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Church Discipline

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · May 25, 1905

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 21.

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Church Discipline

THE hour at 5:30 A. M., May 17 was devoted to a consideration of the question of church discipline. The question was asked as to what should be done with members of the church who only partially keep the Sabbath, and who use tea, coffee, tobacco, opium, etc.
In replying to this question R. A. Underwood related an experience which occurred in Ohio many years ago, when a man who was using tobacco secretly was labored with carefully and prayerfully. He always pleaded, “Bear with me, brethren.” But the time came when the man was converted, and his tobacco went, and he was a clean man for the remainder of his life. You can not lay down an absolute rule for dealing with every case. God must teach us what we should do. We must seek to maintain discipline, receiving from God the instruction we need for every case.
D. T. Bourdeau stated that the essential thing in such a case is to connect the person with the mighty power of God, and lead the person to the point of yielding his will for an effort to overcome, and if necessary have the church pray for him. The miracle-working power of God taking hold of a person who has a bad habit will enable that person to gain the victory, and by a connection with God we shall have wisdom to help in such cases.
G. F. Watson stated that the idea had become prevalent throughout our churches that we had reached a time when no one is to be disfellowshipped, and he stated that some who hold this idea believe they are supported in this position by the instruction contained in the parable of the wheat and the tares. He did not believe, however, that this parable applied to members of churches, but that the tares are in the world, and ought to remain in the world.
E. W. Farnsworth coincided with this opinion, saying that he believed the parable of the wheat and the tares represents the world, and not the church.
C. Santee read regarding the matter of church discipline, from “Spirit of Prophecy,” Vol. III, pages 246, 247, as follows:— “When the church takes up the case of an offender, the prayer of faith will bring Christ into the midst as an all-wise counselor.” “If the voice of the church is disregarded, and his individual will is set up above it, then the offender must be promptly dealt with, and the decision of the brethren, made with prayer and faith, and according to the wisdom given them of God, is ratified by heaven.” “The directions of the apostles in regard to condemnation or acquittal in case of church trials are to remain valid till the end of time.”
He also read from “Testimonies for the Church,” page 429, as follows: “In heaven there is perfect order, perfect obedience, perfect peace and harmony. Those who have had no respect for order or discipline in this life would have no respect for the order which is observedin heaven. They can never be admitted into heaven. . . . When Christ shall come, he will not change the character of any individual.”