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NASB | 1 Corinthians 5:12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 5:12 For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders (non-believers)? Do you not judge those who are within the church [to protect the church as the situation requires]? |
Subject: How do we discipline church members? |
Bible Note: Hello 1ewoldstock You said... "Couldn't holding Christians accountable for their actions and disciplining for these actions create gossip and backbiting amoungst the congregation? It was not the case in this situation, but suppose that the Deacon was a spouse abuser or worse and the man she moved in with was a relative or an old family friend. Well-meaning members could bring an indescretion to the attention of the pastor every day." Matthew 18:15-17 15 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. 16 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. 17 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. Your examples create different scenarios with different disciplines. First, if the husband was an abuser, to seperate for counseling is not a sin. To enter an adulterous relationship is. The fact that she refused to leave the relationship but rather to flaunt her defiance before the entire congregation sends the statement a child sends the parent when they fold their arms and say 'NO!' For a pastor to look the other way or preach to this sin at the expense of the others is not right. He sent a clear message to the congregation that blatan defiant lack of regard for the authority of God or the church authority would not be tolerated. Some would have seen this as a stamp of approval for this behaviour had he NOT done this, his church would have become divided. The sin of adultery was not the main problem, but the rebellious defiance to neither repent nor leave the church until she decided to repent was the problem. Defiance of the leadership especially where active sin is concerned can destroy a church. God bless |