Worship God And Serve Him Only in Disciplining

Transcription

1 Worship God And Serve Him Only in Disciplining The Bible Way

2 Congregational (Ekklesia) Discipline The word ekklesia is Greek meaning assembly or congregation rather than church, the commonly used word for some religious organization. The Greek word paideia-nt: 3809 was translated in the New Testament as chastising, [discipline in some translations] meaning educating, training, and by implication disciplinary action. Thayer s Greek Lexicon defines it as correcting mistakes and curbing the passions; hence, instruction which aims at the increase of virtue. Paideia is found 6 times as follows 2 Tim 3: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training (instruction -KJV) in righteousness. {ESV} Hebrews 12:11 - For the moment all discipline (chastening -KJV) seems painful [not necessarily physical pain] rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. {ESV} Ephesians 6:4 - Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up by training and instructing them about the Lord. [discipline and instruction ESV; chastening and admonition ASV; nurture and admonition - KJV] {ISV} Hebrews 12:5-7 - My son, do not think lightly of the Lord's discipline [exhortation ESV, chastening KJV] or give up when you are corrected (discipline ESV)] by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he punishes [scourge (KJV, ASV), whip Robertson s Word Pictures] every son he accepts." What you endure disciplines you: God is treating you as sons. Is there a son whom his father does not discipline? {NLT} Permission is given to reproduce for non-commercial purposes lessons in their entirety and without change. The Bible Way Online Randolph Dunn Write to us at lessons@thebiblewayonline.com Or visit us at thebiblewayonline.com Revised November 30,

3 Disciplinary action The purpose of disciplinary action is to bring back one who has wandered from the truth. : 1. It is intended to: a. Prevent loss of one s soul b. Prevent contamination of the Body c. Display God s love, justice and mercy to the World 2. Should never be over some personal interpretation held privately and not demanded by them to be accepted by all to be in fellowship. Christians who sin against God are to be approached by their Christian brethren to explain why their actions are sinful so they can mend their ways and return into fellowship. 3. Must begin immediately [not tomorrow, next week, next month or next year], be consistent and continue until repentance occurs or until every opportunity for repentance is exhausted. 4. Must never be exercised on hearsay. This is why the parties involved must attempt resolution first. They know the facts but may understand them differently. Love must always be foremost Examples of chastisement, discipline, are found throughout the Bible. Old Testament Examples 1. Cain Offering not accepted later marked because of murder 2. Pharaoh Rejected nine attempts to comply with God demands 3. Moses Prohibited from entering Canaan 4. Nadab, Abihu and Uzah Punished by immediate death 5. Eli Lost all, life, sons and Ark of the Covenant 6. Saul Refused to take responsibility - lost kingdom and God left 7. David When confronted by Nathan immediately repented New Testament Examples 1. Peter denied Christ with a look from Jesus he wept bitterly 2. Ananias and Sapphira Lied and died trying to get men s praise 3. Simon Repented and asked for prayer for forgiveness 4. Paul Rebuked Peter for yielding to peer pressure 5. Corinthian brother Eventually repented of his immoral actions that were not even tolerated by the Gentile pagans of Corinth 3

4 Congregational Discipline Prevention is the first defense and far more effective than disciplinary action. It can be achieved by discourse (teaching) where freedom of expression and questioning of meanings are considered and not perceived as a challenge of authority. Disciplining, turning one over to Satan, must be the last resort for a brother who refuses to repent and return to God. Instruction and correction to teach and clarify God s word is necessary for one to grow and mature into God s nature. Discipline can occur whether the congregation is assembled or not. Initiated By Communication Correcting, chastising or disciplinary action begins with some type of communication. Three methods are listed below but there may be others. Family type words are not even necessary Acquaintance type gentle concern with verbal exchange Challenger type - confrontational Bible Instruction for handling problems, whether perceived or real If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. Matthew 18:15 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-29 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1Peter 4:8 Discipline for those who refuse to repent. God s people are to correct their brethren sometimes in what may appear to be extreme punishment. 1 Corinthians 5 states Purge (cleanse ESV) out the old leaven (V7) not to keep company (associate with ESV) anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of (v 11) the practice of sin (ASV). 4

5 What does not associate with or keep company with entail? Is it shunning, not speaking to, not giving aid to, prohibit from assembling with, not eating or sleeping with family and the cession of close companionship? Recall the purpose of discipline is to cause a change in action back toward reconciliation with brethren and God. No association of any kind appears to prevent communication of any kind thus defeating the purpose of disciplinary action. Therefore, stopping close companionship and not eating the communal meal, agape meal, which probably was when the Lord s Supper was observed, is probably the intended action. Since the Christians desire is to bring about a return of one to Christ, then ceasing close companionship should also apply to those who have abandon God and ceased assembling together with those in Christ. Continuing in 1 Corinthians 5 Paul states this purging out sin includes: 1. Immorality (fornication-kjv) Sexual relations with someone other than spouse whether heterosexual or homosexual, married or unmarried 2. Covetousness One who takes advantage of another for unjust gain. This can occur among elderly, youth, men or women. I want and will do whatever it takes to get it. 3. Idolatry Putting things or activities ahead of God, e.g., self indulgence 4. Reviling (railer KJV; slanderer - NIV) slander, gossip 5. Drunkenness Lack of self-control while under the influence of alcohol (or drugs) and set an undesirable example. 6. Wickedness (extortioners - KJV) Laziness or inactive of one capable of caring for self. [To obtain from someone by undue force/power/intimidation]. 7. Disorderly Out of Step with others in Christ, offensive conduct 8. Divisive One willing to divide over their opinion. It must be my understanding regardless of the consequences. Putting self first. 5

6 Willful sin Is there any difference in the practice of sinning and a willful sin? Is it impossible for one who does either to be restored to God? Consider Hebrews 10:26. For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins and John 8:34 Jesus answered them -- Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin (KJV). Perhaps the ESV is a better translation For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 10:26) and Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin (John 8:34). When one yields to temptation, was not a decision made? Then does yielding to temptation make one a slave or is it the practice of sinning that determines one s status as a slave to sin? It is the practice of sin, the desire to continue and the refusal to change, that produces slavery to sin. It is a lifestyle. Thus while still assembling with the saints; the unrepentant sinner is to be isolated during the eating of their communal meal (agape meal or love feast) and eating from the table of the Lord (an act reminding them of His blood sacrifice given for their forgiveness). Methods to be used 1. The most effective method to train/instruct and bring about change is the one-on-one method. If you have something against a brother or if he has something against you go to him. Matthew 18:15 2. When one-on-one does not produce repentance then others must become involved. A few, perhaps two or three, Christians respected by him and the whole congregation should go to him, not your buddy, to discuss his situation. (Matthew 18:16) 3. As a last resort the whole congregation needs to confront him in person, not a letter, , phone call or public announcement. It is not an elder problem it is the whole congregation s problem (Matthew 18:17 and 1 Corinthians 5:1-8). 6

7 Success of Disciplinary Action As stated earlier the purpose of discipline is to produce a change from the practice of sinning and for reconciliation to God. The assembly s action following repentance is critical. Reread Paul s admonition But if anyone has caused grief, he didn't cause me any grief. To some extent I don't want to emphasize this too much it has affected all of you. This punishment by the majority is severe enough for such a man. So forgive and comfort him, or else he will drown in his excessive grief. That's why I'm urging you to assure him of your love (2 Corinthians 2: 5-8). Love will prevent him from feeling he is a second class Christian, one not fully forgiven as the other sinners in the assembly. He is a returning servant that his Lord. His master wants him to be a worker in the kingdom. All other Christians must encourage and assist him in becoming a faithful and productive servant of God. Questions: 1. Can one congregation discipline another? 2. Can a brother discipline a friend and brother of another assembly? 3. Who must take the lead in disciplining? 4. How long can the discipline process run without a resolution? 5. Once a brother has repented and returned, God forgives. How can he know his Christian brethren have forgiven him? 6. God desires for him to be a worker in His kingdom. Do his brethren require more than God for him to become a worker in the body? Summary and Conclusion of Congregational (Ekklesia) Discipline Discipline is teaching and training or as stated in Thayer s Greek Lexicon correcting mistakes and curbing the passions; hence, instruction which aims at the increase of virtue. Christians are in fellowship with Christ and all others who are in Christ. They are equal in God s love, their salvation and all benefits derived from being in Christ. However, being human we all differ in abilities, intellect, knowledge, wisdom and maturity in both the physical and spiritual world. Therefore, there will be conflicts of varying degrees that must be resolved. The inspired Word instructs us in the steps needed to maintain unity and fellowship with God and man: 7

8 1. The offended and offender are to seek out each other to discuss and work out their differences. The same is true for a brother who becomes aware of another brother caught up in sin. 2. Failure to resolve them individually requires other Christian brethren, respected by both parties, to become involved. 3. Unresolved differences remaining after step two are to be brought and presented to the congregation for resolution. 4. In cases where he refuses the advice of his Christian brethren, refuses to change, then the assembly as a whole; not just a few or the elders, is to demonstrate their love of him by withholding their close personal association as companions and friends not associating with or keeping company with -- in the hopes he will realize his sinful state and create a desire to repent and return to Christ. 5. Forgive and accept the forgiven reconciled brother, express and display your love of him, assist him in becoming a worker and help him to remain faithful. It is impossible to withhold fellowship, not associate with or keep company from anyone who has removed himself from companionship with you. Keeping company in the sense of companionship does not appear to include other relationships; such as, employer/employee, slave/master, teacher/student. 8