Text: Acts 5:11-42

Topics addressed in this lesson

(Church discipline, Worldly opposition, Whom shall we obey?)

(Acts 5:11-42 NASB) "And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all who heard of these things".

Those of you who were here last Lord’s day know that the fear spoken of in this text was caused by God’s discipline of Ananias and Sapphira in a worship service. For the sin of deceit and lying to the Holy Spirit God killed them. Hundreds, if not thousands of Christians witnessed the event. Thousands more soon heard about the deaths and all who heard were filled with the fear of God. Word spread rapidly and soon even the community of unbelievers knew what God had done. How did they respond? The answer is given in the following texts.

{12} And at the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico. {13} But none of the rest dared to associate with them; (the apostles) however, the people held them in high esteem".

We have talked about the unity and love that filled the early church. We have witnessed people selling their own property for the good and benefit of their poorer brothers and sisters. This on going exhibition of love was poof that these people were indeed followers of Jesus. (John 13:35 NASB) "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." Their charitable treatment of each other attracted many to the church where they heard the gospel and were saved. Now, however, we read of something that repelled people. {13} "But none of the rest dared to associate with them". This is not surprising nor is it unique to the age of the apostles.

Even if the masses had discounted the apostles in the past, their miracles, their message, they could no longer do so. God had struck two people dead under the direct ministry of the apostles. Without skipping a beat they were back in the temple performing signs and wonders, teaching the same message about Christ crucified and risen. These men, their message, their God, were not to be trifled with!

The specifics as to why some dared not associate with the apostles or the church were no doubt different from person to person but we can safely conclude the following. Those who dared not associate with the apostles and the church at large knew the truth about themselves. They were unrepentant sinners, fakes, and they knew it. They now understood that the Christian’s God knew it as well and would not put up with them. So, those who had it in their hearts to be religious for some reason other than worshipping the true and living God stayed in the background. They were afraid to enter the church as hypocrites or pretenders. The early church had a reputation with believers and unbelievers that churches today fight diligently to avoid. That reputation was one of intolerance.

Today, when a church exhibits the sign, "Everyone Welcome", it too often means exactly that. Everyone is welcome and nothing will be said about your beliefs or behavior. To deviate from this all-inclusive-anything-goes position is, according to many, unloving, intolerant, and uncompassionate. This of course is not true. Tolerance must be practiced in the church but that does not mean we look the other way when sin is present. Compassion is a good thing but I fear that in many churches it speaks of understanding and accepting a person’s reason for continuing in their sin. This was not the case in the first church and everyone knew it. Therefore, or, that is why, ". . none of the rest dared to associate with them". The hypocrite, the open, persistent, sinner, the formalist would have found no tolerance or compassion in the early church. Further, erring Christians, who refused to repent, would be disciplined according to the teachings of Christ. If the church didn’t deal with them God obviously would.

We spoke briefly about church discipline in last weeks lesson. Today I want to discuss discipline in the church in more detail. Specifically I want us to think of what some say are the negative affects of church discipline. To some the very fact that "none of the rest dared to associate with the apostles" is a red flag warning the church of danger. It tells the modern church to avoid all censure all discipline lest someone, anyone put off, or upset. I tell you that if we take this position we must do so in opposition to Jesus who gives us specific instructions for keeping the church pure. Lets begin our study with the words of Christ as found in Matthew 18:15-20 NASB.

"And if your brother sins, go and reprove him in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother".

Here is something that is completely ignored or even preached against in a great many churches that identify themselves as Christian. The text says that we are to pay attention to our brothers and sisters and that we are to judge their behavior. We often hear Christians repeat the phrase, "Judge not lest you be judged". I can almost say that just as often as this phrase is repeated it is taken out of context and caused to stand in opposition to much that Jesus and the apostles command us to do. The phrase is believed to mean that we should never evaluate the behavior of our brothers and sisters in the church. That is not what it means at all. In fact Jesus commands just the opposite. He says that we are to notice sin in our fellow Christian’s life and when we have JUDGED him or her to be practicing sin we are to reprove them. The word, "reprove", means to convict one of a crime or to expose that which is hidden. In other words, we are to deal with a sinful brother in such a way as to expose his sin to him so that he is convicted of the wrong and repents. If the teachings of Christ mean anything to us we must judge the behavior of those around us. We are not to become meddlesome, nit-picking, critical nags, of every move made by those in the family of God but we must not ignore sin in their lives. (This, by the way, is what the statement, "Judge not lest you be judged" forbids. We must not be nagging critics of the brethren. See Matthew 7:1-6)

The instruction in our text for today has to do with those who practice sin with intent, a lack of conviction for that sin, and with no evidence that they are trying to turn from the behavior. When we see such behavior in a brother’s life we must judge the situation carefully and when we are certain of the facts reprove him and call him to repentance. Jesus commands this. "And if your brother sins, go and reprove him in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother".

If, says Jesus, your brother listens to you, which means he admits and repents of the sin you have brought to his attention, you have won a brother. What does it mean to win a brother? It means that you have profited him; you have gained something of great worth for him, yourself, and the entire church. It means he has been persuaded to change directions. It means he has been saved from the consequences that God’s children inevitably experience when they insist on practicing sin. He has been saved from the discipline of the Lord and of the church. Further, the reputation of the church has been preserved. The church itself has been saved from a possible infection or cancer that could very well kill her usefulness. Although many do not perceive it as such all discipline, all reproof from the brethren is the fruit of Christian love for God and man. Christian love will simply not allow a brother or sister to walk off the edge of a cliff without some serious intervention. Here the words of James and I Peter.

1 Peter 4:8 "Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins".

The goal of discipline is always to win the erring one, to cause him to turn from his wicked ways. The goal is to keep him from falling deeper into sin and therefore deeper into misery. But what happens if you can’t "win" your brother? What if he tells you to mind your own business as is often the case? Jesus answers the question.

{16} "But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED.

Because of the erring one’s refusal to repent his sin can no longer remain a private matter. The man who confronted him in the first place must now take the situation into a more public arena. He must tell the story to ONE or TWO others who are willing to go with him for another confrontation. Why must there be two or three involved at this point? There must be witnesses to the second encounter so that the facts can be verified if the case has to go before the whole church. My experience has been that if a discipline action goes this far the person often becomes angry, antagonistic, and may even lie about what took place at the meeting when asked about it later. Therefore, witnesses to the truth are essential. Jesus tells us what to do if the brother is still not convicted and repentant.

{17} "And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; (the gathered members of a local church) and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax-gatherer".

At this point the whole church becomes involved. Together they must hear the case and make judgments based on the information and testimony provided. If the whole church agrees with the three brothers who have been trying to call this one to repentance they must take action. They must insist that the man confess and turn from his sin immediately. If he still refuses to repent, the church has no choice but to pass sentence on him. This person must be excommunicated. What that means is explained by the phrase, "let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax-gatherer". In other words, from that moment on till the time he confesses his sin and repents every member of the church is to treat this person like an unbeliever.

Many people have a wrong idea about what Excommunication really is. It does not necessarily mean that the person will be asked to stop attending the church. In fact, this is rarely the case. We have had to discipline a number of people over the years and NONE of them have been asked to leave the church initially. To do so would be contrary to the intent and purpose of discipline, which is restoration. So long as he or she is not disruptive they are welcome to attend. There are, however, some drastic changes that must take place in the way the church relates to this person.

First, the stubborn, unrepentant, brother will not be permitted to take communion. From this time forward until he confesses and openly repents of his sin he will not be allowed to participate in the Lord’s Supper. He becomes an ex-communicant. He once join with us in the joyous celebration but that was then and this is now. To give him communion when the church knows full well he is living in open defiance of God would encourage him to eat and drink in an unworthy manner to his own destruction. To let him pretend that all is well between him, God, and the church, would be to encourage his hypocrisy. To allow him to participate in the Lord’s Supper would be to invite God’s discipline on the whole body. So he must be barred from the Lord’s Table. In addition all close fellowship with this person must be cut off. Hear the word of the Lord on this aspect of discipline.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 "Now we command you, brethren, (he speaks to the whole church) in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep aloof (refrain from fellowship, approach with caution) from every brother who leads an unruly (disorderly or undisciplined, sinful) life and not according to the tradition (The teachings of the apostles.) which you received from us". . . 14 And if anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that man and do not associate (do not mix) with him, so that he may be put to shame. 15 And yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother". This last statement encourages us to hold out hope, "do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother". He once professed to know and love Christ. Maybe, if we carefully follow our Lord’s instructions, he will repent and be rejoined to the fellowship. We are not to associate with him on a social level but when we come in contact with him we are to admonish him, we are to call him to repentance. Consider also the words of Romans 16:17.

"Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them". Here again we see that Christians are required to judge other Christians. We must not be nit-picking-nagging-critics, but we must "keep our eyes open" and refuse to ignore the obvious. We must turn away from those convicted of causing dissension in the church and hindrances to its progress. The reason for this command was cited in the previous text, ". . so that he may be put to shame." Christians have new hearts and they are tender hearts. If they have really been born again sin is hateful to them even though they/we fall into it on occasion. When sin is brought to the Christian’s attention they will be ashamed and, after awhile at least, turn in repentance to again walk with the Lord. Refusing to have close fellowship with an erring brother is not being mean, rather, it is necessary to his restoration.

Look with me at 1 Corinthians 5:9. "I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people (The word "immoral" refers specifically and most often to fornication but it also describes sinfulness in general, as the rest of the text reveals. Paul is not talking about unsaved immoral people. One cannot stop associating with them without leaving the world. Rather, he is speaking of professing Christians who are behaving in an immoral way. He makes this very clear in the next verse.) 11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he should be an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--not even to eat with such a one". There it is again. The successful discipline of an erring brother or sister requires that we break fellowship with them until they repent. To violate this part of church discipline is to take the sting and effectiveness out of the whole process. One will not be impressed with his need to change if the relationship between him and the church remains the same. Discipline will not accomplish its intent if it does not cause the person pain.

Consider also the words of Titus 3:10.

"Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, . . ." The word "reject" is defined as follows. To beg off, have nothing to do with, make excuses, and refuse. A person under the discipline of the church must be rejected in this sense. Our fellowship with them cannot remain the same.

Such action taken by the church has God’s sanction and support. This fact is revealed in Matthew 18:18 where Jesus says, "Truly I say to you, whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (In order to make sense of this statement and the one that follows we must remain aware of the context. Jesus is speaking of the discipline of an erring saint by the gathered church. He is saying in effect, "When you have come together for the purpose of discipline and have followed My instructions you have heaven’s support. Whether you chose to excommunicate the person or dismiss the case you have heaven’s approval and support. What ever you bind or loose you have My and the Father’s sanction to do so.) {19} "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven". Context, Context, Context! This statement must be understood in light of the discussion on church discipline. It is not a heavenly credit card without limits or payments telling us that if any three Christians agree that they should never be sick and should always be wealthy that God will grant their request! Believe it or not many take the text to mean exactly that. What it does mean is that when the church comes together to decide on an issue of discipline and they call on God for wisdom He will surely give it. This text has to do with more than one believer joining together in prayer to seek wisdom from God for deciding a case of discipline. Jesus continues.

{20} "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst." One more time we must consider the context in order to properly understand this statement. Jesus made it in reference to church discipline. Where two or three are gathered together, according to these instructions, for this reason, I approve and am with them. This is an encouragement to the church to be faithful in maintaining its purity no matter how hard it may be to do so. The church has God’s support and blessing when she must deal with sin in her midst. This text is often quoted to encourage a teacher or pastor when only a hand full of people has showed up to worship. But that is not its proper application. Yes God is in the midst of two or three of His children when they meet. But He is also in and with one person when they worship alone. The proper application of the text is that of a discipline of the church. When she is assembled to take care of such a situation, Jesus is there with her and she has His approval.

In case I have not been clear as to the details of church discipline I offer this article from a very useful book titled, "Concise Theology". It reads as follows, "When Reformed theology highlights the importance of church discipline, insisting that there is no spiritual health without it and that it is a vital mark of a true church, more is in view than judicial processes against immoral persons and heretics. Only where the personal disciplines of learning and devotion, worship and fellowship, righteousness and service are being steadily taught in a context of care and accountability (Matt. 28:20; John 21:15-17; 2 Tim. 2:14-26; Titus 2; Heb. 13:17) is there a meaningful place for judicial correctives. The New Testament clearly shows, however, that in that context judicial correctives have a significant place in the maturing of churches and individuals (1 Cor. 5:1-13; 2 Cor. 2:5-11; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14-15; Titus 1:10-14; 3:9-11).

Jesus instituted church discipline by authorizing the apostles to bind and to loose (i.e., prohibit and permit, Matt. 18:18) and to declare sins forgiven or retained (John 20:23).

The Westminster Confession declares: "Church censures (church disciplines) are necessary, for the reclaiming and gaining of offending brethren, for deterring others from like offenses, for purging out that leaven which might infect the whole lump, for vindicating the honor of Christ, and the holy profession of the gospel, and for preventing the wrath of God, which might justly fall upon the church, if they should suffer His covenant, the sacraments, (baptism and the Lord’s Supper) to be profaned by notorious and obstinate offenders. (XXX.3)

Church censures may have to escalate from bare admonition through exclusion from the Lord’s Supper to expulsion from the congregation (excommunication), which is described as handing a person over to Satan, the prince of this world (Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5:1-5, 11; 1 Tim. 1:20; Titus 3:10-11). Public sins (i.e., those that are open to the whole church’s view) should be publicly corrected in the church’s presence (1 Tim. 5:20; cf. Gal. 2:11-14). Jesus teaches a procedure for dealing privately with those who have given personal offense, in hope that it will not be necessary to ask for the church’s public censure of them (Matt. 18:15-17).

The purpose of church censure in all its forms is NOT to punish for punishment’s sake but to call forth repentance and so recover the straying sheep. Ultimately there is only one sin for which a church member is excommunicated—a refusal to repent. When repentance is apparent, the church is to declare the sin forgiven and receive the offender into fellowship once again". (End Quote)

Christ’s instruction on the subject of discipline becomes clear when looked at carefully but the implementation this instruction is not easy. It is not easy because we are thinking and emotional creatures that find it difficult to walk by faith and not by sight. It is hard for us to ignore our feelings and emotions and simply obey the Lord. When we enter into a situation that might call for discipline we begin to think about the consequences of taking such action. We don’t want to do it because people’s feelings are going to be hurt. People might leave the church. The person being disciplined might not repent and they might leave the church. Further, what will the people in our families think when they see us taking such action? Surely they will think we are unloving and uncompassionate. Perhaps they will say, "If that’s how Christians treat each other I want nothing to do with them". Perhaps they will say exactly that.