It has been disturbing over the years to find brethren calling congregations that do not practice congregational discipline “sound congregations”.  When we use the word “sound” (from the standpoint of the English language in reference to religious matters) that word means: “Solid, firm, free from error, fallacy, or misapprehension, exhibiting or based on thorough knowledge and experience, legally valid, logically valid and having true premises, agreeing with accepted views” (Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th edition).  From a biblical standpoint, when we speak of the word “sound” from passages such as I Timothy 1:10, II Timothy 1:13; 4:3, Titus 1:9; 1:13; and 2:1-2 we are using a word that means: “to be uncorrupt” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible; Strong’s # 5198) or “…free from any mixture of error” (Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament).  The definitions of the word “sound” noted above show that a congregation being designated as a “sound congregation” must be free from error.

     A sound congregation will hold fast to the pattern of sound words found within the New Testament (II Timothy 1:13).  However, when it comes to congregations practicing discipline some brethren will not heed the pattern we see in the New Testament.  Such brethren refuse to put up with sound doctrine (II Timothy 4:3).  The New Testament clearly shows that a sound congregation will practice discipline.

      The church meeting in Corinth found herself in error as we know from the pen of the Apostle Paul because they were not practicing discipline.  The church meeting in Corinth had a fornicator among them (I Corinthians 5:1).  The brethren in Corinth were failing in not practicing discipline on this fornicator that was among them (I Corinthians 5:2).  The church meeting in Corinth needed to “…deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (I Corinthians 5:5).  The failure by the brethren in Corinth would present the opportunity for sin to spread.  Paul wrote warning of this by saying: “Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?  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: 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” (I Corinthians 5:6-8).

     There is no greater or lesser sin (James 2:10-11).  Brethren need to learn today from what occurred in Corinth.  Sin, if left alone, will spread affecting the spiritual lives of other brethren.  In this case, discipline is a method that protects the flock.  However, that is not the only reason to practice discipline.  Brethren, if left in sin, will die that way.  Discipline, can help bring the lost back to Christ.

     Christians have an obligation to help restore fellow saints who have stumbled (Galatians 6:1).  When individual attention does not work (in the case of private sins) the church (the collective body of saints assembling as a local congregation) must then be involved.   Jesus said, in speaking of private sins, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.  But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.  And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican” (Matthew 18:15-17).  Here we find a pattern that we ought to follow in cases of private sins.  If a brother or sister in Christ will not hear one, two or three, or the whole congregation that Christian is to be avoided.

     The word of God is very clear in writing about the need to practice congregational discipline.  Paul wrote the following to the brethren assembling in Thessalonica: “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us” (II Thessalonians 3:6).  Paul’s words, written by the authority of Christ, state a very plain command.  Christians are to remove themselves from brethren who walk disorderly.  The word translated “disorderly” means: “disorderly, out of ranks [often so of soldiers]” (Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament).  Paul continued his comments by illustrating that those who are walking disorderly are those who do not walk after the tradition [precept, order] as stated by Paul and other Spirit led teachers making up the foundation of “the faith”.

     The discipline that Paul is writing of to the brethren in Thessalonica is very capable of bringing the lost to repentance.  Christians are supposed to be close to one another both spiritually and socially (Acts 2:42-46).  Removal of fellowship from a Christian should be felt as a punishment much like taking a very likeable task from a child.  An unfaithful Christian should be made to feel uncomfortable like an outcast.  That Christian is not to be in the company of the faithful.  When contact does occur they are to be warned of their sinfulness.  That is what Paul writes to the church at Thessalonica: “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.  Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (II Thessalonians 3:14-15).  Discipline must not only be practiced, but it must be practiced correctly.

     Some congregations feel that they must wait long periods of time before practicing discipline.  In the meantime, they are in fellowship with one they ought not be in fellowship with.  The Scriptures do not list a time period in which a congregation should practice discipline.  However, one should consider that spanking a child six months after they transgress is ineffective.  Common sense must be used.

     Some congregations treat disciplined brethren like honorary guests when they show up at services.  Some brethren continue to fellowship those withdrawn from.  Some brethren view those disciplined like weak Christians.  There is certainly a clear distinction between the two.  The weak are to be supported (I Thessalonians 5:14), while the unfaithful are to be avoided.  Fellowship is never to be extended to works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11).  Those who are withdrawn should be promptly reminded of that, if ever in the presence of the faithful.

     One failure in practicing discipline that occurs among congregations is thinking they need to follow Matthew 18:15-17 in every case.  Such is not true.  Matthew 18:15-17 applies to sins committed privately.  In addition to that failure, some congregations even add another step to the process of congregational discipline by thinking situations need “voted on”.  Discipline is not an option, it’s an instruction that must be practiced in all cases wherein sinfulness occurs and remains unrepented of.  Only matters of expediency should ever be left up to our judgment.  These are just a few examples of failure when congregations practice discipline, but they are common.

      A congregation that does not practice discipline is not sound.  Just as a church can err by changing God’s desired instructions for worship, teaching, and work; a congregation errs when it fails to withdraw from those who walk disorderly.  Sound congregations recognize the need to help those who are failing and also discipline those causing division.  This article has not covered every single aspect of discipline, but the goal was to illustrate the simplicity of the Lord’s instructions relating to congregational discipline.  More is spoken about practicing discipline than is spoken of what day in which we are to partake of the Lord’s Supper.  However, many brethren are able to follow that which has less instruction than that which is spoken of in a greater amount because practicing discipline is not “easy”.  That outlook on congregational discipline shows the misunderstandings our brethren have towards a practice that shows love for the Lord and the brethren.