is ennobling, it is elevating, it isrefining, it is sanctifying. Tell me not of any exaltation out of Jesus Christ.may require reopening.

Causes of Separation

Paul, following the example of Jesus, often began his work in a new city in a local Jewishsynagogue. When two months of this had passed at Corinth, there came a time when theapostle chose to separate his followers from the synagogue. For two years longer theymet in a local school. What triggered the withdrawal from the local congregation of Jews?

Body Hardened against Truth by Cherished Unbelief

Acts 19:9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not . . .he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputingdaily in the school of one Tyrannus.This was not after two meetings or a week-end seminar. Paul had been laboring for months and a natural separation was occurring among the hearers. Some were softeningand putting forth tender buds. Others were withering under the influence of their ownunbelief. Like weeds in the garden, these hardening ones were sure to have a perniciousinfluence on the warmer ones. Paul made the separation here, not by asking the false-hearted to leave, but by taking the true-hearted with himself. By that expedient heescaped a power struggle and made the transition as easy as possible.

Body Speaking Evil of Truth to the “Multitude”

Acts 19:9 But when divers were hardened, and . . . spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, andseparated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of oneTyrannus.It is the same story, but with a different feature highlighted. In all likelihood the offendingcrowd had manifested unbelief from near the beginning. But as time went on their opposition moved from one step to another. First they fought against the truth in their own mind. Then they whispered their concerns to each other. To that point the meetingswere yet conducted in the synagogue. But then the adversaries began to make publicaccusations. Their opposition threatened to discourage would-be converts, and that wasthe sign for removal.

Schisms from God and Schisms from Men

But that righteous schism orchestrated by God’s happened at about the same time asseveral less noble. Jude wrote of men who had “crept in” to the young Christianchurches, while it was yet immature and unaware. They “despised” dominion and werenot afraid to speak evil of “dignities.” They brought an unholy influence to thecommunion service, apparently unconcerned about the judgements that threatened thoseeating “unworthily.” But they did not remain in the fellowship of the church. “These bethey who

separate themselves

, sensual, having not the Spirit.” Jude 4, 8, 12, 19 and ICorinthians 11:29, 30.If we are to identify false schisms on a Bible basis, this passage requires us to evaluatethe spirit of the those creating a new faction. They had no just fear of breaking the ninthcommandment.

5

John says about this class. “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if theyhad been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that theymight be made manifest that they were not all of us.” I John 2:19-20. See Acts 15:24.“For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be mademanifest among you.” I Cor. 11:19. The false hearted are manifests, in the end, by their exodus, the true hearted by their stiff standing for truth.

False Teachers “Among You”

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as

5

“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” Statues in the Old Testamentand church policies in the New Testament were created to guard the sanctity of this partof God’s law. The reader may be familiar with the idea of guarding the edges of theSabbath. There is a period of time when the Sabbath is dawning that the observer,whether for clouds or trees or hills, may not be certain whether or not he is in Holy time.If he is most anxious to keep every minute holy, he will begin his holy rest before thequestionable time comes. So with the law against bearing false witness. If we fear to break it, we will never indulge the spirit of “speaking evil of dignities.” We will fear tospread reports for fear that they may have grown and may not be entirely factual. Rather than break God’s law, we will let stories of wrong die in our own breasts. We will not pretend to read hearts. Consider a few texts. “For the terrible one is brought to nought,and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off, that make a manan offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn asidethe just for a thing of nought.” Isaiah 29:21-22. “For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. ‘Report’ say they, ‘and we will report it.’” Jeremiah 20:10. Mark this fact,Paul was the subject of slander, and that slander was confirmed by eye witnesses, yet itwas slander still. Romans 3:8. The fact that a story has two witnesses no more makes it atruth than the fact that Jesus was accused by two witnesses made His crucifixion just.True commandment keepers will always be afraid “to speak evil of dignities” in thechurch, and even of their more humble brethren.

there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring indamnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall followtheir pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 2 Peter 2:1-2.Acts 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.The false prophets of the old dispensation have their parallel in the false teachers of thenew. Their work is represented as beginning secretly and as prospering. Their disciples“draw away” from the body, but this does not prevent the church from feeling the illeffects of their work. The world looking on judges that the church producing suchoffspring must herself be lacking. By them the “way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”From the passage in Acts we gather that the leaders in this predicted falling away would be leaders, for when Paul says “of your own selves” he is giving a charge to the elders.This great “falling away” was predicted again in 2 Thessalonians 2.Undoubtedly, if you were to ask the leaders of these mistaken schisms, you would findthem to be earnest and religious men. They came out thinking that they were doing Godservice by separating from falsehood. One might say that Moses was tempted to do thesame, but the Bible testifies that God tempts no man. His invitation by Jehovah to leavethe Israelites to their sins was a test.

Call to Separation may be

Test

of Affection for Erring Body

Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot againstthem, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee agreat nation. Exodus 32:10And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for allthe signs which I have shewed among them?. I will smite themwith the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee agreater nation and mightier than they. Numbers 14:11-12Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I mayconsume them in a moment. Numbers 16:21God saw that the children of Israel, especially the mixedmultitude, were continually disposed to rebel, and, by their works, provoke him to destroy them. He knew that they would murmur against Moses, when in difficulty, and grieve him by their continual rebellion. He proposed to Moses to consume them, andmake of him a great nation. Here the Lord proved Moses. Heknew that it was a laborious and soul-trying work to lead thatrebellious people through to the promised land. He would test the perseverance, faithfulness and love of Moses, for such an erringand ungrateful people. But Moses would not consent to haveIsrael destroyed. He showed by his intercessions with God that hevalued the prosperity of God's chosen people more highly than agreat name, or to be called the father of a greater nation than wasIsrael.

– Spirit of Prophecy

, vol. 1, p. 245The Exodus was written as a story that was to be a symbol of the end of time. I Cor.10:11. The repeated experience of Moses is a prophetic hint that calls to “come out” andto “stand apart” in the history of the end-time church may be a similar test. Further confirmation of this may be found in the nature of the intercessory prayer that proceedsthe pouring out of the Latter Rain in Joel 2. See verse 17.

--++-

Self Discipline

TheChurch ofGodisorganized forserviceand was notintended tobeaparenttomembers largelyunconcerned fortheirown spiritualwell-being. Theenergies ofthe churchareto be lavished on theneedsofthose thatarewalking “aftertheflesh.”Then fromwhereoughtthose efforts toarise thatkeep the membersofthechurch fromstraying leftorright?Thatburden isplaced on themembers. Paulwrote“Ibeseech you therefore, brethren,to presentyourbodies a living sacrif ice.”Theself-discipline needed topresentthesacrifice warranted an illustration fromthe Olympic games. SeeICor. 9:24.

Authority

Theauthoritygranted tothe churchbyJesus dwarfsthatofthe world’sboasting generals.Ihave presented the issues ofauthority,both inthe churchand in thestate, in anotherpaperandthereaderisreferredtothatpaperfora thorough treatmentofthe subject. Afew pointsparticularlyforcefulintheirapplication to churchdisciplineand order mustbepresented herenonetheless.

Schism

perhaps, tothemwhen theywroteof“certain which wentoutfromus” troubling theotherchurches. Acts15:24.

The Fellowship of Dining Together

Dining is, inmanycultures,asymboloftruestfellowship.Symbols, whiletheymaynotreflectreality(aswhen an unregenerateperson isbaptized), are for ms ofcommunication. And justas wearenotto letan idle word slip,we oughttoguard ourselves fromsaying byourrepresentativeactionsthings weoughtnot. Jesusrecognized,in Hismessage to Laodicea, thesymbolicmeaning ofdining.And Paulwrote“ButIsay,thatthethingswhich theGentiles sacrifice,theysacrifice todevils,and notto God:and Iwould notthatye should havefellowship with devils.”ICor.10:20. Heis speaking hereofeating the foodsso sacrificed. We arenotto appeartohave friendlycommunication with spirits.

Other Symbols and the Seriousness of Making the Right Statements

Being cutofffromGod’speople, whetherbystoning orbanishment,carried dreadfulconsequences.Onemightexpectthatsuch a judgementwould follow theconviction ofa murdererora rapist. Butfarlessercrimes, as theyareestimated bymodern morality, broughtthisseveresentence. Infact, thepunishmentforgoing into thetempleafterbeing ceremoniallydefiled,say byinterring yourchild,would exceed thatoftheman thathad stolen youroxen. Theman thatassaulted and bloodied hisneighborwould sufferless fromhispunishmentthan theman that“compounded”an anointing oilforcommon purposes afterthe formulagiven fortheholyoil.(Numbers 19:13,20;Exodus30:33.)Toeatleavened breadwas generallycommendable,butwhen itwas forbidden, theprohibition was on pain ofbanishment. (Exodus12:15,19). Thelazy man and thevengefulmotherfaced,in this life, less retribution than themale whoseparents neglected to have

The Relation of Obedience to Discipline

2 Corinthians 2:7; 10:4-7

The Church’s Authority to Forgive and toHold Accountable

Thenow-infamousman ofCorinth thathad lived wickedlywith hisstep-mothermusthave read Paul’ssecond letterto hisformerchurch with astonishment.Thefirstletterhad singled himout, condemned him,rebukedthechurch forcontinuing hisfellowship, and had “delivered himtoSatan”to sufferinthe world a portion ofhis justdeserts.Thesecond letterdid notnegatethefirst. Therewas no reversalofpolicy.Yetthecharacteroftheepistle, and indeed ofthefaithfulchurch membersthatread it, seemed to beofan entirelydifferentorder.In consequence ofthe

first

,heartwork,ifwefromour“heartsforgive noteveryonehis brothertheirtrespasses.”

Moral Causes of Separation from theChildren of Israel

Butintervening between these two monumentaleventsthe church had beencommanded to keep itselfpure. Beforethe cross and theabolition ofthetheocracy,the moralsins thatwereto lead to such an issuewerefew and grave. Theyare listed here.

Resolving Doctrinal Conflict

Acts 15:1 ¶And certain men which came down fromJudaea taughtthebrethren,and said,Exceptyebecircumcised afterthemannerofMoses, ye cannotbesaved. Acts 15:2 When thereforePauland Barnabas had no smalldissension and disputation with them, theydetermined thatPauland Barnabas,and certain otherofthem,shouldgo up toJerusalemunto theapostles and eldersaboutthisquestion.Acts15:24 Forasmuch as we haveheard, thatcertain which wentoutfromus havetroubled you with words, subverting yoursouls, saying, Yemustbe circumcised,and keep thelaw:towhomwegave no such commandment:

Discipline for Neglecting to Hear the Elders

DSEzra10:8 And thatwhosoeverwould notcomewithin threedays, according to thecounselofthe princes and theelders, allhissubstance should beforfeited,and himself separatedfromthecongregation ofthose thathad been carried away. (see Matthew 18:19)

Discipline after a Probationary Time

DSEzra10:8 And thatwhosoeverwould notcomewithin threedays, according to thecounselofthe princes and theelders, allhissubstance should beforfeited,and himself separatedfromthecongregation ofthose thathad been carried away.

Difference between Members and Non-members

DSL1 Corinthians5:13 ButthemthatarewithoutGod judgeth.Thereforeputawayf romamong yourselves thatwicked person.

No Regard for Standing or Persons

DSLGalatians 1:8 Butthough we,oran angelfromheaven,preach anyothergospelunto you than thatwhich wehave preached unto you, lethimbeaccursed. Galatians 1:9 Aswe said before,so sayInowagain,Ifanyman preach any othergospelunto you than thatyehave received, lethimbe accursed.

Doctrinal Purity an Object of ChurchDiscipline

DSLGalatians 1:8 Butthough we,oran angelfromheaven,preach anyothergospelunto you than thatwhich wehave preached unto you, lethimbeaccursed. Galatians 1:9 Aswe said before,so sayInowagain,Ifanyman preach any othergospelunto you than thatyehave received, lethimbe accursed.

Curses, Individual and Corporate, a Reasonfor Church Discipline

DSWJoshua 7:12 Thereforethechildren ofIsraelcould notstand beforetheirenemies,butturned theirbacksbeforetheirenemies,because they wereaccursed:neitherwillIbewith you anymore,exceptyedestroythe accursed fromamong you.

Shared Faith and Practice, A Condition of Truest Fellowship

F1 John 1:3 Thatwhich we haveseen and heard declareweunto you, thatyealso mayhavefellowship with us:and trulyourfellowship [is]with the Father,and with hisSon Jesus Christ.

Separation Ordained by Providence for ourGood

Deuteronomy33:16 And forthepreciousthings ofthe earth and fulness thereof,and [for]the good willofhimthatdweltin thebush:let[theblessing]comeupon thehead ofJoseph,and upon thetop ofthehead ofhim[thatwas]separated fromhis brethren.(see Gen 44:26)

Time and Test a Prerequisite to Fellowshipwith the Organized Body

FGalatians 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed tobepillars, perceived thegrace thatwas given unto me,theygave to meand Barnabas therighthands offellowship;thatwe[should go]unto theheathen,and theyunto the circumcision.

Conditional Warnings by Letter in Regard toThreatened Church Membership

FL2 Corinthians 13:2 Itold you before,and foretellyou,as ifIwerepresent, thesecond time;andbeing absentnowIwritetothemwhichheretoforehavesinned, andtoallother, that, ifIcomeagain,Iwillnotspare:

Shunning as Form of Church Discipline?

FS2 Thessalonians 3:6 ¶Nowwe command you,brethren,inthe name ofourLord Jesus Christ, thatye withdrawyourselves fromeverybrotherthatwalketh disorderly,andnotafterthetraditionwhich hereceived ofus.

Breaking Traditions of Orderly ChurchGovernment Cause for Church DisciplineChurch Body Responsible to ExecuteJudgements from the ApostleEffective Church Discipline no Excuse forColdnessOur Duty to Fellowship the Cast OutChrist Prepared Temple for Fellowship withGod by Casting Out Money Changers

ULuke19:45 And he wentinto thetemple,and began tocast outthemthatsold therein, and themthatbought;

Membership and Discipline in the InvisibleChurch of GodSome things Doable by Post, some Better inPerson

CHURCH ORDER

Regarding Ordinances of Communion

O1Co 11:34 And ifanyman hunger,lethimeatathome;thatyecomenottogetherunto condemnation.And therestwillIset inorderwhenIcome.

Regarding Exercise of Gifts and Behavior inChurch

O1Co 14:29 Lettheprophetsspeak two orthree, and lettheotherjudge.30 Ifany thing berevealed to anotherthatsitteth by, letthefirsthold hispeace. 31 Foryemayallprophesy onebyone, thatallmaylearn, and allmaybe comforted. 32 Andthe spiritsoftheprophetsare subjecttothe prophets. 33 ForGodisnotthe authorof confusion,butofpeace, as inallchurches ofthe saints. ..34 ¶Letyourwomen keep silence inthe churches:foritisnotpermitteduntothemtospeak;buttheyarecommanded tobeunderobedience, as alsosaith thelaw. . .35 Andiftheywilllearnany thing, letthemask theirhusbandsat home:foritisa shame forwomento speakin thechurch....39 Wherefore, brethren, covettoprophesy, and forbid notto speak with tongues. 40 Letallthings be donedecentlyand in order.

Regarding Control of Doctrine’s Presented

O1Ti1:3 3 AsIbesoughtthee toabidestillat Ephesus,when Iwentinto Macedonia, thatthou mightestchargesome thatthey teach nootherdoctrine,

Regarding Ordination and Accusationsagainst the Ordained

O1Ti5:19 Againstan elderreceivenotan accusation, butbeforetwo orthreewitnesses. 20Themthatsin rebukebeforeall, thatothersalsomayfear. 21 Icharge

thee

beforeGod, and theLordJesus Christ, and theelect angels, thatthou observethese things withoutpreferring onebeforeanother, doing nothingbypartiality. 22 Layhandssuddenlyon no man, neitherbe partakerofothermen’ssins:keep thyselfpure.OTit1:5 ¶Forthiscause leftIthee in Crete, thatthou shouldestsetin orderthe thingsthatarewanting,and ordaineldersineverycity, as Ihadappointed thee:6¶Ifanybeblameless, thehusbandofone wife, havingfaithfulchildren notaccused ofriotorunruly. 7 Forabishopmustbe blameless, as the stewardofGod;notselfwilled, notsoon angry, notgiven to wine, no striker,notgiven to filthylucre;8 Buta loverofhospitality, a loverofgood men, sober, just, holy,temperate;9 Holding fast thefaithfulword as hehathbeen taught, thathe maybeablebysounddoctrineboth toexhortandto convincethe gainsayers.

Regarding the

Work

of the Ordained Pastor

O2Ti4:1 ¶Icharge

thee

thereforebeforeGod,and theLord Jesus Christ, who shalljudge thequickandthedead athis appearingandhis kingdom;2 Preach theword;beinstantinseason, outofseason;reprove, rebuke, exhortwithalllongsufferingand doctrine. 3 Forthetimewillcomewhen theywillnotenduresound doctrine;butafter theirown lusts shallthey heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Regarding the Duty to Restore ErringMembers

OGalatians6:1 ¶Brethren,ifaman be overtakeninafault, yewhich arespiritual,restore suchan onein thespiritofmeekness; considering thyself, lestthoualso betempted. See2Cor.2:5-11

Regarding Delegated Authority in theChurch

OHeb. 13:4 Marriage is honorablein all,and the bed undefiled:butwhoremongers and adulterersGodwilljudge. ..7 Rememberthemwhich have therule overyou, who have spoken unto youthe wordofGod:whose faith follow, consideringthe end oftheirconversation.. . 17Obeythemthathavethe rule overyou, and submityourselves:fortheywatch foryoursouls,as theythatmustgive account, thattheymaydo itwith joy, and notwithgrief:forthatis unprof itable foryou.

Regarding the Reflection of Family Order inChurch Government (Gender Roles)

OITimothy2:11 Letthewoman learn in silence with allsubjection.12 ButIsuffernota womanto teach, nortousurp authorityovertheman, butto be insilence.

The Purpose or Just Causes of ChurchDiscipline

BlasphemyEducation“Greatly Withstanding” Inspired ChurchLeadership

Alexanderthecoppersmithdidmemuch evil:theLordrewardhimaccording tohis works:Ofwhombethouware also;forhehathgreatlywithstood ourwords. 2Tim. 4:14-15.See1Tim1:20

Overthrowing Faith off “Some” with FalseDoctrines

Andtheirword willeatas doth acanker:ofwhomisHymenaeus and Philetus;18 Who concerningthetruthhaveerred, sayingthattheresurrection ispastalready;andoverthrowthe faithofsome. 2 Tim.2:17-18. See 1Tim.1:20.

For the Warning of other Church Members

PActs 5:5And Ananias hearingthese wordsfelldown, andgaveupthe ghost:andgreat fearcameon allthemthatheard these things. .. Acts 5:9 Then Petersaidunto her, How isitthatyehave agreed togetherto tempttheSpiritofthe Lord?behold, thefeetofthemwhichhaveburied thyhusband areatthe door, and shallcarrytheeout.

Separation To have Presence of Jesus

PHebrews7:26 Forsuchanhigh priestbecame us, who isholy, harmless, undefiled, separatefromsinners, andmade higherthan the heavens;

To Alleviate the Curse

PNumbers25:6 ¶And,behold, oneofthechildren ofIsraelcame andbroughtuntohisbrethren a Midianitishwoman inthesightofMoses, and inthe sightofallthecongregation ofthechildrenofIsrael, whowereweeping beforethedoorofthe tabernacle ofthe congregation.

Presumption Sin of Leadership

PNumbers25:6 ¶And,behold, oneofthechildren ofIsraelcame andbroughtuntohisbrethren a Midianitishwoman inthesightofMoses, and inthe sightofallthecongregation ofthechildrenofIsrael, whowereweeping beforethedoorofthe tabernacle ofthe congregation.

Habit of Scorning and Reproaching

PProverbs22:10Castoutthe scorner,and contention shallgo out;yea, strifeand reproachshallcease.

To End Contention and Strife

PProverbs22:10Castoutthe scorner,and contention shallgo out;yea, strifeand reproachshallcease.

Refusing to Abjure Heresy after TwoAdmonitions

PTitus 3:10 Aman thatisanhereticafterthe firstand second admonition reject;

2 Corinthians 10

How to Pursue Proper Discipline

Beseech with Meekness and Gentleness

PF2Corinthians 10:1 ¶NowIPaulmyselfbeseech you bythemeekness andgentleness ofChrist, whoin presence ambase amongyou, butbeing absentamboldtoward you:

Not till you can be Confident

2Corinthians 10:2 ButIbeseech you,thatImaynotbe bold when Iampresentwith thatconfidence, wherewithIthink tobeboldagainstsome, which thinkofus as ifwewalked according to theflesh.

Not till you are Spirit-filled Overcomer

2Corinthians10:3 Forthough we walk intheflesh, we do notwaraftertheflesh:2 Corinthians 10:4(Fortheweapons ofourwarfarearenotcarnal, butmightythrough God to thepulling down ofstrong holds;)2Corinthians 10:5 Castingdown imaginations, andeveryhigh thing thatexalteth itselfagainstthe knowledgeofGod,and bringingintocaptivityeverythoughttothe obedience ofChrist;2 Corinthians 10:6 Andhaving in a readiness torevengealldisobedience, when yourobedience is fulf illed. (

SeeMatt.7:1-2)

Discourage Shallow Thinking

2Corinthians10:7 ¶Doyelook on things aftertheoutwardappearance? Ifanyman trustto himselfthathe isChrist’s, lethimofhimselfthink thisagain, that, as heis Christ’s, evenso are weChrist’s.

Use Authority for “Edification, and not for…Destruction.”

2Corinthians10:8 Forthough Ishouldboastsomewhatmore ofourauthority, whichthe Lord hathgiven usforedification, and notforyourdestruction, Ishouldnotbeashamed:2Corinthians10:9

By Strong Letters if Necessary Due toAbsence

ThatImaynotseemas ifIwould terrifyyoubyletters. 2Corinthians 10:10Forhisletters, say they, are weightyandpowerful;buthisbodilypresence isweak, and hisspeech contemptible. 2 Corinthians 10:11 Letsuch anonethinkthis, that, such as weareinword byletterswhenwe areabsent, such willwebealsoindeed when wearepresent.

With Consistency

2Corinthians 10:11Letsuchan onethink this, that, such as weareinwordbyletterswhenwe areabsent, such willwebealso indeedwhen we arepresent.

of 00

Leave a Comment