When Removal from the Church is Necessary
Church discipline is a necessary function of the church, but many get it wrong: they either don’t do it, they don’t know how to, or they do it in a way contrary to the Bible.
First Corinthians gives us some insight on why it’s necessary, when to do it, and how to do it. Let’s search the scriptures to better understand how to implement change in an unfortunate situation.
In the fifth chapter of First Corinthians, we learn there is a brother in Christ who was a fornicator, specifically with his mother or stepmother. While this sin was vile, the problem deepened in that there was no mourning and they were glorying in the sin.
“[1] It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. [2] And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.” – 1 Corinthians 5:1-2
The Apostle Paul then proceeds to instruct them, as a congregation, to remove that brother in Christ from the assembly of believers multiple times in multiple ways.
“…he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you…” – 1Co 5:2
“…to deliver such an one unto Satan…” – 1Co 5:5
“…not to company…” – 1Co 5:9
“…not to keep company…” – 1Co 5:11
“…put away from among you …” – 1Co 5:13
At first glance, this might seem like the instruction is that when someone does a bad thing, kick them out of the church. This is a wrong understanding. If that were the case, none of us could attend any church because we are all desperately wicked in our flesh and continue to sin until the day we die (Rom 3:10, 7:18-20).
Sin is handled by the cross of Christ, paid for and forgiven by His atoning blood. Removal doesn’t happen because of a sin issue, but because of an unrepentant doctrinal issue. Sinful behavior is a symptom of bad doctrine and if the bad doctrine is confronted and not changed, removal from the church is needed.
“[33] Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” – 1 Corinthians 15:33
“[16] But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” – 2 Timothy 2:16
When we are first saved, there are many things we don’t know and there are many sinful behaviors and attitudes that should be changed. While doing the sin is problematic, it is the lack of willingness to submit to and recognize God’s righteous standard that is a deeper issue. It is pride.
However, because we were all foolish and unlearned about the truth once (or might still be), there is a biblical formula for the purpose of removal, when to do it, and how to do it that is extremely important. We don’t just go kicking people out left and right! That defeats the whole purpose of coming together to edify one another in love, unity, and truth (Eph 4:2-3, 15). If the body were perfect, we wouldn’t need to learn anything together!
The Purpose of Removal
One purpose of removal is to keep doctrinal purity in the assembly so that the church’s doctrine is not tainted by the leaven of the heretic. Doctrinal apathy and error, self-righteousness, and pride are the cancers that begin to grow when heresy is allowed to persist and be promoted in churches. Glorying in sin is wrong and it should be confronted.
“[6] Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? [7] Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: [8] Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” – 1 Corinthians 5:6-8
Another purpose of removal is that the offender might learn not to blaspheme. This removal is a punishment and it ultimately should cause a godly sorrow that leads to repentance (2Co 2:6). While this doesn’t always happen, there is biblical precedence that it can, and at the very least you are protecting those in the congregation from doctrinal error.
“[20] Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” – 1 Timothy 1:20
“[9] Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. [10] For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” – 2 Corinthians 7:9-10
Doctrinal purity, the protection of others, and repentance are the purposes of removal and any other reason is most likely rooted in a fleshly motivation. The church is not for perfect people, but if you want to sin and promote that sin, it needs to be dealt with.
When to Remove
When someone in the church is glorying in sin and subsequently a heretic, there is a first course of action: reproof, rebuke, correction, and admonition with the word of God. If after confronting and seeking to correct the wrong doctrine twice, using the Bible as your reference to communicate truth, they still have not consented to the truth of God, the Bible says to withdraw yourself from their company. They are proud and subverted. In the case of the Corinthian church, the fornicator was glorying in the sin and not sorrowful. This devilish disposition was the root problem.
“[9] But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. [10] A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; [11] Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” – Titus 3:9-11
“[3] If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; [4] He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, [5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” – 1 Timothy 6:3-5
How to Remove
Under grace, our heart and mind’s disposition are equally as important as the work we’re doing. For example, if we give money out of necessity or grudgingly, our giving is wrong (2Co 9:7). In the same manner, how someone is removed matters.
Removal is not vengeful and it is as a brother or sister in Christ. It is meek, longsuffering, and ultimately sorrowful. As Christians, we shouldn’t want to kick people out of our church meetings. If it needs to be done, it needs to be done, but as the brother or sister is choosing to be ensnared by the devil’s lies, it should not bring us joy.
“[14] And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. [15] Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15
“[24] And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, [25] In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; [26] And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” – 2 Timothy 2:24-26
Additionally, just as Christ forgave us, forgiveness is always there and the door is open if repentance does occur. An unforgiving heart breeds bitterness and we don’t want to develop an angry or resentful sentiment towards our brothers and sisters in Christ.
“[7] So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. [8] Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. [9] For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. [10] To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; [11] Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” – 2 Corinthians 2:7-11
“[32] And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:32
Final Thoughts
Removal from assembling with the church is not ideal and we should take the initiative and seek to correct the error before it reaches that point. One important final thought is that this process of removal applies to CHURCH GATHERINGS.
This is not the playbook when your Christian family continues to serve and promote sin. Patient, meek, and longsuffering correction and admonition still apply, but you do not remove your family from your family (as if you could?).
This is not the playbook when you are dealing with friends and family who are unsaved. Withdrawing yourself from them eliminates any opportunity for you to share the gospel with them and get them saved (1Co 5:9-11). Besides, they don’t know any better, as they are still dead in trespasses and sins, following after the course of this world (Eph 2:1-3).
When we come across a situation in our churches where doctrinal error needs correction, let us follow the Bible’s pattern so we can maintain doctrinal purity, protect those in the church, and ultimately seek to restore those in error.
