© DOUGLAS JACOBY, 1994.

What does the Bible really say about church discipline? It may be time to reconsider the traditional view, which may be summarized as "Three strikes and you're out."

INTRODUCTION

I. THREE STRIKES AND YOU’RE OUT?

II. MATTHEW 18
A. Translation point: Matthew 18.15
B. Reconciliation, not warning
C. Bad-attitude people
D. Application

III. LUKE 17: Seven sins and seven fresh starts

IV. TITUS 3
A. Two warnings or three?
B. A word about divisiveness
C. Note: Psalm 37:37 is another example of persons being "marked," though in this case in a positive way.

V. 1 CORINTHIANS 5
A. Expulsion in 1 Corinthians
B. Sins leading to Expulsion
C. The Public Warning?

VI. 2 THESSALONIANS 3
A. Grace false and true
B. Still saved

VII. 3 JOHN 10

CONCLUSION

To read the entire article on Church Discipline, click here.

Extra note: Whereas Matt 18 concerns brother-to-brother (peer) relationships, which one has been wronged by a church leader (power differential), 1 Tim 5:18-19 applies. Here "witnesses" does not mean "victims," but those aware of the leader's harshness, bullying, or other form of abuse.