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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.
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