{"id":54775,"date":"2024-01-31T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-31T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/?p=54775"},"modified":"2024-01-25T07:56:51","modified_gmt":"2024-01-25T15:56:51","slug":"what-is-church-discipline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/what-is-church-discipline\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Church Discipline?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At the first sound of it, the practice of church discipline can catch people off guard. Discipline can give off some pretty negative vibes. Plus, when we hear of discipline in the context of the church, it doesn\u2019t fit in with our concept of a loving community. That\u2019s where we need Scripture to offer a helpful correction, to teach us that discipline, though not pleasant, is good and in the context of the local church, loving and necessary. Here\u2019s how Mark Dever describes church discipline in his article in the CSB Study Bible<\/a>. Let\u2019s take a look.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CHURCH DISCIPLINE<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Jesus Christ founded and purchased the church with his blood (Ac 20:28<\/a>), and he builds it upon acknowledgment and faith in him as Messiah (Mt 16:18<\/a>). This means the church belongs to Jesus and represents him to the nations. In this light, the purity of the church is vital. Rightly practiced, church discipline helps ensure that purity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TWO CATEGORIES OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Two categories of church discipline describe ways a church may teach its members right living and right beliefs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n