Discipline and the Church

1. Disciplineand the Church Church Discipline December 06, 2009

2. Discipline – Definitions Webster’s Online Dictionary (2001). Noun: • A branch of knowledge. • A system of rules of conduct or method of practice. • The trait of being well behaved. • Training to improve strength or self-control. • The act of punishing. Verb: • Train by instruction and practice; esp. to teach self-control. • Punish in order to gain control or enforce obedience. Church Discipline December 06, 2009

3. Discipline – Definitions Mirriam Webster’s Online Dictionary (2009). • Punishment. • (obsolete) Instruction. • A field of study. • Training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character. • a: Control gained by enforcing obedience or order; b: Orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior; c: Self-control. • A rule or system of rules governing conduct or activity. Church Discipline December 06, 2009

4. Discipline – Bible NTGreek “paideia”: • Tutorage, education, training, instruction; primarily denotes training of a child. • Chasten, disciplinary correction Examples. • Eph 6:4. Fatherstrain,discipline their children. See also Prov 13:24, 19:18, 22:15, 23:13-14, 29:15 • Heb 12:3-11. Godchastens, disciplines his children. See also Prov 3:11-12. • Rev 3:19. Jesus rebukes and chastens, disciplines his church. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.” • 2 Tim 3:16. Scriptureinstructs, disciplines its reader or hearer. Church Discipline December 06, 2009

5. Discipline – Instruction 2 Tim 3 & 4. • 2 Tim 3:14-17. 16“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, …” 14 “… you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of …” Why? • 2 Tim 3:1-9. Perilous times and men; 5 “… from such people turn away!” • 2 Tim 4:1-5. 2 “Preach the word!” to combat 3 “itching ears”. Instruction regarding discipline requires the exercise of discipline when giving instruction. Church Discipline December 06, 2009

6. Discipline – Instruction 1 Tim 3 & 4. • 1 Tim 3:14-16. 16 “I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” • 1 Tim 4:1-5, 7. Summary of apostasy. • 1 Tim 4:6, 11, 13, 16. 6 “… instruct the brethren in these things …” 11 “These things command and teach.” 13 “… give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” 16 “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them …” Instruction regarding discipline requires the exercise of discipline when giving instruction. Church Discipline December 06, 2009

7. Discipline – Instruction • Rom 16:1-19. 3-16 “Greet …” 17 “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.” • 2 Jn :4-11. 4-6 “… walking in truth … according to His commandments.” 10 “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” • Titus 1:9 – 2:1.Elders rebuke with sound doctrine insubordinate, idle talkers, deceivers. (See also 1 Tim 3:4-5  1 Tim 3:14 – 4:16.) • Acts 20:27-32.Paul exhorts the Ephesian elders to guard heed the flock against the wolves. • Acts 17:11. Discipline of the hearer is also needed. • Eph 4:11-16.Whole church equips saints to be disciplined in doctrine. Church Discipline December 06, 2009

8. Discipline – Correction 1 Cor 5:1-13. 1 “… sexual immorality among you … not even named among Gentiles” See Rom 1:28-31; 1 Cor 6:9-10. 2,6 “And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, … your glorying is not good.” See Rom 6:1-2. 3 “For I indeed … have already judged him who has done this deed.” 12 “Do you not judge those who are inside?” Compare Mt 7:1-6; Rom 14:13 with Jn 7:24; Jn 12:47-48; 1 Cor 2:14-16. Church Discipline December 06, 2009

9. Discipline – Correction 1 Cor 5:1-13. 11 “… not to keep company with anyone named a brother who is sexually immoral … not even to eat with such a person.” See Mt 18:15-17 (“let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”) Compare with 1 Corinthians 10:27-33. 7 “… purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump” See Mt 16:5-12. 13 “… put away from yourselves the evil person.” See Deut 13:1-5; 17:2-7; 17:8-13; 21:18-21; 22:13-30. See also Acts 5:1-11; 1 Tim 5:20. Church Discipline December 06, 2009

10. Discipline – Correction 1 Cor 5:1-13. 5 “… deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved …” See 2 Cor 2:6-9; Gal 6:1; Jms 5:19-20. Consider Lk 15:11-32. 2 Thess 3:6-15. 6 “But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. … 13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” Church Discipline December 06, 2009

11. Eph 5:25-27. 25 “… just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. Church Discipline December 06, 2009

12. Disciplineand the Church Church Discipline December 06, 2009