Introduction
Punishment In Old Testament
Punishment In New Testament
Rules Governing Church Discipline
Considerations Necessary in Implementing
Church Discipline
How Soon Should Church Discipline Be Implemented?
The Fruits of True Repentance
Cutting-Off
Our Duty
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WAS THE OLD TESTAMENT SYSTEM OF CHURCH ORDER AND DISCIPLINE
APPLICABLE TO THE NEW TESTAMENT DISPENSATION?
“And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste
places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations;
and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer
of paths to dwell in.” Isaiah 58:12.
“The prophet here describes a people who, in a time of general
departure from truth and righteousness, are seeking to restore
the principles that are the foundation of the kingdom of God.
They are repairers of a breach that has been made in God's law--the
wall that He has placed around His chosen ones for their protection,
and obedience to whose precepts of justice, truth, and purity
is to be their perpetual safeguard. “In words of unmistakable
meaning the prophet points out the specific work of this remnant
people who build the wall.” PK 677-678.
“And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached
unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution
of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy
prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:20-21.
NOTE: All of God’s system in implementing Church Government
will be restored in our time that’s why we have Councils
patterned after the New Testament Church (AA 95-96) and the Council
of Heaven (PP 35-36) that expelled satan and driven out Adam and
Eve from Eden (EW 148).
“The work of God in the earth presents, from age to age,
a striking similarity in every great reformation or religious
movement. The principles of God's dealing with men are ever the
same. The important movements of the present have their parallel
in those of the past, and the experience of the church in former
ages has lessons of great value for our own time.” GC
343.
“The same principles of piety and justice that were to guide
the rulers among God's people in the time of Moses and of David,
were also to be followed by those given the oversight of the newly
organized church of God in the gospel dispensation.” AA
95.
PUNISHMENT IN THE NEW TESTMENT
In the Old Testament the death penalty was sometimes inflicted
not directly by God but by His people, see Exodus 32:27-28. But
the death sentence from God’s retributive hand is still
in effect, see the case of Ananias and Sapphira – Acts 1:5-11.
“Men were selected to do various parts of the work of setting
up and taking down the tabernacle, and if one strayed in carelessly
and put his hands to the work assigned to another, he was to be
put to death. We serve the same God today. But the death penalty
has been abolished; had it not been, there would not now be so
much careless, disorderly work in His cause.” 5T 274.
NOTE: The word cut-off in the New Testament is used to mean separating
sinners from the congregation.
“I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be
none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his
judgment, whosoever he be… I would they were even cut off
which trouble you. “ Galatians 5:10, 12.
“Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you,
and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel
from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we
have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before,
so say I now again, If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you
than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians
1:7-9.
NOTE: Accursed means, band, anathema, excommunication. Reference
STRONG’S CONCORDANCE #331, p. 11.
Excommunication means to dispel from membership. Reference WEBSTER
DICTIONARY.
“The God of heaven is a God of order, and He requires all
His followers to have rules and regulations, and to preserve order.”
5T 274.
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