“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 5:12-13 KJV
Paul is saying, “What right do I have to pronounce judgment on unbelievers? That’s God’s responsibility. But those who are inside the church family are our responsibility to discern and judge. So it’s your duty to remove that wicked one from among you.” We are to remove wickedness from among the Church family, in this case a church member in the Corinthian church involved in sexual immorality. The local church has the authority to discipline erring believers who persist in sin. Under the old covenant that discipline was physical, death by stoning. But under the new covenant, the Church discipline is spiritual. Jesus said, “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.” Let’s build up disciples in the Scripture way. Amen!
No comments:
Post a Comment