Most of those who have passed through school dread the mention of the word discipline. They associate discipline with canes, slaps and slashing. In church affairs, discipline is defined as the execution of the laws by which the church is governed, and infliction of the penalties enjoined against offenders, who profess Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives. The discipline exercised in the church is done in accordance with the Word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit who represents a God of discipline, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth”(Hebrews 12:6). The Bible even goes on to state that a son whom the Father does not discipline or train is a bastard or and illegitimate child (Hebrews 12:8).
Before the church goes ahead to discipline any believer a series of steps have to be followed. The first step is for the person who has known about the sin of the brother to speak about it with him privately and call on him to repent, “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” (Matthew 18:15). When the brother refuses to listen then one or two more church members are taken to confront the 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” (Matthew 18:16). When they still remain adamant then the matter is brought before the entire church, but if they refuse to repent then they are chased from the church, “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 a heathen man and a publican” (Matthew 18:17). This scripture shows us that one of the disciplinary methods available to the church is expulsion and treating the offenders like unbelievers.
Another disciplinary measure is rebuking the believer publicly. This is usually warranted when the sin committed is of a public nature and where the person who has committed it is holding a public ministry office in the church. Apostle Paul exercised this form of discipline upon Apostle Peter at Antioch, “But when Peter was come to Antioch, I WITHSTOOD HIM TO THE FACE, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision… I said unto Peter BEFORE THEM ALL, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?” (Galatians 2:11-14). Apostle Paul discovered that Apostle Peter had stopped having meals at the homes of the Gentile (non-Jewish) Christians when some brethren came from Jerusalem. This had even led Barnabas and other believers astray and Apostle Paul went ahead to publicly rebuke him for it. The elders in Church who include Pastors who sin should be rebuked by the Apostles and even removed from their offices for a period if it is necessary, “Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin REBUKE BEFORE ALL, that others also may fear” (1 Timothy 5:19-20). This scripture teaches us that discipline against any believer and especially elders should be carried out after thorough investigations with two or more witnesses being produced. This rules out malicious accusations and lies.
Refusing to associate with a Christian in the assembly is another disciplinary measure, “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” (2 Thessalonians 3:14). Here the church leaders refuse the church members from associating, visiting or meeting the offender. This is usually done for believers who continue habitually in a certain sin.
The last resort when a believer has been warned about the sin in their lives but refuses to change or repent is expulsion from the church. Apostle Paul told the Church at Corinth to, “PUT AWAY from among yourselves that wicked person” (1 Corinthians 5:13). However this is not a permanent expulsion but a temporary suspension until the offender has changed. Apostle Paul later writes to the Corinthian church in his second epistle to restore that previously adulterous brother into the church, “Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow” (2 Corinthians 2:6-7). This man had received a sufficient punishment and could now be restored into the church.
Discipline should only be exercised by those in spiritual authority since the scriptures say, “For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Romans 13:4). An example of this authority was when Ananias and Saphira died in the presence of Apostle Peter who was one of the Apostolic pillars and leaders of the church at Jerusalem. They publicly lied that they had brought the full amount of the land they had sold yet in reality they only brought half of it into the offering bag (Acts 5:1-11). The sword which the ministers of God bear is a sword of discipline. A person who exercises discipline over another should have been helping to build up the spiritual life of that believer in the first place. There is no room for disciplining someone who is not under a spiritual leader’s jurisdiction (2 Corinthians 10:13).
Many churches have neglected the discipline of God towards their members and have hidden under the disguise of love and grace. Apostle Paul was the greatest preacher of grace but he recommended the expulsion of the fornicator from the Corinthian Church (1 Corinthians 5&6). Some others have taken discipline too far and inflicted unjust punishments upon believers that have instead led them to turn away from Christ. Discipline should always be done in love. The offender may feel as if the church does not love him so they church should confirm their love towards them when they have been restored (2 Corinthians 2:7). It is only a spineless and fatherless Christian leadership that does not discipline the sheep under its care.