Withdrawing from the Withdrawn

Strange as it may seem, some actually deny the right of the church to withdraw their fellowship from those who refuse to walk in the light. Others agree that such must be done, but that it cannot be done if some have already “withdrawn from the church.” This is strange language indeed, or we read nothing in the Scriptures about the right of people to withdraw from the church.” However, we do read about the responsibility of the church to withdraw from certain ones who become wayward. The Scripture says, “mark them which cause divisions…and avoid them” (Romans 16:17); “when ye are gathered together…To deliver such an one unto Satan….Purge out…the old leaven…not to keep company…not to eat…. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person” (I Corinthians 5:4-13); “from such withdraw thyself” (I Timothy 6:5); “Now we command you… withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly…note that man, and have no company with him” (II Thessalonians 3:6-14).

These passages show that the church has an active responsibility in the matter of discipline, and must take a stand for truth and fellowship. Our responsibility is not merely passive. Apostates from the faith seldom become such for no reason at all, but are actively engaged in the ways of the world. “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world” (II Timothy 4:10). Those who forsake the Lord in worship have usually already forsaken Him in living. Does this mean the church can do nothing to discipline wayward members if they have already ceased to worship with the saints? Just where do people get the idea that fellowship is limited to the worship “service”? They must think so, if they think they are to withdraw only from those who attend worship. Actually, we do not forbid anyone to attend worship when they are disciplined, but we encourage them to attend so as to be exhorted to Christian living. A withdrawal of fellowship simply means that Christians are to do nothing with those withdrawn from that would indicate any approval of their wayward conduct, and this would primarily be outside of the worship service. Any effort to reject God’s Will in discipline is an effort to follow the way of least resistance. We need to forget our fears and human reasoning and start obeying God.

Don W. Tarbet

Church Discipline Equals Saving Souls

Since the first Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ, God recognizes only faithful members of the church of Christ as the saved of the earth (Acts 2:47). These persons who heard the Word of God, had faith in Christ formed in them by their correct understanding of the Word (the Gospel; Mark 16:15-16; Romans 1:16), repented of their sins, confessed their faith in Christ, and baptized (immersed) in water by the authority of Christ into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in order to obtain the remission (forgiveness) of sins (Romans 10:17; Acts 17:30; Romans 10:10; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38; Romans 6: 3-4; I Peter 3:21; Acts 22:16). This is God’s plan of salvation. It is obligatory upon man. Less than these steps in God’s plan one cannot do and be saved from his sins. More than what this plan of salvation requires God does not demand of one in order for him to be saved from sin. Only persons who have complied with the preceding plan of salvation are authorized to be fellowshipped by other children of God (Acts 2:41; Ephesians 5:23).

In order to remain in fellowship with God, church members must continue to live according to the New Testament teaching regarding Christian living (Acts 2:42; I John 1:7). Since space does not allow for a detailed discussion of obligatory matters in Christian living, suffice it to say that obligatory matters relating to faithfulness pertain to what Christians must do to remain saved. A child of God who ceases to submit to any or all of God’s obligatory laws (New Testament principles that one must abide by in order to remain saved or faithful) must have any relationship between himself and faithful members of the Lord’s church terminated.

Christians must understand that all the processes or means by which the church teaches and trains its members to “walk in the light” is disciplinary in nature. However, I am emphasizing the responsibility of faithful members to restore wayward members and to keep the church pure by withdrawing fellowship from those who are determined to live disorderly lives (lives not in submission to the obligatory matters of the Gospel of Christ or those who create factions by making laws for God and splitting the church by striving to make other Christians submit to them as if they were obligatory in nature). The design of all church discipline is to save erring brethren and to keep the church pure in life and teaching.

When the church fails to discipline her members she is not doing all God demands her to do and be. It is a sin of omission (James 4:17). God intends for the church of Christ to be His influence for good on the earth. When church members are allowed to be impure, it is impossible for the mission of the church to be accomplished as God intended. Hence, when members of the church persist in sin, faithful brethren must labor to get the unfaithful to repent. However, if in time a church member adamantly refuses to repent, the church is to withdraw itself from the rebellious member. This means that this person is not to enjoy the fraternal association that exists between and among faithful members of the church of Christ (Romans 16:17-18; I Corinthians 5; II Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15; Galatians 6:1-2). Sins that have their beginning in private between two brethren are taught by Christ to be handled according to Matthew 18:15-17. Furthermore, elders who will not demand that such be routinely preached and practiced are themselves sinning and need to repent. If they refuse to amend their ways, they become subjects for corrective church discipline themselves.

David P. Brown

I Never Intended to Quit

A man who had not attended one service of the church in four years told me he had never thought of "quitting" the church. I reminded him that he had:

1. Withdrawn his presence from the services
2. Refused to give his moral support to the activities of the congregation.
3. Withdrawn his financial support, for he had not given one dime to help carry on the Lord's work.

Then I asked, "What else would you have to do in order to 'quit' the church? In case you ever decide that you no longer desire to be a member, what other steps will be necessary to 'quit' the church?"

As the true status dawned upon him, his expression reflected his sober thoughts. He replied, Why brother Nichols, I've already quit, haven't I? Well, I surely did not mean to! And I do not know when I did it I am coming back." He did too. At the next service, he was restored and three years later he was still faithful. Dear reader, how about you. Have you quit the Lord and His church without resolving to do so? Perhaps no one deliberately decides to quit, but many carelessly drift into backsliding.

If you quit attending services, quit boosting the program of activities planned by the elders and quit giving as God has prospered you to enable the congregation to meet its budget, you need to be restored.

Gus Nichols

Withdrawing from the Withdrawn

Strange as it may seem, some actually deny the right of the church to withdraw their fellowship from those who refuse to walk in the light. Others agree that such must be done, but that it cannot be done if some have already “withdrawn from the church.” This is strange language indeed, or we read nothing in the Scriptures about the right of people to “withdraw from the church.” However, we do read about the responsibility of the church to withdraw from certain ones who become wayward. The Scripture says, “mark them which cause divisions…and avoid them” (Romans 16:17); “when ye are gathered together…To deliver such an one unto Satan…Purge out…the old leaven…not to keep company…not to eat…. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person” (I Corinthians 5:4-13); “from such withdraw thyself” (I Timothy 6:5); “Now we command you…withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly…note that man, and have no company with him” (II Thessalonians 3:6-14). 

These passages show that the church has an active responsibility in the matter of discipline, and must take a stand for truth and fellowship. Our responsibility is not merely passive. Apostates from the faith seldom become such for no reason at all, but are actively engaged in the ways of the world. “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world” (II Timothy 4:10). Those who forsake the Lord in worship have usually already forsaken Him in living. Does this mean the church can do nothing to discipline wayward members if they have already ceased to worship with the saints? Just where do people get the idea that fellowship is limited to the worship “service”? They must think so, if they think they are to withdraw only from those who attend worship. Actually, we do not forbid anyone to attend worship when they are disciplined, but we encourage them to attend so as to be exhorted to Christian living. A withdrawal of fellowship simply means that Christians are to do nothing with those withdrawn from that would indicate any approval of their wayward conduct, and this would primarily be outside of the worship service. Any effort to reject God’s Will in discipline is an effort to follow the way of least resistance. We need to forget our fears and human reasoning and start obeying God.  

Don Tarbet

Withdrawing from the Withdrawn

Strange as it may seem, some actually deny the right of the church to withdraw their fellowship from those who refuse to walk in the light. Others agree that such must be done, but that it cannot be done if some have already “withdrawn from the church.” This is strange language indeed, or we read nothing in the Scriptures about the right of people to “withdraw from the church.” However, we do read about the responsibility of the church to withdraw from certain ones who become wayward. The Scripture says, “mark them which cause divisions…and avoid them” (Romans 16:17); “when ye are gathered together…To deliver such an one unto Satan…. Purge out…the old leaven…not to keep company…not to eat…. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person” (I Corinthians 5:4-13); “from such withdraw thyself” (I Timothy 6:5); “Now we command you…withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly…note that man, and have no company with him” (II Thessalonians 3:6-14). 

These passages show that the church has an active responsibility in the matter of discipline, and must take a stand for truth and fellowship. Our responsibility is not merely passive. Apostates from the faith seldom become such for no reason at all, but are actively engaged in the ways of the world. “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world” (II Timothy 4:10). Those who forsake the Lord in worship have usually already forsaken Him in living. Does this mean the church can do nothing to discipline wayward members if they have already ceased to worship with the saints? Just where do people get the idea that fellowship is limited to the worship “service”? They must think so, if they think they are to withdraw only from those who attend worship. Actually, we do not forbid anyone to attend worship when they are disciplined, but we encourage them to attend so as to be exhorted to Christian living. A withdrawal of fellowship simply means that Christians are to do nothing with those withdrawn from that would indicate any approval of their wayward conduct, and this would primarily be outside of the worship service. Any effort to reject God’s Will in discipline is an effort to follow the way of least resistance. We need to forget our fears and human reasoning and start obeying God.

Don Tarbet