Has the Church Any Protection From Inward Foes? by GEORGE I. BUTLER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 15, 1908

Has the Church Any Protection From Inward Foes?

By GEORGE I. BUTLER

GEORGE I. BUTLER

(Concluded)

THE next testimony we adduce is St. Paul’s directions concerning the incestuous Corinthians, and the case of Hymenæus and Alexander. 1 Cor. 5: 2-5; 1 Tim. 1: 19, 20. Of the first, he says to the Corinthian church: “Ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 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.”

Concerning Hymenæus and Alexander, Paul says: “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: of whom is Hymenæus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.”

These persons were excommunicated; the first for immorality, the others for heresy. Evidently the phrase, “delivered unto Satan,” is equivalent to excommunication. It must mean that. If they were left in the fellowship of the church, it could not truthfully be said that they were “delivered unto Satan.” Let us notice other scriptures to make this point plain. In Col. 1: 2-14 Paul addresses the church in these words: “To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse.” Paul exhorts them to give thanks unto the Father, “which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” Here these brethren are represented as coming forth from Satan’s kingdom of darkness into the church of our Lord Jesus Christ, where the light of heaven prevails—out of Satan’s dark kingdom into Christ’s kingdom of light and glory. They come into that kingdom by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, the outward evidence of this change being their admission into the church of Jesus Christ. But now by sins of transgression or of heresy they have violated the principles of their holy religion, the evidence of which they plainly give. Their fellowship was withdrawn, and they stand just where they were before. Where was that?—In the darkness of Satan’s dominions.

‘Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against wicked spirits in heavenly places.’ Eph. 6: 11, 12, margin.

This language quoted from the apostle’s writings clearly demonstrates that giving one’s heart to God and becoming connected with his visible church on earth is reckoned by him as a translation into the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ on earth; and consciously committing flagrant sins, persisting in them in self-justification, and being cast forth without the fellowship of his people, is a transference to the kingdom of Satan—delivered ‘unto Satan.’

Paul describes the commission he received from the Lord Jesus when he was sent to the Gentiles: “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” Acts 26: 18. Here again the act of being placed in Christ’s kingdom, the church, is pronounced to be a translation from darkness to light, from the power of Satan unto God. Conversely, to be cast out of the church would be to be removed from light to darkness, to be transferred from God’s government and delivered unto Satan. Lest after all these clear evidences of the meaning of the term, ‘delivered unto Satan,’ any may doubt whether it refers to withdrawing fellowship, let us notice Paul’s statements concerning the incestuous person. See 1 Cor. 5: 5. After the statement in verse 5, “To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh,” the apostle proceeds: “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.” He writes this to the Corinthian church. But the principle is the same in any other church. Verse 9: “I wrote unto you in an epistle not to keep company with fornicators.” Verse 13: “Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” We know not how language could be made plainer than in these various expressions. Paul is referring to one and the same thing—the expulsion of this incestuous person from the church, and the danger of the church being contaminated in holding in fellowship persons who are living in wickedness and known sin.

Let us briefly notice a few other scriptures before closing our consideration of this subject: “Mark them which cause division and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” Rom. 16: 17. “I would they were even cut off which trouble you.” Gal. 5: 12. “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; . . . from such withdraw thyself.” 1 Tim. 6: 3-5. “A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject.” Titus 3: 10. A heretic is one who holds not to doctrines taught by the Scriptures, which he once believed but now disowns. “Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Gal. 1: 8, 9.

There are many other scriptures that speak just as decidedly as these we have quoted. But if these do not demonstrate the absolute necessity of being sound in the faith of God’s Word, and the duty of watching carefully lest heresies come in, and of dealing decidedly with those teaching them, when in the church, then others will fail to teach these important truths. The Word teaches the necessity of soundness in the faith, and that wicked conduct in the membership is not to be tolerated. The Scriptures demand that those in error be faithfully dealt with, that they be warned, and if possible saved. It is a duty we owe to those indulging in wickedness, or teaching contrary to sound doctrine, to show such their wrongs. If they repent and humble their hearts, then all will rejoice. But if they stubbornly refuse to correct their conduct, it is best for the church and best for the individual, for the church to take its stand and no longer hold them in fellowship. All should be done in love and faithfulness.

Thus we see that God has placed in his church on earth power to protect itself from internal evils. Christ himself commands that we should use this power when necessary.

Bowling Green, Fla.