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Verse:

15 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.

16 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.

17 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.

Verse:

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

1 Corinthians 5:4-5, 11

Verse:

4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and in my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

5 To deliver such an one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. . . .

11 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 an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

2 Thessalonians 3:4-6

Verse:

4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.

5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

2 Thessalonians 3:11-15

Verse:

11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

1 Timothy 1:18-20

Verse:

18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went on before thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

19 Holding faith, and a good conscience, which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

1 Timothy 5:19-21

Verse:

19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

1. True or False The early church practiced church discipline. (Mt 18:15-20; 1 Cor 5; 2 Thes 3)
2. True or False The use of discipline was effective in the early church. (2 Cor. 2:3-11)
3. True or False The practice of church discipline is optional for churches today.
4. Paul told the Corinthians the practice of church discipline was a test to see if they would be _________________ in all things. (2 Cor. 2:9)
5. True or False We can be obedient in all things without practicing church discipline.
6. True or False Paul said church discipline was designed to run people out of the church (1 Cor. 5:5; 1 Tim. 1:20; 2 Thes. 3:15)
7. We are exempt from practicing church discipline when: (place a check (ü) by all that apply)

1. _____ we do not think it will work.
2. _____ we think it will offend someone.
3. _____ it might affect our budget.
4. _____ it affects our family relationships.
5. _____ no other congregations in the area are practicing it.
6. _____ congregations down the road will take disfellowshiped members into their number.

8. If the answer to any on #7 is true, then which of the following statements are also true?

1. "Preaching the plan of salvation will not work, so let’s not do it."
2. "If we don’t make Brother X a deacon or an elder, he might leave." (Even though Brother X is not qualified to serve in either position.)
3. "Brother X and Sister Y are unscripturally married. They are generous contributors, so do not preach on Divorce and Remarriage, or they may leave and take their money with them."

9. True or False God commanded church discipline to help keep the local church pure.
10. True or False By refusing to practice church discipline, we sin willfully. (Jam 4:17; Heb 10:26)
11. Defining terms:

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 — "warn the unruly" unruly = disobedient, out of control
2. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 — "walketh disorderly"

1. "walketh" = live, conduct one’s life
2. "disorderly" = unruly (cf. 1 Thes 5:14) common usage = out of line, disarranged

3. Titus 3:10-11 — "heretick" = factious, divisive (cf Rom 16:17-18)

For consideration: We have accused congregations of failing to teach and uphold the truth relative to Divorce and Remarriage because some of their members (including some quite wealthy) were in unscriptural marriage situations. Our reasoning is that they are protecting a large budget and attempting to maintain standing in the religious community.

Question: What is the difference between a failure to teach and practice church discipline and a failure to teach and practice the truth regarding Divorce and Remarriage?

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