1 Cor. 6

[ardmore]

Suppose in the church, a brother raped a sister long time ago. Now they have an argument. One said it was not rape, it was adultery. But the other(lady) denied it, she said it was rape.

Should the issue go to court or just inside the church?
When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints?

 

[St_Worm2]

Should the issue go to court or just inside the church? When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints?

St. Peter and St. Paul have this to say in answer to your question:

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 1 Peter 2:13-14

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Romans 13:1-4​

Human governments are established by God for the common good. As you just read, we are to be in subjection to the laws of men (unless they violate the laws of God, of course).

A rape is both a sin and a violation of both the law of God and the law of men. As such, both "courts" must be involved as the church alone cannot effectively punish the wrongdoer for such a crime, nor can it protect society from further acts of violence by the rapist (churches don't have jail cells .. anymore).

Yours and His,
David

 

[football5680]

If this were still the age of Christendom where the state and Church were united then the problem could be handled within the Church because the Church would have the power to carry out the law. Today only the state has this power so you would have to go through the state. If you can solve a problem between two Christians within the Church then this would be the best route but this would not apply with rape. Rape is a criminal offense and the Church does not have the power to enact punishment if somebody is guilty.