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Withdrawal of Fellowship
Vol. 23, No. 5 — May 2021
Page
8
What should a congregation do with a sexually immoral member who refuses to repent? The church should “deliver such a one to Satan” (1 Corinthians 5:5). In other words, the local congregation must “purge out the old leaven” (1 Corinthians 5:7). To state it another way, the church must not “keep company with sexually immoral members” (1 Corinthians 5:9). Do these commands apply to publicly known sins other than sexual immorality? Here is what Paul said. “But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner — not even to eat with such a person” (1 Corinthians 5:11). What should a congregation do with those brethren who cause division with false doctrine? Paul said, “note them” and “avoid them” (Romans 16:17-18). The Book of Titus says, “reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition” (Titus 3:10). What should a congregation do with fellow Christians who are living for Satan instead of for Jesus? Paul told the church at Thessalonica to warn them (1 Thessalonians 5:14). If they refuse to repent and continue to “walk disorderly,’’ what should a church do? Read Paul’s words in 2 Thessalonians 3:6. “But we command you, brethren, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother that walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.” Later in the same