Having preached in several different congregations and having known of situations that could have been handled in a better way, I can see where this article would benefit members of the body of Christ.  A lot of congregational divisions start with an issue between two Christians.  That issue starts different groups of people forming on separate sides of whatever the issue might be.  Have the two Christians talked about it?  Not generally.  The issue turns into a division and the division splits one congregation into two congregations.  Such was the issue in Christiansburg, VA.  I started preaching for a congregation and shortly after being there I found out that this congregation was a split off of the other in town.  After some research into the situation it was evident that the split occurred because of two elders, who were related to each other, could not agree on the firing of a preacher.  The whole situation could have been handled differently and would have prevented division and family disputes that still exist to this very day.  What could have been handled differently?

When there is an issue between two Christians they should follow the Bible way of handling it.  (Matthew 18:15-17) “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.”  It would be the hope that the first meeting between the two Christians would solve the issue.  If two Christians really feel the way they should about each other then that situation should be easily solved.

How should Christians feel about each other?  (Romans 12:10) “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.”  (Hebrews 13:1) “Let brotherly love continue.”  (I Peter 2:17) “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.”  (I John 2:9-11) “He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.  He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.  But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.”  We show the world who’s disciples we are by having love one towards another.  (John 13:34-35) “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”  It would be great if each congregation could have written to them what Paul wrote to the Thessalonians.  (I Thessalonians 4:9) “But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.”  What if there is doctrinal error?  How should public teachings and displays of error be dealt with?

Having a private issue between to brethren and having doctrinal issues are two different things.  When one is teaching a false doctrine they must be handled swiftly.  The Bible teaches clearly that the individual who teaches error is a threat to the unity of the body of Christ.  This person can cause much division within the body of Christ.  Proper action must be taken.  (Romans 16:17-18) “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”  This individual is not to be in fellowship with the saints if they refuse to hold to the teachings of Christ.  (II John 9-11) “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”  What if a Christian in sin repents?  How should they be treated?

If a person truly repents and makes the proper changes in their lives they then must be allowed back into the fellowship of the saints and true forgiveness of their trespasses must be granted.  God forgives and forgets at the time of confession of sins (I John 1:9).  Christians too should be that way.  The passages closing Matthew chapter 18 teach this as the truth.  (Matthew 18:21-35) “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.  Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.  And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.  But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.  The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.  Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.  But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.  And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.  And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.  So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.  Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?  And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.  So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” – B.A.Y.