Should people living in sin be rejected from the church

[Albion]

The congregation I attended in high school never once had communion. At that point it had been in existence for about a decade.

What good does "denying communion" do in such a congregation?

I guess it would not work that way in the church you are referring to, but for 95% of Christendom, it could.

 

[Radagast]

The congregation I attended in high school never once had communion. At that point it had been in existence for about a decade.

What good does "denying communion" do in such a congregation?

"The marks, by which the true Church is known, are these: if the pure doctrine of the gospel is preached therein; if she maintains the pure administration of the sacraments as instituted by Christ; if church discipline is exercised in punishing of sin: in short, if all things are managed according to the pure Word of God, all things contrary thereto rejected, and Jesus Christ acknowledged as the only Head of the Church."

 

[Radagast]

You would think so, but there are instances where the people in question show up mainly to assert their alleged "rights" or their own theory on what God wants the church to do.

I suspect that that would happen mostly in a church that was somewhat equivocal on the sin in question, so that whatever group was in question felt that it already had a foot in the door.

 

[Radagast]

If a person leaves for good, there is usually something else going on driving that than just having to refrain from communion for a while.

"Leaving for good" is something that for most of the Church's history was meaningless. In a Christian country, with one church (be it Latin, Greek, or Aramaic) every baptised person was a member.

You could be denied communion for days or for years, or you could stop attending services, but you couldn't leave.

 

[JacksBratt]

I was in a discussion today and was shocked to hear that some people think that people who are living in sin should not be allowed to attend their church. This truly breaks my heart to hear this. The discussion was using an example of two people who are living together but aren’t married. What are your thoughts?

Oh yes... kick them out.. and the alcoholics, smokers, liars, hypocrites, lazy, backbiters, gossips, gluttons, prideful, drug abusers, those with anger management,

Heck... the church would be empty...even the pastor would have some reason to be tossed..

 

[Knee V]

"Leaving for good" is something that for most of the Church's history was meaningless. In a Christian country, with one church (be it Latin, Greek, or Aramaic) every baptised person was a member.

You could be denied communion for days or for years, or you could stop attending services, but you couldn't leave.

I suppose that "stop attending services" is more or less what I meant by "leave".

 

[Cheylynn]

I was in a discussion today and was shocked to hear that some people think that people who are living in sin should not be allowed to attend their church. This truly breaks my heart to hear this. The discussion was using an example of two people who are living together but aren’t married. What are your thoughts?

I believe the waters get muddied because the 'church' was not meant for unbelievers. Believer's meaning to be those who have the Holy Spirit in them and live to follow the Lord in love and obedience to His ways. So, when you try to treat those who do not have this - it is wrong. They are sinners and need to be told the way of salvation. The body of Christ is NOT to put up with those in the fellowship who continue to live sinful lifestyles after taking the steps that are biblically instituted for such. There is much confusion in today's fellowships - and sadly the catering is to unbelievers - and this is not how we are taught according to scripture. The gathering, or assembling together is for our edification, encouragement and exhortation - as a body of bible believing Christ following people.

 

[dqhall]

I was in a discussion today and was shocked to hear that some people think that people who are living in sin should not be allowed to attend their church. This truly breaks my heart to hear this. The discussion was using an example of two people who are living together but aren’t married. What are your thoughts?

My brother and his wife met at work and were living together for ten years before they were legally married. Am not sure when their marriage began. They are married to this day. They are employed at the same place where they met and carpooled to work together. They own a house together.

 

[HereIStand]

In general, no one should be prevented from attending a service. Exceptions might be if people are being disruptive or there are safety concerns with their attendance.

 

[Man on Fire]

As Christians, we are a Body of Christ. Some are the hands. Some the feet. Some the eyes. Some the mouth. Some are Apostles, some are Prophets, some are Pastors, some are Evangelists and so on. We are a Body of Christ. A Society of Believers.

If your left hand causes you to sin, cut it off? Someone is leading others into sin? They should be cut off? That may be an exile or excommunication?

Jesus Chastises and Rebukes those he loves. In order to chastise and rebuke someone you need standards. This forum has standards right? It has a policy people agree to. Given someone breaks the policy they may be rebuked for it. Given they break the rules enough they may be cut off?

Tolerance for sin and wickedness is not preached in the Bible.

 

[Man on Fire]

Question: Given we are a Body of Christ, and those in sin should be cut off, what should be done about co-habituating couples?

Lets imagine a Presbyterian Church. They have not been keeping the standards. They have become worldly and complacent to sin. Suddenly enacting the standards may be rough?

At one point in time, during the Middle Ages, a marriage was a commitment plus a consummation. Jesus is a priest. He sees everything. A Pastor could announce that all couples living in sin are now married. Congratulations.

Co-habituating is prostitution. It is a non-final relationship in sin outside of marriage. In the book series "Game of Thrones," Tyrion Lannister purchased a long term prostitute. He offered her money, and security, and nice things in return for everything that he may get in a marriage outside of children and a marriage commitment. Women who are "relationship girls" are like Tyrion Lannister's Prostitute. They were not worth marrying in the first place or they would be married? It is a relationship that is degrading to the worth of a woman, and it hurts people's journey in faith and walk with God.

 

[frater_domus]

Kicking sinners out of church would be like kicking seck people ouf of the hospital. They should be encouraged going there, so that they may have a change of heart and repent.

Chronic offenders and disturbers of the peace, that is another issue in itself. Should a person's sins prevent proper conduct, cause others to stumble or do other kinds of damage, then appropriate actions should be taken. However, if said person regrets, apologizes and repents, then he should be welcomed back.

 

[Hawkins]

1 Corinthians 5:11-13 (NIV2011)
But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”


When Paul said this, I believe that it's not about refusing sinners to come to church. It's all about what they will bring sins inside the church. It's more about the legalization of sins inside the church.

1 Corinthians 5:1-2 (NIV2011)
A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. And you are proud!

This is the end effect Paul was talking about. The situation was "legalized" inside the church. To exaggerated the example a little bit, it's always welcome for the inappropriate contentography addicts to come to church to repent or seek help. However it by no means says that we should accept them to host a party inside the church to share inappropriate contentography.

Similarly to homosexuality, we accept any of them to come to seek help and repent. We should refuse to legalize the sin itself inside the church. I believe that's the meaning of,

God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”

 

[GingerBeer]

I was in a discussion today and was shocked to hear that some people think that people who are living in sin should not be allowed to attend their church. This truly breaks my heart to hear this. The discussion was using an example of two people who are living together but aren’t married. What are your thoughts?

Living together need not imply any sinful actions on their part. But if living together means unwed people fornicating in a relationship then is it not right for the church's elders to excommunicate them?

 

[BNR32FAN]

There are different levels of sin. Is what they are doing in ignorance? Or, do they know what they are doing is sin, and they are doing it anyway? The latter, knowing it is sin and doing it anyway... isn't sin anymore, it is rebellion against God. So, I ask you... and I am not suggesting anything, I am simply asking you... if church is where people come to worship God and learn of His ways so that they can grow in their walk with Him... do you believe that one who is openly and willingly in rebellion against God truly worshiping Him?

Why would people come to church to rebel against God? Most people are misled like I was into thinking if you just live a decent life you will get into heaven. Sinners come to church because they want to honor God and many want to change their life. That’s what I did about 5 years ago. I backslid several times but even tho I fell I got back up and kept moving forward letting the word of God work in me and it took some time. If I had been asked to leave the church because I was living in sin I would’ve never gone back to that church. That kind of attitude makes us look bad. Like we are righteous and are better than others who have not yet come to Christ. All of us lived in sin before coming to Christ. The difference between a Christian and a sinner is most often the Christian has simply come to know Christ before the sinner. All sinners have the potential to become Christians. We must give them the opportunity, support, and treatment they need to get well. I’d rather try to help people and fail a million times because even if only one person is saved it was worth the effort.

 

[BNR32FAN]

That would be one empty church because we all sin. lol
Churches are not country clubs and some people act just like the Pharisees and Sadducees still today

Either it would be empty or filled with liars and hypocrites.

 

[Danielwright2311]

That would be one empty church because we all sin. lol
Churches are not country clubs and some people act just like the Pharisees and Sadducees still today

That is so fact, we all sin, even the preachers sin lol, so to say one sin is less then there's is funny.

 

[BNR32FAN]

Indeed. Traditionally, unrepentant sinners were denied communion, but were not forbidden from attending the church or listening to the Gospel.

The practice of "shunning" unrepentant sinners is more of an Anabaptist thing, I believe.

I agree that they must be denied communion until they believe for their own safety.

 

[Ken Rank]

Why would people come to church to rebel against God?

Look, you were the one defending somebody who is living in sin who attends church. I asked a simple question... is that person sinning in ignorance or so they KNOW what they are doing is sin and are doing it anyway? The latter isn't sin, whatever your name is, it is rebellion. KNOWING and WILLFUL sin is rebellion, not sin. My question was, are you defending those who are in rebellion against God here?

 

[Man on Fire]

? Why would people come to church to rebel against God? Most people are misled like I was into thinking if you just live a decent life you will get into heaven. Sinners come to church because they want to honor God and many want to change their life.

Some people are mockers and idolizers. They hate God and they hate Christians. They are "Rules for Radicals" Saul Alinsky's and they come to Church to blaspheme, and work heresies.