From the book, “What People Ask About The Church,” by Dale A. Robbins — 58 — This idea may sound contradictory to the church's purpose, however
this comes from the Apostle Paul's instruction to the church of Corinth regarding an
internal disciplinary matter. It seems that there was a person in the church who was
persisting in a matter of sexual immorality, and Paul told the leaders that such continued
sin by a professing believer was not to be tolerated within the church fellowship. He told
them, "In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along
with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for
the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord
Jesus" (1 Cor. 5:4-5). To implement this action, it appears that the church did little more
than to excommunicate this person from the fellowship of the saints. "...Therefore
put away from yourselves that wicked person" (1 Cor. 5:13). Such expulsion obviously
removed them from the church's comforting influence and exposed them to the harsh reality
of the Holy Spirit's absence — thus turning them over to Satan's world of darkness
and torments. Some suggest that "destruction of the flesh" may mean a direct
visitation of some type of physical affliction or even death. Today, Bible believing churches still utilize this type of
disciplinary action when such circumstances warrant. The purpose of turning a person over
to Satan is not merely punitive, but for a twofold objective: (1) To reconcile the person back to God. "...that his spirit
may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus..." The hope was that when abandoned to the
wages of sin — the inevitable loss of peace and Satan's torments, they would seek
repentance and restoration. (2) To protect the church from further infection by such sinful
behavior. Paul reminded them that it was one thing to be among immoral people in the
world, but it is not acceptable to fellowship with immoral people who profess to be
Christian brethren. "But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone
named a brother, who is a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a
drunkard, or an extortioner; not even to eat with such a person" (1 Cor. 5:11).
Persons in the church fellowship who resist correction in any of the immoral behavior
mentioned, are eligible for expulsion. Excommunication is never the first choice for the church. The Lord
is a reconciler and wants His church to restore people whenever possible. Paul wrote,
"Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such
a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted" (Gal.
6:1). Our Lord is the Father of the prodigal, whom He so much wants to repent and to
receive His forgiveness (1 John 1:9). But despite our best efforts, there are times when
loving correction is not accepted and fails to alter communicable sinful behavior. In
those cases, God requires that such persons be removed from the fellowship so to prevent
sin from spreading, and to impress upon them their need for repentance. Jesus used the metaphor of a spreading infection to warn us from
withholding personal sin in any area of our life. Similarly, if the infection of sin is
allowed to spread unabated within the body of Christ, it will bring gangrene that will
destroy the whole body. Obviously, to expel anyone from Christ's body is a dreaded and
painful task, no more desirable than to amputate one of our own limbs or organs, but there
will be times where there is no other choice. Jesus said, "...if your hand or foot
causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into
life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the
everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It
is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast
into hell fire" (Matt. 18:8-9). According to the Victor Bible Source Book,¹ the Bible indicates at
least seven specific sins for which excommunication is prescribed if repentance is not
secured (See Prov. 22:10, 1 Cor. 5:1-13, Titus 3:10-11, Matt. 18:15-20): (1) Immorality (homosexuality, lesbianism, incest, sexual impurity) ¹ The Victor Bible Source Book, Stephen D. Swihart This article is copyrighted © by Dale A. Robbins, 1995, and is a publication of Victorious Publications, Grass Valley, CA 95949. Unless otherwise stated, all scripture references were taken from The New King James Bible, © Thomas Nelson Inc., 1982.You may download for personal use as long as you retain credit to the author. Obtain permission before reproducing copies for any reason, by filling out our simple permission form. For media reproduction rights, or to obtain published quantities of this title, . |
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