"Brother, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted." Galatians 6:1.
"Many have an idea that they are responsible to Christ alone for their light and experience, independent of His recognized followers on earth. Jesus is the friend of sinners, and His heart is touched with their woe. He has all power, both in heaven and on earth; but He respects the means that He has ordained for the enlightenment and salvation of men; He directs sinners to the church, which He has made a channel of light to the world." —The Acts of the Apostles, p. 122.
You can encourage someone needing help! You can influence others for right living! Your Christian life can serve as a good example!
Jesus Christ in His teachings delegated authority to the church. He placed in the church some safeguards to maintain its purity and spirituality. It becomes the responsibility of each member to help preserve the discipline, order, and spirituality of the church fellowship.
In this lesson you will discover that—
DELEGATED AUTHORITY
1. What words did Jesus use to delegate authority to the church in accepting or rejecting members? Matthew 16:18, 19.
Matthew 16:18-19 (NIV) And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19) I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
" 'The keys of the kingdom of heaven' are the words of Christ. All the words of the Holy Scripture are His, and are here included. These words have power to open and to shut heaven. They declare the conditions upon which men are received or rejected."—The Desire of Ages, pp. 413, 414.
2. What is the basis for church authority in deciding the fitness of members to remain on the church roles? John 20:21-23.
John 20:21-23 (NIV) Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 22) And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23) If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."
"On the church has been conferred the power to act in Christ's stead. It is God's instrumentality for the preservation of order and discipline among His people."—Gospel Workers, pp. 501, 502.
3. What are the first steps to be taken in dealing with a member who has fallen into sin? Matthew 18:15, 16.
Matthew 18:15-16 (NIV) "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16) But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'
"Go to the erring one, with a heart filled with Christ's love and sympathy, and seek to adjust the matter. Reason with him calmly and quietly. Let no angry words escape your lips. Speak in a way that will appeal to his better judgment."—Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 261.
4. In what group only is authority vested for disfellowshiping a church member? Matthew 18:17.
Matthew 18:17 (NIV) If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
5. What is the primary purpose of church discipline? 1 Corinthians 5:4, 5.
1 Corinthians 5:4-5 (NIV) When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5) hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.
Note: "deliver such a one to Satan": Since the world was thought of as under Satan’s influence, this appears to be a figurative way to describe removing this person from church membership or fellowship. destruction of the flesh. Paul hopes that removing the man from church fellowship will awaken his conscience and result in destroying the flesh, or the man’s sinful inclinations. his spirit. Or “the spirit.” The whole person is viewed as a spiritual being in communion with God. Paul hopes that the individual will return to faith. --Dybdahl, J. L. (Ed.). (2010). Andrews Study Bible Notes (p. 1498). Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press.
6. What other purpose does church discipline achieve? 1 Corinthians 5:6, 7.
1 Corinthians 5:6-7 (NIV) Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? 7) Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast--as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
Note: "A little yeast": The same saying appears in Gal. 5:9. Paul expressed surprise that the Corinthians, by their boasting of their satisfactory condition, showed that they had forgotten the vital truth of this well-known saying. As a small amount of leaven, or yeast, placed in a large quantity of dough affects the entire amount, so the presence of one defiant transgressor in the church has a corrupting influence on the whole body... To retain in the church a grossly offending member, because of a desire to help him to reform, overlooks the danger of his influence on the whole group of believers. It is often more helpful to the individual to separate him from the church so as to let him realize that his actions are out of harmony with its high standards and cannot be tolerated. --Nichol, F. D. (Ed.). (1980). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol. 6, p. 691). Review and Herald Publishing Association.
7. How did the apostle Paul counsel the Corinthian church to deal with an immoral member? 1 Corinthians 5:9-13.
1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (NIV) I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people-- 10) not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11) But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 12) What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13) God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."
8. How should disfellowshiped members be treated? 2 Corinthians 2:6-8.
2 Corinthians 2:6-8 (NIV) The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. 7) Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8) I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.
Give your understanding of this scriptural counsel:
9. What should be done for a member who is beginning to err in behavior? Galatians 6:1, 2.
Galatians 6:1-2 (NIV) Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2) Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
10. What special responsibility do elders and pastors have with the erring? 2 Timothy 2:24-26.
2 Timothy 2:24-26 (NIV) And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25) Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26) and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
11. According to the Bible, what types of wrongdoing warrant withdrawal of fellowship? 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; Titus 3:9-11.
1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (NIV) I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people-- 10) not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11) But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 12) What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13) God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."
Titus 3:9-11 (NIV) But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10) Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. 11) You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
12. What does Christ desire for the church fellowship? Ephesians 5:25-27.
Ephesians 5:25-27 (NIV) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26) to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27) and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
HERITAGE TIE
The Church Departments
The organization of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination has certain designated areas of responsibility known as "departments." Most of these departments extend into the local church in conducting the planned program. Below is a brief overview of some of these.
Communications—gives emphasis to public relations through the use of such mass media as the newspapers, radio, TV and the Worldwide Web.
Education—operates a complete system of accredited Christian education often beginning with kindergarten through university.
Health Ministries—conducts a health—education program serving the public as well as Adventist churches and schools.
Personal Ministries—trains and involves church members in many areas of evangelism and community services.
Sabbath School—fosters regular Bible study for every age group in the local church.
Youth—gives emphasis to youth activities and evangelism, with Pathfinder/Adventurer Clubs for boys and girls.
Unless otherwise designated, scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION�. Copyright � 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.