If a local church is to belong to the Lord, it must act according to the Lord's will. Thus, the activities of worship will be as are found in the church of the Bible. The doctrine which is taught will be the very same doctrine that is revealed in the New Testament. It is often easy to imitate the things which are enjoyable (ie. singing, praying, preaching, etc.), but the true test of whether we will walk according to the Lord's instruction is when it comes to the 'not so pleasant' things. Discipline is such a topic. Let us consider what the Lord commands regarding discipline in the local church.

Matthew 18:15-17
The sin under consideration is one committed by one brother against another. The Lord provides a threefold restoration process. First the victim is to go to the offender (v 15). If this does not work, Jesus says to take "...one or two more...", whereby perhaps the individual might see cause for repentance (v 16). If even at this he will not repent, the matter is to be brought to the attention of the whole church (v 17). Should he still refuse to turn from his sin, his fellowship with the people of God is severed.

Romans 16:17-18
There are some who will seek to cause division and offenses in the Lord's church. The apostle has no flattering words of these, but identifies them as those who "...do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly..." Such people are to be noted and avoided (v 17).

1 Corinthians 5:4-7, 13
When immorality is committed, and repentance is not sought, the church must respond with discipline. Paul rebukes the Corinthian church for not removing such a person from the Lord's church (v 6-7). Those unrepentant of sin are to be put out of the church (v 5, 13). The purpose of this is twofold, 1) "...that his spirit may be saved..." and 2) to keep the church pure. To see the results of such action, consider 2 Corinthians 2:4-11; 7:8-12.

2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15
Paul warns of those who walk disorderly, not obeying the word of God. They are to be noted and withdrawn from (v 6, 14). This lack of companionship is to the end "...that he may be ashamed..." (v 14). Yet, conversation is not to be completely broken, as we are to "...not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother." (v 15).

1 Timothy 6:3-5
Those who pollute the doctrine of Christ are likewise to be withdrawn from (v 5). This man is described as "...proud, knowing nothing...obsessed with disputes and arguments over words...and destitute of the truth..." (v 4-5).

Titus 3:10-11
Again, Paul warns of those who cause division. "...Such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned" (v 11). Two admonitions are to be afforded, and if he will not repent, he is to be withdrawn from (v 10).

2 John 9-11
To "transgress" Christ's doctrine is to go beyond the word. Such people do "...not have God." (v 9). Those who do not bring the doctrine of Christ we are told not to receive in our homes [ie. for common fellowship](v 10). Further, John says not even to greet him [as one would customarily greet a fellow saint] (v 10). To receive or greet such a person is to share in his wickedness (v 11).

WHAT PRINCIPLES DO THESE TEXTS ESTABLISH FOR BIBLICAL DISCIPLINE?
Bible discipline is to be exercised on those who are unrepentant of sin.

The offender is to be admonished/warned of the consequences of his wickedness.

If still unrepentant, the person is to be noted, avoided, put away from the church, rejected, withdrawn from.

Social fellowship is to be removed. However, the saints have the responsibility to admonish the erring brother to do right.

Click here for this week's Answering The Atheist
Who is to bear the burden? Do Galatians 6:2 and Galatians 6:5 contradict?