Musing through Matthew Restoring The Offender Matthew 18: 15-17

Let us muse again today from Matthew 18: 15 – 17 and the theme of Jesus the King. In our text to day we find the formula for restoring the offender. The formula is called by most church discipline. It is a lost art in most Baptist churches and is greatly needed to be brought back to the forefront. In verse 15 if one is offended he must go alone to the offender and humbly present his case. In verse 16 if they Fail to hear your single appeal, take two or more with you for a second appeal. It may be they will hear you if there is more than one that knows of their offense. In verse 17 if he will not hear the two or more bring it publicly before the church. If he fails to hear the church let him be put out and considered an unbeliever. In First Corinthians 5: 5 PAUL puts it in much harsher terms. Let them be turned over to the devil for the destruction of the body that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. If the church would get back to this practice I wonder if more would think twice before being an offense to any.