Comments on: Godless Publicans http://www.moneymissions.com/ben/culture/godless-publicans/ Candid Talk from Christian Missionaries Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:33:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Ben http://www.moneymissions.com/ben/culture/godless-publicans/#comment-148 Ben Thu, 23 Nov 2006 04:06:46 +0000 http://www.moneymissions.com/ben/culture/godless-publicans#comment-148 Hi Laura, great blog you have. I think I'm in agreement with you. Paul's rebuke of the church in Corinth is very firm; and sheds light on Jesus's words. "Putting them out...[of] any position of authority" seems to be a Christ-like response. Hi Laura, great blog you have.

I think I’m in agreement with you. Paul’s rebuke of the church in Corinth is very firm; and sheds light on Jesus’s words. “Putting them out…[of] any position of authority” seems to be a Christ-like response.

]]> By: Laura http://www.moneymissions.com/ben/culture/godless-publicans/#comment-144 Laura Tue, 21 Nov 2006 18:51:30 +0000 http://www.moneymissions.com/ben/culture/godless-publicans#comment-144 This topic has come up a few times in comments on my blog; what to do with a believer - or someone who at least professes to be a believer, yet rejects biblical correction from the church. <blockquote> For it is no business of mine to be judging those who are outside; but it is yours to be judging those who are among you; As for those who are outside, God is their judge. So put away the evil man from among you. (1 Corinthians 5:12-13) </blockquote> Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary includes this comment on that passage of scripture: <blockquote> 1Co 5:9-13 - Christians are to avoid familiar converse with all who disgrace the Christian name. Such are only fit companions for their brethren in sin, and to such company they should be left, whenever it is possible to do so. <strong>Alas, that there are many called Christians, whose conversation is more dangerous than that of heathens!</strong> [emphasis added]</blockquote> So I think putting them out is the clearly biblical thing to do - but my understanding of what that means is from any position of authority, teaching, etc. Let them be a guest. Revoke their membership, don't let them take part in any voting or decision-making, etc. Treat them as you would an unbeliever that you want to show the love of Christ to; don't shun them. And wait for repentance when they can be restored gently back into the church. This topic has come up a few times in comments on my blog; what to do with a believer - or someone who at least professes to be a believer, yet rejects biblical correction from the church.

For it is no business of mine to be judging those who are outside; but it is yours to be judging those who are among you; As for those who are outside, God is their judge. So put away the evil man from among you. (1 Corinthians 5:12-13)

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary includes this comment on that passage of scripture:

1Co 5:9-13 - Christians are to avoid familiar converse with all who disgrace the Christian name. Such are only fit companions for their brethren in sin, and to such company they should be left, whenever it is possible to do so. Alas, that there are many called Christians, whose conversation is more dangerous than that of heathens! [emphasis added]

So I think putting them out is the clearly biblical thing to do - but my understanding of what that means is from any position of authority, teaching, etc. Let them be a guest. Revoke their membership, don’t let them take part in any voting or decision-making, etc. Treat them as you would an unbeliever that you want to show the love of Christ to; don’t shun them. And wait for repentance when they can be restored gently back into the church.

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