We previously considered the similarities between discipleship and church discipline. Now we will look at the primary difference between the two — who we discipline.
Discipleship begins with people who don’t know the Lord. To be a disciple of Jesus, one must first come into a saving relationship with the Lord. Consequently, in the initial stages of fulfilling the Great Commission we must go to those who do not know Him with the message of salvation … how Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment their sin deserved and was raised from the dead so they too can experience new life in Him by grace through faith (1 Cor. 15:1-8; Eph. 2:8-9).
Consequently, to make disciples we must engage in outreach. But, to truly fulfill Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:18-20, we must then shepherd those who have put their trust in Jesus as we are to teach them to obey everything He has commanded.
Church discipline begins with people who are already in the shepherding phase of discipleship … with those who already know the Lord … but are practicing sin. We all, as believers, still sin, but “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn. 1:9). Church discipline may be necessary for believers if they continue sinning willfully and remain unrepentant of that sin.
Hence, church discipline excludes those who have not yet become followers of Jesus.
The Apostle Paul communicated with the church in Corinth about their need to exercise church discipline. He said, “I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people – 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” (1 Cor 5:9-10).
Our responsibility is to share the Gospel with people who do not know Jesus, not to judge them. Judgment is God’s responsibility. — “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. Expel the wicked person from among you.” (1 Cor. 5:12-15)
Church discipline is for those who are followers of Jesus.
Paul continued his instructions to the Corinthians –“But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.” (1 Cor. 5:11)
The Steering the Church Toward Discipleship Leadership Guide includes what you read here and also responds to the question “Why would the standard be harsher for those who profess to be believers?”
For More, Go To: Great Commission Discipleship Resources
All Posts about Church Discipline:
- Church Discipline Because of Church Purpose
- Lack of Church Discipline Against God’s Purposes
- Church Discipline Must Exemplify God’s Purposes
- Involvement of Body in Church Discipline
- Body Life Can Prevent Need for Church Discipline
- Discipleship and Church Discipline
- Discipleship Not Church Discipline
- Holiness the Objective for Church Discipline
- Lack of Holiness Affects the Whole Body
- Holiness Dictates HOW We Exercise Church Discipline
- Authority & Power Needed in Church Discipline
- Pivotal Role of Holy Spirit in Church Discipline
- Church Discipline But They Didn’t Change
- The Standard for Conduct
- The Power of Grace in Church Discipline
- If His Name is Holy Then …
- Prayer is Essential as a Preventative and When in Process
- When Christians Need Correction
- God’s Word Brings Correction
- It’s Not About Giving Up on People
- Church Discipline is a Matter of Stewardship
- Leader Qualities in Church Discipline