Selected Scriptures
Ps Paul Cheng
“…discipline forms the ligaments which connect the members together…”
~6 min read
Dear Bethelites,
The Belgic Confession (1561), which grew out of the Reformation soil, identifies three characteristics by which the true church is known. These marks are (1) the preaching of pure doctrine, (2) the administration of the sacraments and (3) the exercising of church discipline. But sadly, Christians today are concerned about discipleship, yet they are not committed to the principles of discipline to confront and correct an erring disciple.
John Calvin felt strongly enough about church discipline to devote a full chapter to the subject in his Institutes. He said, “As the saving doctrine of Christ is the soul of the Church, so discipline forms the ligaments which connect the members together, and keep each in its proper place.” R.C. Sproul states, “The church is called out not only to a ministry of reconciliation, but a ministry of nurture to those within her gates. Part of that nurture includes church discipline.” 1
Church discipline may be broadly defined as the “confrontive” and corrective measures taken by the church leaders, regarding a matter of sin in the life of a believer. 2 Church discipline, administered in a concerned and loving manner, will help the believers to face the reality that their sinful actions are inconsistent with their profession of Christian faith. Thus, church discipline is designed to awaken people to their sin and move them to repentance.
Any church that neglects to lovingly confront and correct its members is not being kind, generous or gracious. Such a church is really hindering the Lord’s work and the advance of Christ’s kingdom. A neglect of discipline results in an impure church. Paul writes,…Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 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 (Ephesians 5:25-27).
Biblical Procedures Church discipline is sometimes attempted by those who have not taken the time to understand what the Scriptures teach. The results can be disastrous. The wise course of action would be to follow the directions which Christ, the builder of the church, has provided in Matthew 18:15–17. Whether the sin should be open and flagrant, rather than private or individual, it should still be publicly rebuked from the onset. If so, then discipline in the church should move along the four basic steps to correction: (1) Private admonition, (2) Private conference, (3) Public announcement, and (4) Public exclusion.
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican (Matthew 18:15–17).
- Private Admonition
Private admonition is the first level, whether by pastors, elders, deacons or the individual lay person. Whether the sin is against thee or not, it is clear from Galatians 6:1 that believers have a responsibility to confront sin in general. He is to arrange a private meeting and confront the brother or sister with the sin.
To tell the sinning brother, is to bring to light that he has committed something that is wrong. And this first confrontation must be in private. Jesus uses the words between thee and him alone. In other words, the matter should not be brought up in public and in conversation with anyone else before speaking to that erring brother or sister in private. This prevents misunderstandings from taking place. If the one, who has confronted, heeds what he says and either clarifies the issue or recognizes the sin and repents of it, that person is saved for usefulness in the body of Christ.
- Private Conference
Many personal offences and issues of sin can be dealt with adequately at the private level. But if that private admonition is rejected, discipline is escalated to the second level – admonition in the presence of witnesses. In the legal process, the absence of witnesses or the existence of only one witness makes securing a conviction difficult. The biblical requirement of additional witnesses safeguards the judicial process against false accusation, slander, and wrongful incrimination. In the disciplinary process, those who have observed a sin in the life of a believer are able to strengthen the rebuke by confirming the charges. As Hendriksen comments, “It may be easier for two or three persons to succeed in this task than for one.” 3
The two or three witnesses can bear testimony to the discussion. The fact that you are in a larger group of believers, there is a strong accountability and it may be well enough to win the erring brethren’s attention that he needs to deal with the sin, or else the matter will be brought before the church. If he repents, you have served and won him.
- Public Announcement
The third step in the process is to tell it to the church; the church is more than just the assembled body; it involves church leadership and primarily the board of elders. Here the witnesses may also serve to bring new objectivity to the situation by helping the truth to surface, and could be called upon to testify if the case comes before the congregation. While a witness actually may not have been present during the act, he should be able to present evidence beyond reasonable doubt that an act of sin occurred.
Bringing a matter of sin to a brother’s attention in the presence of witnesses may seem threatening or intimidating. Yet the purpose is not to threaten or intimidate the sinner into repentance. The intent is to cause the offender to realize the seriousness of the situation. At this juncture, the church will be informed who the person is and the nature of the sin. The pastor and elders will take the responsibility to investigate the situation and subsequently they may also involve the witnesses to help verify certain matters.
If the brother refuses to repent, the congregation will be notified. The congregation will be told who the person is and the general nature of the sin. This is not a removal from the church but for the church to be involved as a body, seeking the repentance of the individual. If the matter still cannot be resolved at this point, then the next step would be public exclusion.
- Public Exclusion
For the offender who remained unrepentant even at that level, there is one final step in the discipline for that impenitent sinner. He should be cut off from the church fellowship, …but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican (v.17b). Jesus was simply instructing His disciples that they treat the impenitent as is the custom with heathens (Gentiles) and publicans (tax-collectors). 4
In ecclesiastical terminology, this is referred to as “excommunication.” The word is derived from the Latin ex (“out”) and communico (“share, communicate”). It refers to the cutting off of a person from the church membership, fellowship, or communion. No longer may that person share in the activities and privileges of a church membership.
Sometimes, an offender will refuse or for whatever reasons, he may not come before the church to face the charges against him. In that case, the church discipline must still proceed in his absence. In other cases, the public rebuke, exhortation, or warning is heard but goes unheeded. In either case, after the church leaders and congregation have unsuccessfully made every effort to bring the sinner to repentance, they must excommunicate the offender from the church fellowship.
As strong as this disciplinary step is, it is still intended to bring about repentance. Even this most severe step in church discipline should be motivated out of love and fulfilled in a way that encourages repentance and restoration. Excommunication should communicate the message, “We find your present conduct unacceptable to God and this congregation. Our love for you therefore demands that we take action which, though painful, we hope by God’s grace will result in your repentance and restoration to us.”
With love in Christ,
Pastor Paul Cheng
1 R.C. Sproul, In Search of Dignity(Ventura, California: Regal Books, 1983), 182.
2 J.Carl Laney, A Guide to Church Discipline (Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1977), 14.
3 William Hendriksen, Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1973), 700.
4 Gentiles were considered as outsiders with regard to the divine blessings promised to Israel.
STANDALONE2023 ACM Preamble2023 ACM Preamble1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Essential Attitudes for the New YearEssential Attitudes for the New Year1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Jerinah Orgasan’s TestimonyJerinah Orgasan’s TestimonyNumbers 6:24-26
Pr Donald Dela Cruz’s TestimonyPr Donald Dela Cruz’s TestimonySelected Scriptures
The Providence of God in Bringing First BPC and Bethel BPC into OneThe Providence of God in Bringing First BPC and Bethel BPC into OneSelected Scriptures
Five Exhortations for the New Year by Charles SpurgeonFive Exhortations for the New Year by Charles SpurgeonSelected Scriptures
Charles Spurgeon on ChristmasCharles Spurgeon on ChristmasSelected Scriptures
Eulogies for Eliana GanEulogies for Eliana GanSelected Scriptures
Why KJV is the Best Translation of the Bible?Why KJV is the Best Translation of the Bible?Selected Scriptures
Church’s Responsibility To Implement Discipline (Part 1)Church’s Responsibility To Implement Discipline (Part 1)Selected Scriptures
The Fear Of The LordThe Fear Of The LordProverbs 1:7
Nevertheless… Thou Has Left Thy First LoveNevertheless… Thou Has Left Thy First LoveRevelation 2:4-5
What Is The Goal Of The Christian Life?What Is The Goal Of The Christian Life?Philippians 3:17
What About Evangelism? (Part 2)What About Evangelism? (Part 2)Selected Scriptures
TEMPLATE: StandaloneTEMPLATE: StandaloneWhat About Evangelism? (Part 1)What About Evangelism? (Part 1)Selected Scriptures
Dull Of HearingDull Of HearingHebrews 5:11-14
Not Forsaking The Assembling Of The SaintsNot Forsaking The Assembling Of The SaintsHebrews 10:25
A Short ReportA Short ReportSelected Scriptures
The Responsibility Of The Church To Strengthen The Believer Through PrayersThe Responsibility Of The Church To Strengthen The Believer Through PrayersSelected Scriptures
Living In The Fulness Of The SpiritLiving In The Fulness Of The SpiritEphesians 5:18
The Importance Of The Church — Church MembershipThe Importance Of The Church — Church Membership1 Timothy 3:15
The Bible-Presbyterian Form Of Church GovernmentThe Bible-Presbyterian Form Of Church GovernmentSelected Scriptures
The Man Of SorrowThe Man Of SorrowIsaiah 53:1-12
The Triumphant EntryThe Triumphant EntryMatthew 21:1-9
A Matter To Commit To PrayerA Matter To Commit To PrayerSelected Scriptures
A Short TestimonyA Short TestimonySelected Scriptures
My Son, Be Strong!My Son, Be Strong!2 Timothy 2:1-7
Testimony & EncouragementTestimony & EncouragementSelected Scriptures
The Doctrine Of Biblical Separation (Part 2)The Doctrine Of Biblical Separation (Part 2)2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15
“Be Filled With The Spirit”: A Short Reflection“Be Filled With The Spirit”: A Short ReflectionEphesians 5:18-33
The Doctrine Of Biblical Separation (Part 1)The Doctrine Of Biblical Separation (Part 1)Ephesians 5:1-18
The Man Of GodThe Man Of God1 Timothy 6:11-14
A Time To Build (Part 2)A Time To Build (Part 2)Ephesians 4:11-13
A Time To Build (Part 1)A Time To Build (Part 1)Ephesians 4:11-13
The Greatest Assurance In LifeThe Greatest Assurance In Life2 Peter 1:10
New YearNew YearProverbs 16:33
But Mary Pondered Them In Her HeartBut Mary Pondered Them In Her HeartLuke 2:19
My Mission Trip To Singapore & IndonesiaMy Mission Trip To Singapore & IndonesiaLuke 1:78
10 Lessons From Spurgeon On Luther’s Life And Ministry10 Lessons From Spurgeon On Luther’s Life And MinistryBefore You JudgeBefore You JudgeMatthew 7:3-5
Greetings From Our Philippines Missions PartnerGreetings From Our Philippines Missions PartnerSelected Scriptures
Greetings From Our Myanmar Missions ChurchGreetings From Our Myanmar Missions ChurchSelected Scriptures
A Blessed 39th AnniversaryA Blessed 39th AnniversaryGalatians 1:10-12
Reaffirmation Of Faith TestimonyReaffirmation Of Faith TestimonyProverbs 3:5-6
YPG Camp TestimonyYPG Camp TestimonyProverbs 27:17; Hebrews 10:24
Honour The WidowsHonour The Widows1 Timothy 5:3
A Blessed Time Of Fellowship With Our Myanmar BrethrenA Blessed Time Of Fellowship With Our Myanmar BrethrenPsalm 133:1
The Spirit’s Indwelling Ministry In The Old TestamentThe Spirit’s Indwelling Ministry In The Old TestamentJohn 7:39, 14, 16
Thanksgiving On Relief 2025Thanksgiving On Relief 2025Selected Scriptures
The Lord’s ComingThe Lord’s ComingSelected Scriptures
Commemorating The Passion WeekCommemorating The Passion WeekSelected Scriptures
Update For CongregationUpdate For Congregation1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
Comfort For A New YearComfort For A New Year2 Samuel 22:47
The Meaning Of ChristmasThe Meaning Of ChristmasWhy KJV Is The Best English Translation Of The BibleWhy KJV Is The Best English Translation Of The BibleSelected Scriptures
A Blessed 38th AnniversaryA Blessed 38th Anniversary1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Now Therefore Fear The Lord And Serve HimNow Therefore Fear The Lord And Serve HimJoshua 24:14
2024 YPG Camp2024 YPG Camp1 Corinthians 13
An Example Of The BelieversAn Example Of The Believers1 Timothy 4:12
True Life BPC CampTrue Life BPC CampSelected Scriptures
The Ordination Of Jeffrey Tial Hre Mang & Ngalti BPC Camp 2024The Ordination Of Jeffrey Tial Hre Mang & Ngalti BPC Camp 2024Selected Scriptures
Christ Lifted Up!Christ Lifted Up!John 12:32-33
A Willing HeartA Willing HeartExodus 35:5
A Brief Report of Myanmar Missions ChurchA Brief Report of Myanmar Missions ChurchSelected Scriptures
God Sent His SonGod Sent His SonMatthew 21:33-46