Let us continue to prayerfully search the Scriptures on this subject of withdrawing fellowship and allow the Word of God to do the teaching and to answer our questions.
Who gave the church the right to do this? Some have asked, “Who gave the elders the right to judge someone else? Who gave you authority to withdraw your fellowship from another Christian?”
First, we must understand that this is not based on any man-made authority! It was not the Corinthian church’s idea to deliver that brother unto Satan. Paul wrote, “There is…among you…And you are puffed up…[You] have not rather mourned…Your glorying is not good. Do you not know…?” (1 Cor. 5:1-2, 6). If the church in Corinth had it there way, they would have done nothing, because they were doing nothing! Withdrawing fellowship is not something man devised!
The authority for this practice comes directly from heaven! Look very carefully how many times God answers the question, “Who gave the church the right to do this?” God said, “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 5:4). (Compare these same words being used in Acts 4:7, 10.) Referring to this command, Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians, “I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things” (2:9). He then stated that his actions had been done “in the presence of Christ” (2:10). The same emphasis is found to the Thessalonians: “We command you…in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 3:6, 12). The standard was not personal opinions but “the traditions” they were taught in the “word” of the Lord (2:15; 3:14). This is God’s plan!
The church who withdraws from those walking disorderly is following the lead of Jesus! Jesus Himself has withdrawn from (given over, cf. Rom. 1:24-28) the one walking disorderly to deliver that one to Satan (1 Cor. 5:4). In the context of dealing with a unrepentant brother, Jesus said, “If he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector…For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:17, 20). It is not the elders alone who are to submit to this authority and take this action, but the whole church (cf. “gathered together,” 1 Cor. 5:4). The One who leads in this judgment commands us to “judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24; using His “word” as the standard, 2 Thess. 3:14).
Will the church submit to His authority? (more next week)