Restoration or Removal

Matthew 18:15-20

15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them”.

Notes

Every church community should practice church discipline. Otherwise, it would not be obedient to the Holy Scriptures. Church discipline is a community dynamic that encourages the members to grow in holiness as individuals and as a collective. It also helps preserve the unity of the faith, which believers must diligently work on (Ephesians 4:3). However, it is not cheap unity, focusing merely on human relationships; it is a unity founded on Scriptural truth. Church discipline is about correcting and restoring members by confronting them of their sins, but it may also involve removing people from membership and fellowship (Leeman, 2012).

1. Private Rebuke

   The Lord Jesus instructed His disciples to speak to the brother (or sister) who sinned to show his fault, which should be done ALONE. If the brother or sister does not listen, take one or two more to function as witnesses. If the erring brother or sister receives the correction, the brother or sister will be returned to living the right way.

   
   15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses (Matthew 18:15-16).

   Application: If someone approaches with the intent to correct us, let us listen carefully. With careful reflection, let us repent if we realize we have sinned. If someone sins against us, let us settle things privately, but if we tell others, we violate the Lord’s instructions. If they listen and repent, then we have gained the brother or sister back. If not, bring one or two more, preferably respectable members, to persuade the erring brother or sister to repent. Or if they cannot persuade, they become witnesses.

   
   

2. Church Decision

   Should the small group confrontation prove unsuccessful, tell it to the church. Hopefully, he will listen to the church, but if not, he will be removed. If the one caught in sin persists and does not repent, he must be removed from fellowship. Such a person will be treated as an outsider.

   
   17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector (Matthew 18:17).

   Application: The church should understand that the sin was persistent or the erring brother or sister was unrepentant. Now, the members must rebuke the person and call them to repent. If the person does not show repentance, they must be treated as unclean, which means the church must not engage them. They will be viewed as a tax collector, a traitor to the community.

3. God’s Affirmation

   It is no small matter to treat somebody like a Gentile and tax collector. Nevertheless, removal from fellowship must be done whenever necessary. God will honor the church's decision if everything is done correctly according to the process.

   
   18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:18-20).

   Application: Let us follow the Holy Scriptures when correcting each other in the name of the Lord. We must understand the process and respect the church’s decision, which could be the collective or through the elders. The witnesses must be credible because God will judge false witnesses and those who use them. With credible witnesses, the unrepentant must be removed. Otherwise, the church will fail its duty to the Lord.

Reflection & Discussion

1. What should we do if we see a brother or sister sin?

2. At what point should the church consider them a traitor?

3. What does binding and loosing mean in the context?