什么是教会纪律？教会可以惩戒人吗？
What is church discipline? Can the church discipline its members?
简答 Short Answer
教会纪律是教会按照圣经的指导，对持续不悔改的犯罪成员采取的纠正行动。目的不是惩罚，而是爱——帮助犯罪的弟兄姊妹回转，保护教会的纯洁。
Church discipline is corrective action the church takes, following biblical guidelines, toward members in unrepentant sin. Its purpose isn't punishment but love — helping sinning members repent and protecting the church's purity.
详细解答 Detailed Answer
教会纪律是一个常被忽视但圣经明确教导的重要主题。
1.【圣经的教导】耶稣在马太福音18:15-17中给出了清楚的步骤： - 第一步：私下指出对方的罪 - 第二步：如果不听，带一两个见证人去 - 第三步：如果仍不听，告诉教会 - 第四步：如果连教会也不听，就把他看作外邦人和税吏——即从教会团契中除名
2.【纪律的目的】 - 挽回犯罪的弟兄：「你们这属灵的人就当用温柔的心把他挽回过来」（加6:1）。目标不是赶走人，而是让人悔改回转。 - 保护教会：「一点面酵能使全团发起来」（林前5:6）。不处理的罪会像酵一样影响整个教会。 - 维护基督的荣耀：教会是基督的见证，持续容忍公开的罪会玷污基督的名。
3.【什么情况需要纪律？】不是每个罪都需要正式纪律。保罗在哥林多前书5章处理的是公开、严重、且不悔改的罪。关键词是「不悔改」——如果有人犯了罪但真心悔改，教会应当赦免和接纳（林后2:6-8）。
4.【纪律需要智慧和爱】教会纪律不是专制的权力工具，而是牧养关怀的一部分。它需要：清楚的圣经依据、正当的程序、温柔而坚定的态度、始终以恢复为目标。滥用教会纪律是严重的罪，但完全忽视教会纪律同样是不忠于基督的托付。
Church discipline is an important but often neglected biblical teaching.
1. **Biblical instruction**: Jesus gives clear steps in Matthew 18:15-17: - Step 1: Point out the sin privately - Step 2: If unheeded, bring one or two witnesses - Step 3: If still unheeded, tell the church - Step 4: If even the church is ignored, treat the person as an outsider — removal from church fellowship
2. **Purposes**: - Restoring the sinning member: 'You who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness' (Gal 6:1). The goal isn't expulsion but repentance. - Protecting the church: 'A little leaven leavens the whole lump' (1 Cor 5:6). Unaddressed sin spreads like yeast. - Upholding Christ's honor: The church is Christ's witness; tolerating open sin tarnishes His name.
3. **When is discipline needed?** Not every sin requires formal discipline. Paul in 1 Corinthians 5 addresses public, serious, unrepentant sin. The key word is 'unrepentant' — if someone sins but genuinely repents, the church should forgive and restore (2 Cor 2:6-8).
4. **Discipline requires wisdom and love**: Church discipline isn't an authoritarian power tool but part of pastoral care. It requires: clear biblical basis, due process, a gentle yet firm attitude, and restoration as the constant goal. Abusing church discipline is a grave sin, but completely neglecting it is equally unfaithful to Christ's charge.
📖 经文引用 Bible Verses
📚 推荐阅读 Related Readings
- •The Church Discipline (Jonathan Leeman)
- •Nine Marks of a Healthy Church Ch.8 (Mark Dever)