The Three Steps of Church Discipline
If the supposed brother or sister will not hear the church,
Jay E Adams in his excellent book the Christian Counselor’s Manual explains the steps in church discipline. Jay Adams was a Christian Counselor and member of the Presbyterian Church. He gives a biblical explanation of church discipline.
Reconciliation, then, is the answer to loose ends in interpersonal problems between Christians. But what happens if one of the parties refuses to be reconciled? Christ also anticipated that question in Matthew 18.
First, one brother or sister must go to the other privately in the attempt to square matters (that may not mean just one visit; he must make every possible attempt to do this). But if he exhausts that means, if he tries and tries, yet to no avail because the other steadfastly refuses to be reconciled, then he must take a second step.
Jesus directs that in such situations he must take one or two others with him and go to seek reconciliation again. These others become arbiters or counselors who try to persuade the brother to be reconciled. They become involved and try to bring the two parties together once again by helping them to straighten out the relationship and possibly assisting them in reaching a solution to any problem or problems that may have been the occasion for the separation. They too must work at this (perhaps making several visits if necessary) until they have achieved reconciliation or are convinced that they have done all that it is possible for them to do to no avail.
Reluctantly, if they have failed, at this point they become witnesses, and the whole matter must be brought officially before the church. Then formal discipline takes place. The church (represented by its elders) now officially (i.e., through its officers acting in the presence and with the authority of the risen Christ) seeks to bring about reconciliation. But if the elders also fail (after exhausting every means), the member must be solemnly excommunicated.
At this point the matter has moved over the line from mere reconciliation to formal discipline. But even the discipline, has reconciliation in view. Excommunication is not an end in itself but, at least temporarily, it settles the matter.
Hopefully, this serious act itself at length may bring the offender to repentance. If the supposed brother or sister will not hear the church, he becomes as a heathen and publican (that is, outside of the church, excommunicated).
When he becomes like a heathen and a publican, even then members of the church must seek to counsel him with a view to restoring him in repentance. Paul’s comments on the purpose of church discipline in I Timothy 1:20; II Thessalonians 3:14, 15; I Corinthians 5:5,9, 11; II Corinthians 2: 5-8 are clear about this matter.
Other interesting articles about judging
The Three Steps of Church Discipline
Sizing up everyone but themselves
WHEN BOB HAS A PROBLEM WITH EVERYONE, BOB IS USUALLY THE PROBLEM
What do you do with the accusation?
