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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: I agree EdB.. The 'consequences' for excommunication from the church today are no where near the degree to what those consequences would mean only 100 or so years ago! Today, if one church kicks us out, just walk to the next block or across the street and find another church there.. So what must clergy and laypeople do about this? Must we continue to keep excommunication an option? I believe so. To what extent? Good question!! (I'm talking to myself here) As far as pastors go, I feel that 'total excommunication' by the church and the denomination is in order here. However, the pastor should not be punished 'indefinitely' unless the sin warrants such decisive judgment. Pastors are the shepherds or leaders of the congregation and should be an example- they are not just 'members' here, they are the leaders and should be a model of moral and spiritual integrity in every fashion. Judgment (if caught in wrong-doing) should be greater for those who are in roles of leadership, such as the pastor. "Greater" means the succession from an office held until absolution of sins. To what extent must excommunication be carried out? I believe that it must be 'carried out' to the point where a person is obviously 'reprimanded' or reproofed for their wrong, but not to the point of totally excluding them from church. Also, I believe that there must be an 'incentive' to work towards, such as: 'If you begin to change from your ways and exhibit good behavior in sight of the church, then you will be eventually restored to full membership status' or something to that effect. These are just my ideas.. :) Nolan |