The Bible provides a clear basis for practicing church discipline.
The Bible has numerous passages showing the basis for a church to carry out church discipline among its members. The two clearest passages are found in I Corinthians 5 and Matthew 18:15-20. Both of these passages give clear evidence that the early church saw the need to address sin among those who are a part of a church.
Just as a parent understands the need to discipline a child for sinful behavior, so also the church ought to address sinful behavior among those within the church family. Without discipline at some level, sin will increase and lives will be destroyed.
In 1 Corinthians 5, we have the example of the man who had his father's wife. Paul gives a very serious warning as to the severity of this sin. Paul also gives clear instructions regarding how this man is to be dealt with. There is no uncertainty in Paul's mind that the man who is guilty of this sin is a "wicked person" (KJV), "evil person" (ESV). Paul describes the guilty man with these words in 1 Corinthians 5:13. Paul instructs the church that since this sin is commonly reported, in other words, it is openly known to be true by others, the church must take action. Paul writes, "In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, to deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus" (1 Corinthians 5:4-5). Paul concludes this entire section by saying, "Purge the evil person from among you" (1 Corinthians 5:13).
Jesus himself addresses the need for sin to be dealt with in Matthew 18:15-20. This passage is often misunderstood and needs to be considered more carefully. For the purpose of this article, the point Jesus makes is that sin must be addressed among those who profess to be believers. If a person refuses to repent, there is a consequence. This is the basis for church discipline.
