C.O 66
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(Part 5) Article 66 Nature and Purpose
Since church discipline is of a spiritual nature and, as one of the keys of the kingdom of heaven, has been given to the church to shut and to open that kingdom, the consistory shall ensure that it is used to punish sins against both the purity of doctrine and the piety of conduct, in order to reconcile the sinner with the church and with his neighbour, and to remove all offence out of the church of Christ—which can be done only when the rule given by our Lord in Matthew 18:15-17 is followed in obedience.
Notes
Principles and Practices:
- Follow the Forms for Excommunication:
- Ensure adherence to the prescribed process for excommunication.
- Announce the situation without naming the individual, if necessary, and request prayer from the congregation.
- Legal Obligations:
- Certain sins, such as sexual abuse, must be reported to the authorities as required by law.
- Aims of Church Discipline:
- Repentance of the Sinner: The primary goal is to lead the individual to repentance.
- Holiness of the Church: Maintain the purity and integrity of the church community.
- Glory of God: Ensure that all actions reflect God’s justice and mercy.
- God as Final Judge: Recognize that ultimate judgment belongs to God.
- Distinction Between Not Associating and Shunning:
- Ending Spiritual Relations: Excommunication ends the spiritual relationship between the individual and the church.
- Preserving Family Relations: It does not destroy familial bonds or relationships outside the church context.
Case Study: Should we Allow Church Withdraw before discipline?
- See lexicon in book,
- In a sense they are excommunicating themselves
- Every situation is unique, needs to be dealt with prayerfully, carefully!
- Withdraw, Withdrawal of Membership