There are many stories in the Bible of disciplinary action taken. Each different instance holds important lessons that should be remembered. One is the story of Achan, found in the book of Joshua. We see how the sin of one affected the whole congregation: “Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.” Here we notice that God would not be with them any more because of the sin in their midst: “Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.” (Joshua 7:11, 12)

The story of Achan holds a warning for us. This situation shows us that “those who refuse to hear the admonitions and warnings given by God’s faithful messengers are not to be retained in the church. They are to be disfellowshipped, for they will be as Achan in the camp of Israel - deceived and deceiving.

“Who, after reading the record of Achan’s sin and punishment, can think it according to the will of God that those who do wickedly, refusing to repent, are to be retained in the church? To retain them would be an insult to the God of heaven.”2

It is sin that separates us from God. Allowing sin to remain in our midst is a dishonor and insult to God, a sin that must be dealt with.

We come to the question, what is the purpose of discipline? There is a good explanation in the book of Job. “And if [the righteous] be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction; then [God] sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded. He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity. If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge” (chapter 36:8-12).

There are important steps that are part of this process. Taking into consideration that when people are bound in fetters, they are in a sense, holden in the cords of affliction and imprisoned. They need to be shown their situation and called to repentance.

The purpose of discipline is restoration, not to go and dispose of someone. Painful as it is, the disfellowshipment process becomes a necessary remedy.

In Titus 1:13, the apostle gave the clear instruction to cut off the evils in order that sound doctrine could the established in the church. When we receive chastening from the Lord it is because He loves us. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?” (Hebrews 12:6, 7). “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent” (Revelation 3:19).

God calls to those in the valley of decision, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7).

He promises full restoration to the repentant one. “If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles” (Job 22:23).

Because there is no connection between God and sin, as long as we tolerate sin, God will have no connection with us. “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).

King David said: “I have hated the congregation of evildoers; and will not sit with the wicked” (Psalm 26:5).

The well-known blueprint for disciplinary action is found in Matthew chapter 18. In Jesus’ instruction we find several important steps: “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. 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. 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 an heathen man and a publican” (verses 15-17).

There are four steps in the disciplinary process here mentioned.

1. Speak to the one in error alone.

2. Take one or two witnesses.

3. Take it to the whole church.

4. Disfellowshipment.

Restoration is the aim at every step of the way. Once a situation has been taken to the church, the church may put someone on discipline. That means one is still a member but he or she may be denied certain privileges. During this time individuals are worked with and visited so that they may see their situation and may cooperate toward their restoration.

It is very important that we carefully adhere to the instructions left us by our Master. “All these points require careful consideration, but the next question is, What course has been pursued toward the erring? Has the Bible rule been followed to the letter? Read before the church the rules given them by their Captain, and let the question be asked, Have they obeyed orders like faithful soldiers in the army? To go contrary to the positive orders of the Captain of our salvation is deserving of severest censure by those whom God has placed in authority.”3

In Titus we find simple steps that explain what is necessary in the disciplinary process. “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee” (Titus 2:15).

The steps are:

1. Speak/teach.

2. Exhort/remind.

3. Rebuke/reprove.

How can one be rebuked when he or she has never been taught? Discipline does not consist just in sending someone away from the church for his or her sin; it is a work of watching out for souls as one that must give an account. Just as a mother disciplines her child in love, so church discipline is to be carried out in a spirit of love for the ultimate aim of restoration.

Open sins are to be dealt with publicly. “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person” (1 Corinthians 5:11-13). “Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear” (I Timothy 5:20).

• Blasphemy: Leviticus 24:16

• Idolatry: Leviticus 20:2

(Idolatry can be manifest in different ways, such as in a love of inappropriate dress or even raising our children in the wrong way.)

• Sabbathbreaking: Numbers 15:32-36

• Proselytizing to serve other

gods: (Deuteronomy 13:6-9)

• Fornication: Deuteronomy 22:21

• Adultery: Deuteronomy 22:24

• Talebearing: Leviticus 19:16

(Talebearing is referred to as a “thou shalt not”!4)

The following experience in the life of Ellen White sheds light on this subject. She writes: “A sister for whom I had a testimony . . . came in with her husband and manifested feelings of great unreconciliation and agitation. . . . Her pride was touched as I brought out her faults in so public a manner. Here was evidently the main difficulty. But why should she feel thus? The brethren and sisters knew these things were so, therefore I was not informing them of anything new. . . .

“Her husband seemed to feel unreconciled to my bringing out her faults before the church and stated that if Sister White had followed the directions of our Lord in Matthew 18:15-17 he should not have felt hurt. . . .

“My husband then stated that he should understand that these words of our Lord had reference to cases of personal trespass, and could not be applied in the case of this sister. She had not trespassed against Sister White. But that which had been reproved publicly was public wrongs which threatened the prosperity of the church and the cause. Here, said my husband, is a text applicable to the case: 1 Timothy 5:20: “Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.’”5

Let us emphasize that public wrongs are to be dealt with publicly. This will aid as a protection to the rest of the church from following the same mistaken course.

The Old Testament scriptures cite many transgressions worthy of discipline. In many cases we see that stoning was used for certain offenses. “The stoning system has been done away, but the penalty for transgressing God’s law is not done away.”6

In light of the seriousness of this subject, let us always remember to “consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Hebrews 10:24). May we work with “more tender regard, with deeper love, for every member of the Lord’s family. Press together. ‘United, we stand; divided, we fall.’ Take a higher, nobler stand than you ever have before.”7