CHURCH DISCIPLINE

Greek Definition:

sophronismos meaning to correct; to teach; an admonishing or calling to soundness of mind or to self control.

Scripture References:

1.             Matthew 5:23-24 “Thy brother hath ought against thee…Go thy way first be reconciled to thy brother and then come and offer thy gift.”

2.             Matthew 18:15-18 “If thy brother trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone…take with thee one or two more…tell it unto the church…let him be unto thee as heathen man and a publican.”

3.             Acts 5:1-11, 13-14 “Ananias and Sapphira disciplined by death…No one dared join them.”

4.             Romans 16:17 “Mark them which cause divisions and offenses to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them.”

5.             I Corinthians 5:11-12 “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or and idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner: with such an one not to eat.  For what have I to do to judge them also that are without?  Do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth.  Therefore, put away from among yourselves that wicked person.”

6.             I Corinthians 11:31 “Judge ourselves, we should not be judged.”

7.             I Corinthians 11:28 “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”

8.             II Corinthians 2:6-8 “Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.  So that contrawise ye ought rather to forgive him, comfort him and confirm you love toward him.”

9.             II Corinthians 10:8 “Our authority which the Lord hath given us for edification and not for your destruction.”

10.         Galatians 6:1 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

11.         Ephesians 4:22 “Put off…putting away…let no corrupt communication proceed.”

12.         Ephesians 5:1-21 “Let it not once be named among you…be not partakers with them…have no fellowship.”

13.         Ephesians 5:26 “That Christ might sanctify and cleanse the church with the washing of water by the Word.”

14.         I Thessalonians 5:14 “Brethren, warn them that are unruly.”

15.         II Thessalonians 3:6-15 “Withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which ye have received of us.  If any man obey not our word by this Epistle not that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.  Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”

16.         I Timothy 5:1, 19-20 “Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren.  Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.  Them that sin rebuke before all that others also may fear.  Observe these things without partiality.”

17.         II Timothy 4:2 “Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

18.         Titus 1:13 “Rebuke sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.”

19.         Titus 2:15 “Speak and exhort, and rebuke with all authority.  Let no man despise you.”

20.         Titus 3:10 “A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject.”

21.         Hebrews 13:17 “Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy.”

22.         James 5:15 “And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”

23.         James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another that ye may be healed.  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

24.         I Peter 1:6-7 “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of you faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”

25.         II John 10-11 “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house neither bid him God’s speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”

Note: A Scripture that is often used for not bringing discipline in the church is Matthew 13:30 “Let both (wheat & tares) grow together until the harvest.”  But Matthew 13:46-41 says, “The field is the world.”(not the church.)