The Confession of Faith (39)

In the previous article we tried to explain some things about church discipline and how it is applied. The third step of it was the cutting off or excommunicating from the church. However, it is not final; after repentance and a confession of sins before God and the congregation, it is possible to return. The form prescribed for this can be found immediately following the form of excommunication in our Psalter and is called, “Form of Readmitting Excommunicated Persons.”

It is a wonder when this may take place in the life of a wayward person. Most of the time when such a person is approached on house visitation and the word censure is used, the request is immediately made, “Send me my papers.” It is then forgotten that at the time of confession of faith a promise was made that we would subject ourselves to church discipline should we become delinquent, either by falling or living in sin. Many times, our sins are no longer considered to be sin because we have become so accustomed to the sin which surrounds us. It clearly shows that we have gone with the world very far, and it is to be feared that it will become worse.

In the last days the power of Satan will greatly increase, and this can already be felt throughout the world. Although this article speaks about excommunication, there is the possibility to return. Of the Lord Himself is written that He receives sinners, and this is a great comfort for sinners. God’s people must often excommunicate themselves, but then it is a great wonder that the Lord returns to them and accepts them again. It is only possible because Christ was rejected during the three hours of darkness on Golgotha for the sin of His Church. It was not for the sin which He committed since He was and remained the Holy One. In His life there were neither hidden nor public sins.

Perhaps the difference between a hidden and a public sin ought to be described. A secret sin is one known only to a few people, and therefore it does

not give offence to the church. As an example, two people work together and one of them uses the name of the Lord in vain. This is a terrible sin, for which in the Old Testament a person had to die. It takes place so often in these days that many do not take notice of it, and those guilty of it do not realize what they are doing. We must also give an account of these sins before the Lord. The person who heard this curse should not tell to others what a sinful man his neighbor is and what he has done. No, then he himself is worthy of censure. He must act according to God’s Word in Matthew 18; he should warn his neighbor against this sin, and urge him to repent before the Lord, but it all must remain only between them. If there is a refusal to listen to this warning of love, and the person continues in the sin and does not come to repentance, then he himself makes the sin public. Then other persons will be involved and later also the consistory. In this way a secret sin becomes a public sin. Censure, of course, does not take place only with members but also with respect to ministers, elders, and deacons.

The article of our confession ends—“therefore we admit only of that which tends to nourish and preserve concord, and unity, and to keep all men in obedience to God. For this purpose, excommunication or church discipline is requisite, with the several circumstances belonging to it, according to the Word of God.” How censure is to be applied is clearly described in God’s Word. In Titus 3:10&11 we read, “A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” According to 1 Corinthians 5:2 and 2 Corinthians 2:5&6, excommunication has to be done by the church. It is a cutting off from the kingdom of heaven, but it is conditional; conversion is possible. Calvin writes that the church by excommunication does not bind the person to eternal condemnation, but, unless he returns with confession of guilt for his sinful life, he will be condemned. Smijtegeld says that it is better to die on the stake or scaffold than to be cut off from the church.

The purpose of discipline is as follows: (1) to reconcile the sinner with the church and his neighbor; (2) to take the offence out of the church of Christ, and (3) to sanctify the name of the Lord. From this you can readily understand that discipline does not involve those outside of the church. Those outside will be judged by the Lord. Neither does it include those who are handicapped in mind and therefore not fully responsible for their actions. However, we may not go down the modern paths of worldly justice, which tries to make people not fully responsible for their actions and thus to escape punishment. This should not be.

Discipline extends over all the members of the church, both rich and poor, governors and subjects, emperors and beggars. Ambrose placed Caesar Theodosius under church discipline for his misbehavior, and he was not accepted in the church until after he had lain crying at the door of the church, showing true repentance.

Sometimes it is asked whether baptized members may do confession of guilt, and often this is in respect to the seventh commandment. All those who have trespassed against God’s commandment and have come to the years of discretion are in duty bound to make confession of guilt. They not only may do this, but it is their duty. I do not deny that the confession of guilt for sinning against the seventh commandment is often only a formality. It seems that in these days it is no more regarded as sin, and is even propagated, but in the eyes of the Lord it remains the same; it is sin. Our bodies should be temples of the Holy Spirit. If we felt more of this, we would not sell ourselves so easily to sinful pleasures.

We are all guilty before the Lord, and every day we should make confession of guilt before Him. May the Lord stand up over us as in the days of old so that many would confess their sin before the Lord, supplicating for mercy. Only in the way of repentance will the favor of the Lord be experienced.

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen