A study of God’s plan to save the erring Christian

God gave two plans to deal with sinners: (1) The gospel plan for saving alien sinners (2) The disciplinary plan for saving the Christian who falls away

Reasons Some Ignore Disciplinary Action? Ignorance of the Lord’s instructions Ignorance of the Lord’s instructions Fear of causing friction Fear of causing friction Claim that it will run people off Claim that it will run people off Rationalization it won’t work Rationalization it won’t work

What is Discipline? Involves both instructive and punitive action. Involves both instructive and punitive action. Parents train, teach, warn, and punish to develop character and behavior of their children Parents train, teach, warn, and punish to develop character and behavior of their children Similarly, elders as overseers feed or shepherd the flock, and initiate other corrective action where required. Similarly, elders as overseers feed or shepherd the flock, and initiate other corrective action where required.

What is its purpose? Maintain church purity Save the soul of the unfaithful Sobering influence on others

Maintain church purity “That He might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” Eph. 5:27 “Know ye not that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? Purge out the old leaven that you may be a new lump” “Know ye not that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? Purge out the old leaven that you may be a new lump” 1 Cor. 5:6-7 1 Cor. 5:6-7

Save the soul of unfaithful “To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved” 1 Cor. 5:5 “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death” Jas. 5:20

Sobering influence on others “Them (elders) that sin, rebuke before all, that others also may fear” 1 Tim. 5:20 “Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all” Acts 5:5

Who is Subject to Discipline? Those overtaken in a fault, Gal. 6:1 Those overtaken in a fault, Gal. 6:1 Immoral brethren, 1 Cor. 5:9-13 Immoral brethren, 1 Cor. 5:9-13 Brethren causing division, Rom. 16:17 Brethren causing division, Rom. 16:17 A heretic, Titus 3:9-11 A heretic, Titus 3:9-11 Disorderly brethren, 2 Thess. 3:6, 14 Disorderly brethren, 2 Thess. 3:6, 14 An elder who sins, 1 Tim. 5:19-20 An elder who sins, 1 Tim. 5:19-20 Those who refuse to correct a wrong with a brother, Matt. 18:17 Those who refuse to correct a wrong with a brother, Matt. 18:17

What Action Is Taken ? Public or Collective Action (w hen the church is assembled, 1 Cor. 5:4) Public or Collective Action (w hen the church is assembled, 1 Cor. 5:4) Put away from among yourselves that wicked person, 1 Cor. 5:12-13 Put away from among yourselves that wicked person, 1 Cor. 5:12-13 Reject a heretic, Titus 3:9-11 Reject a heretic, Titus 3:9-11 Mark (identify) them, Rom. 16:17 Mark (identify) them, Rom. 16:17 Note (point out) them, 2 Thess. 3:14 Note (point out) them, 2 Thess. 3:14 Rebuke before all, 1Tim. 5:20 Rebuke before all, 1Tim. 5:20 Tell it unto the church, Matt. 18:17 Tell it unto the church, Matt. 18:17

Individual or Private Action Individual or Private Action Have no company with them, 1 Cor. 5:9-11; Have no company with them, 1 Cor. 5:9-11; No not to eat, 1 Cor. 5:11 No not to eat, 1 Cor. 5:11 Have no company with them, 2 Thess. 3:14 Have no company with them, 2 Thess. 3:14 Avoid, Rom.16:17 Avoid, Rom.16:17 Withdraw yourselves (keep away), Withdraw yourselves (keep away), 2 Thess. 3:6 2 Thess. 3:6 Let him be unto thee as heathen and publican, Matt. 18:17 Let him be unto thee as heathen and publican, Matt. 18:17 Social contacts are to cease Social contacts are to cease

Not solely action of a few, but the whole church Not solely action of a few, but the whole church A few can diminish force of disciplinary action: A few can diminish force of disciplinary action: “I think you have been mistreated.” “I think you have been mistreated.” “I don’t agree with what they have done to you.” “I don’t agree with what they have done to you.” The sinner is to be brought to shame for his disobedience, 2 Thess. 3:14 The sinner is to be brought to shame for his disobedience, 2 Thess. 3:14

What Should be the Attitude of the Church? Spirit of meekness, Gal. 6:1 Spirit of meekness, Gal. 6:1 Not with malice and wickedness, but with sincerity and truth, 1 Cor. 5:8 Not with malice and wickedness, but with sincerity and truth, 1 Cor. 5:8 Count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother, Count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother, 2 Thess. 3:15 2 Thess. 3:15 Have a forgiving spirit when there is repentance on the part of the erring Christian, 2 Cor. 2:6-8 Have a forgiving spirit when there is repentance on the part of the erring Christian, 2 Cor. 2:6-8