God And His Word - A Question And Answer Approach To Understanding The Bible

LESSON 3: DISCIPLINE IN THE CHURCH 1. WHAT IS CHURCH DISCIPLINE?

Church Discipline is the corrective action that a church body must take to insure the proper conduct or behavior of its members. 2. WHY IS IT NEEDED IN A CHURCH CONGREGATION? Without discipline it is impossible to maintain properly the Church's fellowship with Christ and with one another. Communion is broken where sin exists. Romans 6:12, 13. Note Joshua 7:1 where the sin of one man affected all Israel. 3. DOES GOD GIVE THE CHURCH POWER TO EXECUTE JUDGMENT? ISN'T GOD ALONE TO JUDGE HIS PEOPLE? Although God Himself is the Judge of all mankind, He does delegate certain types of judgment to His Church. "The saints shall judge the world…are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? How much more things that pertain to this life?" 1 Corinthians 6:2, 3. "Tell it to the Church" - Matthew 18:16. 4. WHAT PLACE SHOULD PRAYER HAVE IN ALL MATTERS OF DISCIPLINE? Prayer should come first, always. If the church is to act for Christ, she must know the mind and will of Christ. Prayer is the church's method of contacting Christ and determining His will. Matthew 18:18, 19. 5. WHAT COURSE OF DISCIPLINE SHOULD BE TAKEN IF A BROTHER TRESPASS AGAINST ANOTHER? When a difference exists between two brethren, the one who has been wronged is required to go to the one at fault and try to make reconciliation. Matthew 18:15.

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