What The Bible Says About Church Discipline

(Text: Matthew 18:15-20)
By: Barry L. Cameron


The Bible teaches that we are to follow the steps JESUS gave in Matthew 18:15-20 in the case of a brother or sister guilty of sin. All church discipline should be redemptive and restorative in nature (Galatians 6:1-2). Sins such as immorality are to be dealt with lovingly and precisely (I Corinthians 5:1-5). Believers are instructed in Scripture to judge other believers (I Corinthians 5:12), and they are to be obedient and submissive to the spiritual leaders God has placed in the church (Hebrews 13:17).

The steps of church discipline as outlined in Matthew 18:15-20 are as follows:

STEP ONE - You have first-hand knowledge of sin in someone's life. You go to them privately and confront them. (Matthew 18:15; Luke 17:3) If they repent, you have won them back.

If they don't repent...

STEP TWO - You go back and confront them again with two or three others who have witnessed this sin and can verify it. (Matthew 18:16; Deuteronomy 19:15; I Timothy 5:19) If they repent, you have won them back.

If they don't repent...

STEP THREE - You take this matter before the leaders of the church. (Matthew 18:17; I Timothy 5:19-20) If they repent, you have won them back.

If they don't repent...

STEP FOUR - You withdraw fellowship from this person. (Matthew 18:17; I Corinthians 5:5; I Timothy 1:20; II Thessalonians 3:14-15) If they repent, you have won them back.

If they don't repent...

STEP FIVE - Have nothing to do with them. (Romans 16:17-19; II Thessalonians 3:6) You have done everything you can do. (Ezekiel 33:7-9)

If they don’t repent it may mean several things: (a) They may not even be saved (I John 3:6; James 5:19-20). (b) If they are saved they may be facing some severe chastisement and discipline from God (Hebrews 12:6; I Corinthians 11:30). Or, (c) God may just take their life (I John 5:16; I Corinthians 11:30).

Some Important Facts About Church Discipline:
1. The ultimate goal of church discipline is to “restore” people not kick them out of a fellowship. 2. Most churches do not practice Biblical church discipline. 3. Most churches who practice church discipline do not follow the Biblical guidelines completely. 4. Most Biblical church discipline would never reach the stage of “excommunication.” 5. Church discipline is a purifying process for the whole body. (It is not intended to be a horrifying but rather a humbling experience for the offender.)

• When a believer feels no shame over their sin, they are walking in arrogance and rebellion against God. They are deceived and their conscience is seared.

• Church discipline is designed by God to jolt the backsliding believer back to their senses and to bring them to repentance and ultimately to restoration in the body of Christ.

How Does Church Discipline Fit In With The Concept Of Forgiveness? • In other words, how do Matthew 18 and John 8 keep from contradicting each other? (a) There is no contradiction between church discipline and forgiveness. If the ultimate aim of all church discipline is reformation and restoration—then forgiveness is essential. (b) Church discipline, when done Biblically, will always result in forgiveness.

• The greatest way to avoid church discipline is to practice self-discipline and to live a holy life. If you are confronted for sin in your life and you’re guilty, by all means repent as quickly as possible and be restored. Don’t forfeit your fellowship with God and with fellow believers just so you can hang on to some self-destructive sin.