SHEPHERDVILLE COLLEGE

Talojongon, Tigaon, Camarines Sur

AY 2021-2022 (First Semester)

CE 5 – ECCLESIOLOGY

MODULE 8

THE CHURCH DISCIPLINE

By Ptra. Isabel Vergara

Topic: The Church Discipline

Objectives:

After the lesson, the student should learn the following:

1.Define the church discipline

2.Give the steps in disciplining a church member
3.Identify who will execute church discipline
4.State the purposes of church discipline
5.Teach when and how the church discipline is done

Motivation:

During the time of slavery of Israel in Egypt the kingdom was able to build strong and beautiful pyramids. Why
they built such strong buildings? They used strict discipline to their slaves, the Israelites, who were used to construct
those edifices. So, discipline is an integral to achieve a goal.

Introduction:

In order for the church to be strong, there is a need to impose discipline among its erring members. The goal of
the church is for the maturity and service the members. If the church will be managed well, its purpose and destiny will
be carried out.

Church discipline is like the weather. We talk a great deal about it but seldom do anything about it.

Paul expected Christians to use church courts, not government courts.

I Cor. 6:1-3, "Dare any of you, having a matter against another. go to law before the unjust, and not
before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged
by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? How
much more things that pertain to this life?" See also verse 12.

Discipline means taking corrective measures as punishment in order to maintain the good conduct of church
members. This is a practice seldom made effective in our churches today. Why? Is it because we have grown weak and
cold and fear to act on our principles?
Is it because we have all attained a state of perfection and no longer require it?
Is it because our churches are afraid of losing church members?
Are we afraid that the church income will be reduced if we punish sin?
Do we love popularity, money, large churches, easy times, more than holiness?
Are we afraid of calling "sin" "SIN" and thus condone the evil of fellow believers? The Apostolic Church was strong
because it was pure. Our modern church is weak because we have compromised our position and condoned sin in the
members.

Definition of Terms:

For clarity and easy understanding of the lesson, some words are defined:

1.Church – assembly of believers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

2.Discipline - to penalize an individual for breaking the laws of a unit of society to which he belongs with the
view of restoring him back to those laws.
3.Church discipline - means taking corrective measures as punishment in order to maintain the good conduct of
church members.
4.Church leaders – refers primary to the fivefold ministers: apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher

Presentation of the Contents:

Competency No. 1. The meaning, authority and recipients of Discipline of the Church.

A. The definition of discipline. To discipline is to penalize an individual for breaking the laws of a unit of society to which
he belongs with the view of restoring him back to those laws.

B. The basis of discipline. The basis of discipline of a local church is the holiness of God.
''Thy testimonies are very sure; holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, forever" (Ps.93:5).
'Because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy" (1 Pet. 1:16).
To take this holiness lightly is to invite discipline (Heb. 10:30; i Pet.4:17).

C.The authority of discipline, The ultimate authority resides in Christ, who authorizes his church to exercise it when
needed (Mt. 16:19; 18:17-20; J Con 5:4).

D.The recipients of discipline. Who demands church discipline?

1.Troublemakers and those who sow discord (Provo 6:16, 19; Rom. 16:17).
2.The unruly, disorderly, and undisciplined (1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Thess. 3:6, 11).
3.Those who disobey the great doctrines of the faith (2 Thess. 3:14).
4.Those who deny the great doctrines of the faith (1 Tim. 6:3, 5; 2 Tim. 2:16-18; Titus 3:10; 2 Jn. 1:10, 11; Rev. 2:14).
5.The immoral (1 Cor. 5:1-5).

Student Assessment Question (SAQ):

SAQ # 1.Write the basis of church discipline? __________________________________________________________

SAQ # 2. Who is authorized to execute church discipline? _________________________________________________
SAQ # 3. Enumerate the recipients of church discipline:
___________________________________ _______________________________________
___________________________________ _______________________________________
___________________________________ _______________________________________

Competency No. 2. The procedures of church discipline

E. The procedures in discipline. Church discipline is to be handled prayerfully, carefully, and just-
1. First step: Note and mark those who are in need of discipline (Rom. 16:17; 2 Thess. 3:14).
2.Second step: Arrange a private meeting with the offender (Mt. 18:15).
3.Third step: If this fails, set up a second meeting, this time with several others present (Mt. 18:16). During these
preliminary private and semiprivate meetings the individual should be repeatedly admonished (Titus 3:10), rebuked (2
Tim. 4:2), and warned (1 Thess. 5:14).
4.Fourth step: As a final resort, the unrepentant one is to be brought before the entire church (Mt. 18:17; 1 Tim. 5:20).
5.Fifth step: Upon refusal to submit to church discipline the guilty party is to be spiritually excommunicated. This
constitutes two fearful things, a denial and a deliverance.

a. He is to be denied Christian fellowship.

(1) "Avoid them" (Rom. 17:17).

(2) "Withdraw yourselvesfrom" (2 Thess. 3:6).
(3)"From such withdraw thyself" (1 Tim. 6:3,
(4.)"Reject" (Titus 3:10).
(5) "Have no company with him" (2 Thess. 3:14).

b. He is to be delivered over to Satan.

"To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord
Jesus" (1 Cor. 5:5).

"Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander: whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme"
(1 Tim. 1:20).
What does it mean to do this? The Greek word for destruction in 1 Corinthians 5:5 is olethros, a reference to the act of
spoiling or marring something.

Apparently Paul was here saying, "If this fellow (the church member living in adultery) is having so much fun in his sin,
then remove him entirely from your fellowship and let Satan kick himaround a little! Let him taste what it's like to face a
hostile world without the prayers and ministry of a local church." Thus, when a local Bible-believing church removes a
person like this, it literally fulfills the divine command of Job 2:6, "And the Lord said unto Satan, behold, he is in thine
hand; but save his life."

SAQ # 4. Give the procedures in disciplining an erring church members:

_______________________________________ _________________________________________
_______________________________________ _________________________________________
_______________________________________ _________________________________________
SAQ # 5.Is an erring member who does not take heed to the disciplinary action be allowed to attend church Sunday
service? _____ Explain your answer ________________________________________________________________
SAQ # 6. What does it mean by apostle Paul when he said that an unrepentant erring member should be given to Satan?
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Competency No. 3. The attitude and purpose of church discipline

F.The heart attitude in discipline.

1.We are to avoid both vengeance and arrogance.
"Brethren, If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness,
considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (Gal. 6:1).

2.We are to view the individual as an erring brother and not a bitter enemy.
"Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother" (2 Thess. 3:15).
3.We are to approach him with sorrow and not sarcasm (see 1 Cor. 5:2; 2 Cor. 2:4).
4.We are to be ready to forgive him when repentance occurs (2 Cor. 2:7; 7:10, 11). This last attitude is of supreme
importance for two reasons.
a. Lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow (2 Cor. 2:7).
b. Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his de vices. (2 Cor. 2:11).

G.The purpose of discipline.

I. It is to maintain the standards of the church to a watching world (Mt. 5:13-16; Acts 5:1-16; Rom. 2:24).
2. It is to keep gin from spreading throughout the church (Josh. 7:3; 1 Cor. 5:6, 7).
3. It is to help the guilty person find his way back to God. (2 Cor. 2:6-8).
4. It is to escape God's twofold judgment upon habitually sinning saints.
a. Sickness (1 Cor. 11:30).
b. Physical death (1 Cor. 11:30).
"For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged" (1 Cor. 11:31).

SAQ # 7.What should be the attitude in church discipline? _________________________________________________

SAQ # 8. Give the purpose of church discipline ___________________________________________________________
SAQ # 9. Enumerate the two-fold judgment _____________________________________________________________

Competency No. 4. The Scope and reaction to church discipline

H. The scope of discipline. The church is called upon to discipline (if needed) all believers, but only believers. It has no
authority to judge individual worldly unbelievers for their smoking, swearing, sexual activities, etc. Its only duty to an
unsaved person is to lead him or her to Jesus Christ.

I. The reaction to discipline. How is the guilty person to react when disciplined by either God himself or by a local
church?

1. He can despise it, that is, treat it too lightly (as did Esau concerning his birthright; Heb. 12:5).
2. He can faint under it, that is, treat it too seriously (Heb. 12:5).
3. He can be exercised by it (Heb. 12:10, 11). The real question is not so much what Ihave done wrong (though this, of
course, is important), but what is my attitude about it.

Competency No. 5. When and what to teach in church discipline?

SAQ # 10. What is the scope of church discipline? ________________________________________________________

SAQ # 11. Give the reaction to church discipline _________________________________________________________

WHEN TO TEACH DISCIPLINE

I believe that it ought to be taught after conversion but before baptism.
In baptism courses we set before the candidates our Christian standards.
Alongside this we ought to teach them the punishment for disobedience. We say to our children, "Clean up the mess or I
will put you to bed hungry." The child then weighs the facts and acts accordingly.
Before entering the Church and its responsibilities the candidate ought to be informed on this important point.
This ought to be comparatively easy in a Roman Catholic country where the people are accustomed to church authority,
penance and excommunication.

WHAT TO TEACH REGARDING DISCIPLINE

1. Basis of our authority to administer discipline. Matt. 18 :15-17, "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go
and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not
hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be
established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be
unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." a. Go to the erring one alone to exhort him to repent.
If he resists, take with you two or three others as witnesses.
If he continues to harden his heart, inform the church.
If he insists on resisting consider him as a sinning heathen man.
2. Occasions for discipline:
False doctrine. Titus 1 :13, "This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith."
Has your church ever taken this strong a stand against corrupt doctrine?
Our educational system needs a housecleaning of false teachers.
Open sin. 1 Tim. 5:20, "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. " Has your church ever taken
disciplinary action against flagrant sin?
Hab. 1 :13, "Thou (God) art of purer eyes than to behold evil."
Rom. 7 :13, "... that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful."
Let us pray and ask God to make sin so terrible that we will strive to punish it or exclude it from our midst.
Immorality. 1 Cor. 5 :1-5. This man was excommunicated for he had committed fornication with his own mother or step-
mother.
3. Extent of discipline. Deliver the individual to Satan for the destruction of the body. 1 Cor. 5:5, "To deliver such an one
unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. "
1 Cor. 5 :13, "... Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. " 1 Tim. 1:20, "Of whom is Hymenaeus
and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. "
What does one do when the crime or sin does not merit excommunication?
If the guilty one shows genuine repentance, keep the guilty one from the Communion table or any public office for a set
period of time (three months, six months, one year, in accordance with the crime committed).
This judgment would be handed down by the presiding church council.

SAQ # 12. When to teach church discipline? _____________________________________________________________

SAQ # 13. What to teach in church discipline? ___________________________________________________________

Competency No. 6. How to teach church discipline

HOW TO TEACH DISCIPLINE

Firstly, the church and particularly the church council must live clean, disciplined lives themselves, above reproach in
word and deed. What a responsibility!
In humility. 1 Cor. 10:12, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." Do not lord it over the
fallen one.
If the temptations and circumstances were similar perhaps we would have committed an even greater sin.
Also our "besetting sin" may be much different from his. The point on which I would succumb to sin might be a strong
point to this erring one.
This is no place for superior "holier than thou" feelings.
In sincerity. Remove the beam from your own eye before you mention the mote in your brother's eye. Matt. 7:3-5, "And
why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how
wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou
hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy
brother's eye."
Some may take the attitude that "I am not perfect, therefore, I will not discipline my brother.” This is wrong. If God gives
me responsibility I am expected to exercise it.
In love. I Cor. 13 :4, "Love suffereth long and is kind."
We certainly must deal in love. Love is our strongest lever against the one whom we are trying to bring back to the strict
paths of righteousness.
He may respond to our love when he may resist our words and arguments.
"Suffer long." Be sure to exercise plenty of patience--"till seventy times seven" if there are signs of genuine repentance.
By Scripture. Be sure that you can prove that that which he has done is sin from Scripture and not just transgressing
"Western Culture."
The church is founded on Scripture and its actions must be the outworkings of the doctrines and principles laid down in
the Word of God.
By testimony. Be willing to share personal experiences on the subject. This will assist in establishing a friendly, brotherly
confidence--a mutual trust.
This will help us to deal with him as a brother and not a dog beneath our feet.
By experience. In Panhsiem (S.W. China) I recall three cases of church discipline.
A man excommunicated for marrying the second wife (bigamy).
A woman was kept from the Communion table for three months for dealing in opium, which was contrary to the laws of
the land.
A widow was disciplined for flirting with a young man-behaviour unbecoming to a sober, mature church member.

SAQ # 14. How to teach church discipline? ______________________________________________________________

SAQ # 15. Give example to whom church discipline was applied? ____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Summary:

May God give us the courage of our convictions to exercise discipline.

Acts 20:28, "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you
overseers."

References:

Foundation of Pentecostal Theology

100 bible Lesson Alban Douglas
Wellmingston Guide to the Bible
Shepherd Staff
Bible.org

Test/Evaluation:

1.Is a Church Court Scriptural? Give proof.

2.What is the ultimate object of Church discipline?
3.Why is Church discipline seldom practiced today?
4.Outline the four steps in discipline mentioned in Matt. 18:15-17.
5.List 3 occasions for Church discipline.
6.Name various punishments that a Church Board may give.
7.How should discipline be taught?
8.What is required of the Church Board before dealing with the erring member?
9.When was the last time the Church Council in your Church administered discipline?
10.Should one postpone judgment on the basis of Matt. 18 :22 (just forgive him 490 times)?

Assignment:

1. Look for the Biblical references in which church discipline was applied?