Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Matthew 18:17 "If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 18:17 "If he pays no attention to them [refusing to listen and obey], tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile (unbeliever) and a tax collector. [Lev 19:17; Deut 19:15] |
Subject: Excommunication applicable for today? |
Bible Note: Nolan if you define applicable as means of correction or as a deterrent then no I don't think excommunication is applicable. If you define applicable as being rooted in Biblical principal and still in effect as a way to preserve the purity of the church today then yes excommunication is applicable. I think if someone is guilty of such an act that justifies excommunication that person should be put out of the church, if for no other reason than preserve the purity of the church. However I do not see excommunication as any kind of deterrent to prevent hyenas behavior. I have seen Pastors caught in adultery, be removed from the church and move two blocks, start a new church and have better than half there old congregation follow them. If you ask the people why they will tell you he is a fantastic pastor. They could care he is up to his neck in sin. He entertains them and that is all they care about. I have also seen people cause so much trouble in a church that the pastor has had to biblically put them out. That action caused a church split because people didn’t want to be separated from their friends. Excommunication is Biblically applicable for today it just doesn’t carry any of the social stigma it once did. |