Church Discipline

Introduction

Church Discipline is like weather. We talk a great deal about it but seldom do anything about it. Paul expected Christians to use church courts, not government courts.

1 Corinthians 6:1-3 "Dare any of you, having matter against one another, go to law before the unjust, not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judge by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

Know ye not that we shall judges the angels? How much more things pertain to this life?" See also verse 12.

Discipline means taking corrective measures as punishment in order to maintain the good conduct or church members.

This is a practice seldom made effective in our churches today. Why? It is because we have grown weak and cold, and fear to act on our principles?
It is because we have all attained a state of perfection and no longer require it?
It is 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, thus condoning evil in their lives 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.

Conclusion

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."

Source: One hundred Bible Lessons
By: Alban Douglas