Book Of Church Order

Front 1

What is the nature of the power of discipline given to the church by Jesus Christ?

Back 1

The nature of the power of discipline Christ has given the Church is for building up and is to be exercised in mercy.

Front 2

What two kinds of power are there in the church?

Back 2

1) Spiritual, moral; 2) Judicial

Front 3

Why is discipline important in the life of the church and what is its objective?

Back 3

Discipline in the Church is designed to instruct and guide its members and to promote purity and welfare.

Front 4

What is meant by purity in the church?

Back 4

Purity of doctrine and purity and holiness in the life of the members of the Church.

Front 5

What is meant by the peace of the church?

Back 5

Peace in the Church has to do with living amiably in a proper moral and spiritual relationship with one another as a good testimony to God's of grace.

Front 6

What is meant by the unity of the church?

Back 6

Unity demonstrated by the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit is indication that we are disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. (John 17)

Front 7

What is meant by "being in subjection to the brethren"?

Back 7

Being in subjection to the brethren means basically that one has a teachable spirit and will heed the scriptural admonitions and encouragements of brothers in Christ in a spirit of humility. It is a mutual relationship among the brethren. It does not mean "lording over another"

Front 8

What is the scriptural procedure of discipline in the church?

Back 8

Scriptural procedure of discipline:
A. Instruction in the Word, and the individual's responsibility to admonish one another (Matthew 18:15; Galatians 6:1)
B. If the admonition is rejected, then one or more witnesses must be called (Matthew 18:16)
C. If rejection persists, then the Church must act through her court unto admonition, suspension, excommunication, and deposition (in proper order)

Proper usage of discipline maintains the glory of God, the purity of his Church and the keeping and reclaiming of the disobedient.

Front 9

What are the forms of a church censure?

Back 9

Forms of a church censure:
A. Admonition- the formal reproof of an offender by a Church court warning him of his guilt and danger, and exhorting him to be more circumspect an watchful in the future.

B. Suspension-with respect to Church members, is the temporary exclusion from the sealing ordinances.
1) Definite suspension is administered when credit of religion, the honor of Christ, and the good of the delinquent demand it, even though he may have given satisfaction to the court.
2) Indefinite suspension is the exclusion of the offender from sealing ordinances, or from his office, until he exhibits signs of repentance, or until, by his conduct, the necessity of the highest censure be made manifest.

C. Excommunication-is the excision of an offender from the communion of the Church. This censure is to be inflicted only on account of gross crime or heresy and when the offender shows himself incorrigible and contumacious. The design of this censure is to operate on the offender as a means of reclaiming him, to deliver the Church from the scandal of his offense, and to inspire all with fear by the example of his discipline.

D. Deposition-is the degradation of an officer from his office, and may or may not be accomplished with the infliction of other censure.