What is a church?
A church is an assembly of Christians in a given place; see here.
What is church discipline?
Church discipline is the process whereby these Christians correct each other. It’s part of our obedience to what Paul teaches: do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4)
What are the different parts of church discipline?
The first part is the duty of Christians to each other; the second is the duty of the church to those who need correction.
Where does the Scripture teach this?
Jesus teaches this in Matthew 18 where He distinguishes between the responsibility of individual Christians to each other and the responsibility of the church’s leadership.
If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. (Matthew 18:15-18)
How are we to understand Jesus’ teaching here?
Christians have understood and applied these words by distinguishing between fraternal or brotherly correction and ecclesiastical or church censure.
What is fraternal correction?
These are the steps Jesus taught Christians to use when they are offended by another believer and are seeking reconciliation.
If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. “But if he does not listen, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. (Matthew 18:15-17)
The important thing to note is that fraternal correction is something that does not involve the church. When the steps of fraternal correction fail to bring resolution, then the church becomes involved.
What are the steps of fraternal correction?
The first is when the offended Christian meets with the offending person privately.
Does this apply to all offenses?
The teaching of Jesus here applies to private offenses.
What if the offending brother refuses to reconcile?
Then, the offended brother takes with him some trusted witnesses to see if a resolution can be found and reconciliation secured in the hearing of these witnesses.
What is the purpose of these witnesses?
Note Jesus’ words above where He says that the purpose of these witnesses is that in their hearing, every word may be established or confirmed. Thus, these witnesses can testify to what really took place at the meeting and confirm that a good faith effort was made towards reconciliation.
What if no resolution can be found even when witnesses are used?
Jesus says that the issue must be laid before the church for their decision. This is called ecclesiastical censure.
What is ecclesiastical censure?
This is when reconciliation cannot be secured by the steps of fraternal correction. In these cases, Jesus instructs His people to lay the matter before the church. (Matthew 18:17) The church then proceeds to weigh the matter and to proceed with discipline as they see fit.
What other considerations should move us when we think about beginning a process of fraternal correction?
Before we begin such a process, we should consider the following:
First whether the offense we from a brother/sister is sufficient to warrant a confrontation. A good question here is whether the offense was against ourselves or against God or against another believer? If it was a personal insult to ourselves, we should consider overlooking it and moving on. Recall Paul’s exhortation “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” (Romans 12:18)
Second, is there any reason to believe that our brother/sister will come to a recognition of his/her fault without our intervention? Perhaps others are already handling the situation and our involvement is unnecessary or perhaps even counter-productive. Perhaps there might be another person who is in a better position to carry forward this process than ourselves. Assuming that others know about the sin, perhaps there is someone closer to this individual who might have a higher chance of success than we.
Third, was the sin committed a public one? In this case, one is not bound to the steps of fraternal correction since the sin cannot be hidden. This isn’t to say, of course, that a Christian brother or sister shouldn’t attempt to reach out to someone and humbly seek to win them over in a way of loving conversation even if the church has become involved.
Fourth, even if the sin is a private one, we should consider whether a person(s) safety is in question. In this case, a delay could bring great harm to a person who is in danger. If this case is sufficiently severe, the entire process should be laid aside and the police called to protect those involved. Again, these cases call for a great deal of discernment and wisdom.
What principles should guide a Christian as he seeks to carry out this process?
- He should always aim for peace, and not a personal victory.
- He should bathe the entire process in fervent prayer that God would prevent him from acting out of pride or malice.
- He should always be ready to bury an insult or to overlook an injustice than to bring further shame on the Name of Christ. Paul even urges the Corinthians to accept injustices and to let the matter drop. Why not let yourselves be cheated? (1 Corinthians 6:7) he asks them.
Did Paul sin against Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 18 when he publicly rebuked Peter for his sudden change of behavior towards the Gentile-Christians?
Note that Peter’s sin was a public one that called for a public rebuke and not for the steps of fraternal correction.