Correção na Igreja

Correção na Igreja

Let me close by saying that unity in the church is of the utmost importance to God. It was the last thing that was on Jesus' mind the night before he died. It broke Paul's heart to hear that there was disunity within the Corinthian church. 

Let's make maintaining our unity one of our top priorities. The only way we can maintain unity in this church is to stay focused on the main thing. What is the main thing? It's not your pet doctrine! Neither is it your favorite preacher! The writer of Hebrews tells us that we are to look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Jesus is the main thing because he is the only one who died for you. So let's fix our eyes solely on Jesus.

1 Co 5.12-13

1 Co 5.6-8

Tito 3.10

1 Ti 5.20

The Purposes 
of Church Discipline

(1) To bring glory to God and enhance the testimony of the flock.

(2) To restore, heal, and build up sinning believers ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Matt. 18:15; 2 HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Thess. 3:14-15; HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Heb. 12:10-13; HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Gal. 6:1-2; HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Jam. 5:20).

(3) To produce a healthy faith, one sound in doctrine ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Tit. 1:13; 1 HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Tim. 1:19-20).

(4) To win a soul to Christ, if the sinning person is only a professing Christian ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" 2 Tim. 2:24-26).

(5) To silence false teachers and their influence in the church ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Tit. 1:10-11).

(6) To set an example for the rest of the body and promote godly fear ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" 1 Tim. 5:20).

(7) To protect the church against the destructive consequences that occur when churches fail to carry out church discipline. A church that fails to exercise discipline experiences four losses:

The Loss of Purity: Church discipline is vital to the purity of the local body and its protection from moral decay and impure doctrinal influences. Why? Because a little leaven leavens the entire lump ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" 1 Cor. 5:6-7). This is the “rotten apple” problem or the “snowball” effect. 

An illustration of this is the Corinthian church which showed a lack of concern for purity. They neglected the responsibility to discipline and suffered as a result. Their insensitivity to one moral issue may have led to their compromise on other issues. Laney writes, “The Corinthians engaged in lawsuits, misused their liberty, profaned the Lord’s Supper, neglected the primacy of love, failed to regulate the use of their gifts, and questioned the resurrection.” HYPERLINK "http://bible.org/article/church-discipline" \l "P33_5073" 3 Failure in church discipline in Corinth could be compared to a snowball tumbling downhill.

The Loss of Power: Sin in the life of the church grieves the person of the Holy Spirit and quenches His power. If sin remains unchecked by the loving application of church discipline in a body of believers, the Holy Spirit must abandon such a church to its own carnal resources. The unavoidable result will be the loss of the Lord’s blessing until the sin is dealt with. 

The defeat of Israel because of the sin of Achan in HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Joshua 7 illustrates the principle. This is just as true for the church today, especially when we know certain things exist but ignore them or simply look the other way because it is difficult to deal with or because it involves one of our friends and we do not want to risk causing problems in the relationship.

The Loss of Progress: A church that refuses to practice church discipline will see its ministry decline. The church may want to grow and reach out and it may try all kinds of stop gap measures, promotional campaigns, and programs in an attempt to turn things around, but if there is sin in the camp, it will all be to no avail. See HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Revelation 2:5 and 3:16 for illustrations of this principle.

The Loss of Purpose: As His ambassadors to a lost and dying world, God has called the church to be a holy people, a people who, standing out as distinct from the world, proclaim the excellencies of the works of God in Christ ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" 1 Pet. 1:14-16; 2:9-15). If this is to occur, we must be different from the world and church discipline helps us to both remember and maintain that purpose. One of the recurring judgments against the church today as demonstrated in various polls taken across the country is the fact there is little or no difference between the church and the secular world when it comes to attitudes, values, morals, and lifestyle. We have lost our sense of purpose.

The Practice 
of Church Discipline

The Manner

The above goals or purposes automatically govern the spirit in which all disciplinary action is to be given. Thus:

(1) Discipline must be done by those who are spiritual, truly walking by the Holy Spirit and growing in the Lord ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Gal. 6:1).

(2) Discipline must be done in a spirit of humility, gentleness and patience, looking to ourselves lest we too be tempted ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Gal. 6:1-2; 2 HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Tim. 2:24-25).

(3) Discipline must be done without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" 1 Tim. 5:21).

(4) Those who walk disorderly are to be admonished, warned, and appealed to in love ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" 1 Thess. 5:14-15; 1 HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Tim. 5:1-2; HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Eph. 4:15; 2 HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Tim. 4:2). This admonishing, is not restricted to church leaders, but may be done by any person in the body with another if that person is Spirit controlled and spiritually minded (cf. HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" 1 Thess. 5:14 with HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Gal. 6:1).

(5) If there is no response in repentance and obedience, then the sinning believer is to be rebuked publicly and members of the body are to withhold intimate fellowship through the process and procedure of group disapproval and social ostracism as prescribed in the next section, Procedures for Church Discipline below ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" 2 Thess. 3:6, 14-15; HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Tit. 3:10; 1 HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Tim. 5:20). This action has a two-fold objective:

It is to indicate to the offender that his/her action has dishonored the Lord and has caused a rupture in the harmony of the body. The goal is always restoration and the person is still to be counted as a brother ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" 2 Thess. 3:14-15).

It is to create fear in the rest of the flock as a warning against sin ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" 1 Tim. 5:20).

(6) If there is still no response in repentance and obedience, the church is to apply the procedures of excommunication as directed in HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Matthew 18:17.

Several examples of church discipline are found in Scripture. The Corinthian believers were to be “gathered together” in order to take action against the offending brother ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" 1 Cor. 5:4-5; HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Rom. 16:17; 2 HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Thess. 3:6-15; HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Phil. 3:17-19).

This is defined by Paul as “punishment inflicted by the majority” ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" 2 Cor. 2:6). As a protective measure, we also find that the whole church in Rome and in Thessalonica were to take action with regard to the unruly and schismatic, not just a few ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" 2 Thess. 3:6-15; HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Rom. 16:17).

(7) Finally, discipline in the name of our Lord always includes a readiness to forgive. The many or majority who discipline must also be ready and eager to forgive, comfort, and reaffirm their love to the sinning person ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" 2 Cor. 2:6-8). (See Procedures for Church Discipline below.)

Reasons for Church Discipline

In church discipline we must exercise extreme care. Scripture does not warrant the exercise of discipline for an individual’s or a church’s taboos or pet peeves—the “dirty dozen” or the “nasty nine.” Scripture, not our opinions or dislikes, must be the guide for what is sin. Further, we must not become hypercritical or “speck inspectors.”

(1) General Causes: Disorderly conduct, conduct clearly out of line with the prescribed commands of Scripture and which negatively impacts the testimony and unity of the church ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" 2 Thess. 3:6-15).

(2) Specific Causes:

Difficulties between members ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Matt. 18:15-17).

Divisive or factious people causing divisions in the church ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Rom. 16:17-18; HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Titus 3:9-11).

Immoral conduct; sins of the type mentioned in HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" 1 Corinthians 5 such as incest, immorality, covetousness, idolatry, abusive speech, drunkenness, swindling, or idle busybodies who refuse to work and run around spreading dissension ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" 1 Cor. 5:1, 11; 2 HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Thess. 3:10-15).

False teaching; erroneous teaching and views which concern the fundamentals of the faith and not lesser differences of interpretation ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" 1 Tim. 1:20; 2 HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Tim. 2:17-18; also implied in HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Rev. 2:14-16; HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Phil. 3:2-3, 15-19; HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Rom. 16:17-18).

The key concerns that guide us in this are: (a) the holy character of God, (b) the testimony of the flock, (c) the effect upon the unity and purity of the flock, and (d) the edification and restoration of the individual.

Procedures for Restoration

Forgiveness

In keeping with the goal of restoration, the role of the church must change after there is repentance. This means accepting the person and forgetting the past ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" 2 Cor. 2:7a).

But how do we know when repentance is genuine? What is our responsibility when the sinning party acknowledges their wrong and claims repentance? The following two passages answer this for us.

HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Luke 3:8, when they “. . . bring forth fruits in keeping with repentance.”

HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Acts 26:20, “. . . that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance.”

Genuine repentance will make itself evident by its deeds and attitudes. The repentant person will:

(1) Freely acknowledge his sin ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" 1 Jn. 1:9; HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Prov. 28:13a).

(2) Cease the activity for which he was disciplined or at least seek help if it’s a case of life dominating patterns ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Prov. 28:13b; HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Gal. 6:1f; HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Jam. 5:19-20).

(3) Make restitution and/or ask for forgiveness from those hurt as it is applicable ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Phil. 18-19; HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Matt. 5:23-24).

(4) He/she will demonstrate a genuine change of heart, a real concern and godly sorrow over his actions, not in order to be forgiven, but because of the harm caused to the glory of God and the hurt caused others ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" 2 Cor. 7:8-11; HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Ps. 51:17).

(5) He/she will begin to manifest the fruit of the Spirit and a concern for the things of Christ ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Gal. 5:22f).

Comfort

This means reaching out to them, assuring them of your support, and encouraging, exhorting, and challenging them to move on ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" 2 Cor. 2:7b).

Love

This means including them, drawing them close, doing for them that which will aid their growth and complete recovery ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" 2 Cor. 2:8). This would include encouraging them to get involved in ministry ( HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" Luke 22:31-32). For positions of leadership, there should be a time of testing to demonstrate their qualifications after the analogy of HYPERLINK "javascript:%7b%7d" 1 Timothy 3:10.

Church discipline

There certainly exist potential problems associated with correct church discipline. How would you deal with them?

Sin the root number one problem of the human race, whether in its regenerate or unregenerate state. In the congregation of the saints, where God commands discipline (in distinction to the world of unbelievers, cf. 1 Corinthians 5:12-13), many problems therefore still arise. Sin complicates matters: God's face is hid from us, and our mutual relationships become tense, artificial and strained, many times even broken.

I will mention some potential problems within the church context, suggesting how they may be tackled:

1. A natural problem arises when a sinning member in the church happens to have close friends or even relatives in the same congregation. He would probably attempt to win them over to his side, and elicit their sympathy. The elders should sensitively and carefully approach all concerned and explain that their corrective measures are meant for the sinning member's good, to restore him and bring him to repentance. They should make it obvious that their only desire is the well-being of the whole body, and are not in any sense vindictive or partial.

2. Another problem may be illustrated from my own experience. I had to warn an elderly lady in church about her unruliness and lack of respect for duly constituted authority. In age I am far younger than she is: the Scripture tells me to treat such as mothers, but still I could not overlook her continuing unruly behavior and speech. Though I deliberately and prayerfully attempted to deal with her on a personal level, the result was her leaving the church and joining another Baptist church. Paul ordered Timothy to let no one despise him because of his youth; he still was meant to teach with authority. All this, of course, is to be dealt with in love - though we must not forget that love is oftentimes tough. Love is not sentimentality.

3. Another problem is the pragmatic consideration that if proper church discipline is exercised, what often happens is that the church would diminish to just a handful of people. It will also cause divisions, and we would rather stay put than trouble the waters.

I would treat this problem by pointing out that proper Bible preaching also would cause divisions and cause people to leave (Luke 12:51-53). But the fact is that obedience to Christ is more important than our artificial unity or our own pragmatism, reared as it is on compromise. Biblical discipline, carried out as it ought, might cause divisions, but these will be kept to a minimum.

4. The outcry against discipline in the modern church is, "We are not supposed to judge another." Such an assertion can only be made by people who have an inadequate knowledge of Scripture concerning the matter. The fact of the matter is that if guilt is clearly established (as is always essential), then the person has judged himself. As long as he refuses to repent he continues to pronounce himself guilty. And the church does not determine his judgment, it only pronounces the judgment of Christ, on the basis of His own explicit Word.

5. Another problem is the misconception that discipline is unloving. Actually it is the very opposite, for if anything is harmful and indeed fatal to man, it is his sin. To continue to merely talk with a person who has made his intention to continue in sin clear, is a failure to act biblically. "For this is love that we do his commandments." "Lack of church discipline is to be seen for what it really is - not a loving concern as is hypocritically claimed, but an indifference to the honor of Christ and the welfare of the flock" (G.I.Williamson).

"Why proceed with public censure if the offending member decides to withdraw membership from the local church?"

All the more should the church proceed with censure, seeing that a man should not be allowed to lessen the judgment against himself for his course of sin by committing another sin (leaving the church without proper cause and becoming a schismatic). Besides, a quiet withdrawal can only be seen as sweeping sin under the carpet. The issue is not solved.

Again, failure to administer proper discipline is a tacit admission that there is no spiritual power or authority in the act, but simply a breaking of outward ties.

It is also seeking peace through compromise rather than obedience. This kind of peace is cheap and unbiblical.

“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. (18) For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. (19) For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. (20) And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”

In this section Paul gives us warning concerning certain people who make their way into the church. How are we to deal with those who are divisive in the church?  Paul exhorts us to do two things: “Watch out for them!” and “Keep away from them!” (Or as KJV has it) “Mark them and Avoid them!” That is sound advice.

There seems to be two valid lines of application here. First, “How are we to deal with those who are causing strife in the church?” And secondly the much more serious problem of, “How are we to respond to those who challenge and undermine the teaching of sound doctrine?”

The Directions For Dealing With Those Who Cause Trouble.

First, They Are To Be Examined.

Paul says that are to be “watched” or “marked.” The word comes from the Greek word (scopos) and it means to “to look at, observe, contemplate; to fix one’s eyes and attention upon someone or something.” The meaning is seen in the modern phrase when we tell someone to “scope it out.”

So what is it that these individuals are doing?

All too often there are those in a church who are just plain contentious. Sometimes they want to emphasize a certain doctrine. Often they want their opinions to carry the day. Some just seem to enjoy being contrary. The end result is strife. But Jesus emphasized that we should exhibit unity in the church because unity is essential to our survival.

Sometimes people defend their actions by saying they are only engaged in constructive criticism. So let’s define the difference between constructive criticism and destructive criticism.

When one person feels that something is wrong in the church, and he calls another member off to the side and harshly criticizes …that is destructive criticism. But another person, having the same feeling keeps quiet and prays about it until they can go to the leadership and talk it over in a sweet reasonable spirit, that is constructive criticism.

Paul says these people are guided by their own desires or appetites. Look at their motivation. Are they upset because things are not going the way they want them to go and mounting a campaign in violation to Scripture? Don’t give heed to them. Paul says, "I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil."

Secondly, They Are To Be Excluded

�       Responding to Those Who Are Divisive

“…those who cause divisions” (v. 17)

Paul’s second command it very clear, he says that they are to “avoid them.” Some, for the sake of their point of view would destroy the unity of the church. How do we deal with them? We avoid them! We keep our eye on them and turn away from them. In other words we don’t listen to them. We are never obligated to hear a person out when what they are saying is not consistent with Christian speech. If they are tearing down the church, pastor, deacons, a Sunday School teacher, a worker, or any believer, we should not listen. God forbid that we listen, and God forbid that, out of a misguided idea of courtesy, we seem to agree!

I want to share the advice of J. David Hoke on this verse, he writes, “When you hear someone running another believer down, you should stop them at once. Try saying something like this: "It seems that you have a problem with so-and-so. I really think you should talk to them and not me about it. The Bible encourages us to speak the truth in love to one another, so why don’t I get you together with so-and-so and we’ll straighten this out?" That person will do one of two things. They will either get the problem straight or they will quit talking to you about it.”  [ J. David Hoke. “All In The Family.”

Romans 16:1-24 - HYPERLINK "http://www.horizonsnet.org/sermons/rom49.html" www.horizonsnet.org/sermons/rom49.html]

You may be saying, "But I may be able to help them if I listen and share with them." Let me ask you something. Do you help make something right by doing something that is wrong? We are not to receive accusations about one another. We are not to listen to someone pull any other believer down. We must not allow others to fill our minds with things that are only one sided, and may be untrue altogether. It will only allow the Devil to use those things to create doubts, make us choose sides, and create strife and discord. If we will stand for righteousness in terms of avoiding those who create strife, we will send a message that we stand together in Christ.

�       Responding To Those Who Cause Stumbling

“…those who cause …. offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned” (v. 17)

Now on to the more serious challenge of dealing with those who oppose the teaching of sound doctrine, or “…contrary to the doctrine which you have learned” (v. 17). The word translated “offenses” is literally (skandalon) and means “to lay a trap or snare in the path of another to cause them to stumble.” We get the English word “scandal” from this word.  They are preaching and teaching things that are different from what the "standard of sound doctrine" ( HYPERLINK "http://www.studylight.org/desk/?query=2tim+1" 2Timothy 1:13). This is the mark of a counterfeit believer or a false teacher. Not only are they marked by "what they say" but how they say it ("smooth and flattering speech" in the next verse). These men are good...they do not come and speak roughly or so boldly as to disturb people. They "creep in unnoticed"  speaking sweetly and ostensibly such lovely people. They seemed to have such a desire to advance the knowledge and the welfare of believers; but there was always something wrong about what and how they said.           The correct response of believers to false teachers is not debate nor even dialogue but to “turn away from them,” to reject what they teach. In Acts 20:27-32 the Apostle Paul warned the elder of the church at Ephesus, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. (29) For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. (30) Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. (31) Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. (32) “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

Paul says that we are to “avoid” those who are false teachers, we are not told to attack them or destroy them but to deny them fellowship. Neither is, “Paul is not talking about what today is often referred to as a “?witch hunt,?” an effort that is determined to find fault whether it is there or not. Nor is he talking about legalistic and often mean-spirited and unloving “?litmus tests?” for an orthodoxy that is more rigid than Scripture.” [John MacArthur. “The MacArthur New Testament Commentary -  Romans.” Chicago: Moody Press, 1994) p. 372]

Paul goes on in our text in Romans to give two negative reasons why believers should turn away from false teachers.

The first is that false teachers should be rejected because their motives are wrong. “For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly…” (v. 18a). According to scripture these individuals are driven by self interest, whether that be a desire for fame or power (over their followers), or merely for financial gain. Whatever the motivation or combination of motivations, there are in it for what ever they can get for themselves.

Secondly, false teachers should be rejected because the result of their heresy is always destructive. “…and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple” (v. 18b)

These people have a way with words and they use their ability to twist the truth that deceives the “simple.” The word “simple” does not refer to the intellectual ability of these people. The word means those who “fear no evil from others” - it means people that are so immature as believers that they have no discernment.

Recognize that some are going to be unhappy about it. Even the poorest ministerial staffer will have his friends and supporters. But your job--this may come as a complete shock to many members--is not to make the congregation happy. Your task is to make it healthy and to make the Lord happy. And part of that means acting quickly to put down matters that would divide the church. Church unity is a wonderful thing, but it's not as rare as you might think. If the church is to have a strong voice for righteousness in the community, one of the requirements is that it be unified with everyone on the same page.

One of the key assignments of a pastor and the deacons is to protect the unity of the church.

Paul told the leaders of the church at Ephesus, "I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them."

Two kinds of enemies to the church are listed here: outsiders and insiders. Surprisingly, the latter are more dangerous because God's people are so sweet and unsuspecting (read: 'naive and gullible') that the damage is often done before they recognize the enemy in their midst and get the courage to stand up and deal with him.

Paul tells the leaders, "Therefore, be on the alert." (Acts 20:29-31)

After all, church leader, if you are not going to protect the flock, you are no shepherd.

This is simply a call for you to live up to your name.

First of all, we must understand that all authority comes from God. Therefore all rebellion starts as rebellion against God. It is literally the oldest of sins.

Authority in the Church

Considering how our attitude toward all authority relates to our submission to the “Lordship” of Christ, we should especially be sensitive to the authority of the Church and spiritual leaders, who have specifically been assigned as representatives of Christ. The Bible says, “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you” (Heb. 13:17).

Christians are to submit to the headship of Christ which is exercised through His Spirit (Rom. 8:14), His Word (2 Tim. 3:16), and Church leadership (Matt. 18:17-20, Heb. 13:17).

Don’t do anything that would hinder Godly, spiritual leaders. Don’t even bad-mouth them. It is an act of rebellion, for which you will answer to God.