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

congregation's attention, a simple public statement by the elders will usually be sufficient. 16. DOES THE CHURCH HAVE ANY AUTHORITY TO CHASTISE OR PUNISH ITS MEMBERS? No. The church has no authority to chastise or punish its members. This is God's business; only God can do it righteously. True repentance (which comes from God) brings cleansing and where this cleansing has taken place the church can do nothing but acknowledge it. 17. WHAT ACTION IS TAKEN IN THE CASE OF A SINNING ELDER? An accusation against an Elder must not be received except before two or three witnesses. Then, if he is rebuked before the church, others are encouraged NOT to commit the same error. 1 Timothy 5:19, 20. 18. WHAT STAND MUST THE CHURCH TAKE CONCERNING THE BELIEVER AND THE WORLD? The believer should not marry an unbeliever, nor enter into business partnerships with unbelievers that endanger his testimony. 2 Corinthians 6:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 7: 39. 1. What is Church discipline? 2. Why is it needed in a church congregation? 3. Does God give the Church power to execute judgment? Isn't God alone to judge His people? 4. What place should prayer have in all matters of discipline? 5. What course of discipline should be taken if a brother trespass against another? 211 LESSON 3 STUDY QUESTIONS BASED ON "DISCIPLINE IN THE CHURCH"