INTRODUCTION
From the time of the early church, discipline has been a practice for the church. In the Bible we note instances where people were disciplined for wrong doing. The Baptist church has practised different types of church discipline over the centuries.
PURPOSE OF DISCIPLINE
There is a twofold purpose for discipline. One is preventive and the other is remedial. When believers, as members of the church, know that they are accountable to the church and that they will have to answer for their conduct, they will, if they are wise, avoid a situation that would expose them to a disciplinary hearing and its verdict. For believers who have conducted themselves in a manner that is wrong and brought disrepute to the church, it is important to help them to mend their ways
The purpose of church discipline is to correct wrong behaviour and not to embarrass or punish people. Our Lord Jesus Christ who is the head of the church desires that the church which is also the bride of Christ should be pure. If a Christian behaves in a way that is dishonouring to Christ it affects the witness of the church. Such behaviour should not be tolerated among believers.
TYPES OF SIN
Private sin A private sin is something a person says or does that is wrong and needs correction. A sin like a lie is a private sin if it does not involve others or the public
Public sin A public sin is something that a person does that becomes public knowledge as a sin. Such a sin may be stealing that results in conviction through a court of law and is known to the congregation or to the general public. Leviticus 6:2-4 (NIV)2 “If anyone sins and is unfaithful to the LORD by deceiving a neighbor about something entrusted to them or left in their care or about something stolen, or if they cheat their neighbor,3 or if they find lost property and lie about it, or if they swear falsely about any such sin that people may commit—4 when they sin in any of these ways and realize their guilt, they must return what they have stolen or taken by extortion, or what was entrusted to them, or the lost property they found.
Congregational sin A congregational sin is a sin which is done inside or within the congregation. Something may be said or done that disrupts fellowship, brings too much attention to oneself, dishonours God, causes discouragement etc. Such sins may include publicly accusing someone; provocative dressing; making outrageous statements.
Damaging sin A damaging sin is a sin which damaged the reputation of another person by attributing wrong doing of the person against facts. The effect of such sin damages the reputation of another. It is important that wronged person/s in this regard be apologized to and necessary steps be taken to inform those who know of the damage and set it right by correcting the facts. Colossians 3:8(NIV)But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
Doctrinal sin 1 Corinthians 6:19(NIV) 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; Doctrinal sin is erroneous teaching. There are certain teachings in the Bible that are fundamental. Such teachings must not be compromised with. Such teachings include the doctrine of the Trinity (Father, Son and the Holy Spirit); salvation; the virgin birth; the second coming of Christ etc. Loyalty to people who teach wrong doctrine is as good as approving such wrong teaching.1 Timothy 4:16 (NIV)Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
ERROR OR WRONG DOING THAT ATTRACTS DISCIPLINE
The basis for error or wrong-doing that attracts discipline will be the following:
- Violating conditions for membership (refer to church membership manual) like missing church for a period of three months. Hebrews 10:24-25(NIV) And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
- Teaching erroneous doctrine and supporting or showing allegiance to false teachers (refer to church membership manual for statement of beliefs).1 Timothy 4:16 (NIV)Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
- Violation of the church covenant (refer to church manual)James 5:12 (NIV) Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.
- Sex Sins - fornication, adultery, rape, paedophilia, homosexuality etc. 1 Corinthians 5:9 (NIV)9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people
- Drug abuse and Substance Abuse 1 Corinthians 6:19(NIV)19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
1 John 2:16 (NIV)For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.
- Divorce. Divorce is a complex issue as it involves two people. The leadership shall be involved in helping couples struggling with difficult marriage relationships. A person who pursues divorce against pastoral guidance will be subjected to discipline. A status of being divorced does not necessarily attract discipline.
- Theft - Ephesians 4:28(NIV)28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
- Impropriety - 1 Thessalonians 5:22(KJV)2 Shun every appearance of evil. Ephesians 5:3 (NIV) But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.
- Sowing discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16,19(NIV)16 There are six things the LORD hates,seven that are detestable to him …………a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
- Gossip James 1:26 (NIV)26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Proverbs 10:13 (NIV) 13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense. Proverbs 16:28 (NIV)A perverse person stirs up conflict,and a gossip separates close friends.
The list is not exhaustive but is a guide.
TYPES OF CHURCH DISCIPLE
Private Rebuke A private wrong should be met by a private rebuke.Matthew 18:15 (NIV)“If your brother or sistersins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.
Public Rebuke A public rebuke is necessary for a scandal that has been known publicly. For instance if a person in a congregation says things that are wrong, it is better to rebuke them in the congregate.Galatians 2:11-14 NIV." When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. [12] For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. [13] The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. [14] When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?"
Public Confession A public confession for public sin is fitting. A member who commits public sin also wrongs their congregation. It is important to deal with this matter publicly. A public demonstrates remorse. The Bible says: Confess your sins to one another so that you may be healed (James 5:16). Clearly it means that where confession has not taken place the “body” is sick. Confession of sin publicly stops gossip and rumour mongering which is very bad for the church of God. Confession of sin privately and publicly shows that we are accountable to one another and that we are willing to take responsibility for anything that brings the church into disrepute.
Stop someone from holding a position A person who is holding some position and is involved in a scandal may be told to step down as part of discipline. A person holds a position because of the confidence the church has in the person. If the confidence is lost, they should step down. As part of discipline those that are in leadership positions will be asked to step down for a period. The period is for as long as there is evidence that true repentance has taken place. No person can lead or minister while he is being disciplined. Sin affects our witness and it becomes outstanding compared to the gospel we want to proclaim.
Stop someone from ministering for a period of time When a member is involved in a scandal they have lost their credibility. When credibility is lost, a person's capacity to minister is seriously hindered. No matter how skilled or gifted you may be in ministry, character is what matters most. When they regain their credibility they may resume to minister.
Termination of membership When a church member rejects the counsel of the church and they have been delinquent their membership shall be revoked. This does not mean they are banned from coming to church.
PROCEDURES
The guiding principle for the procedure of discipline shall be based on Matthew 18:15-17 NIV "If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. [16] But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' [17] If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector."
SUMMARY
The purpose of church discipline is to correct wrong behaviour and not to embarrass or punish people. Our Lord Jesus Christ who is the head of the church desires that the church which is also the bride of Christ should be pure. If a Christian behaves in a way that is dishonouring to Christ it affects the witness of the church. Such behaviour should not be tolerated among believers.
We believe that private sins should be dealt with privately. We also believe that public sins should be confessed publicly. The Bible says: Confess your sins to one another so that you may be healed (James 5:16). Clearly it means that where confession has not taken place the “body” is sick. Confession of sin publicly stops gossip and rumour mongering which is very bad for the church of God. Confession of sin privately and publicly shows that we are accountable to one another and that we are willing to take responsibility for anything that brings the church into disrepute.
As part of discipline those that are in leadership positions will be asked to step down for a period. The period is for as long as there is evidence that true repentance has taken place. No person can lead or minister while he is being disciplined. Sin affects our witness and it becomes outstanding compared to the gospel we want to proclaim.
