Point # 1 Church membership is the act of committing to a specific flock that is graciously governed by qualified leaders.

Point # 2 Church Discipline

a) In the broadest sense, church discipline is everything the church does to help its members pursue holiness and fight sin. (Ephesians 4:11-32; Philippians 2:1-18)

b) In a narrower sense, church discipline is the act of correcting sin in the life of the body – including the possible final step of excluding a professing Christian from membership in the church because of serious unrepentant sin.

• Matthew 18:15-17
• 1 Corinthians 5:1-13
• 2 Corinthians 2:6
• 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
• Titus 3:10-11
• 1 Timothy 1:20

Point # 3 Questions about church discipline.

1) Where does the church get the authority to hand a person over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh (Matthew 16:13ff; Luke 11:52)?

2) What purpose does this discipline serve?

3) Why is church discipline important?

a) For the good of the person disciplined
b) For the good of other Christians, so they see the danger of sin
c) For the health of the church as a whole
d) For the corporate witness of the church
e) For the glory of God, as we reflect his holiness