Baptist "Pastor"
Wants Discipline

The AgapePress recently reported that a Baptist “pastor” in Florida wants the Southern Baptist Convention to accurately count its membership.  The SBC claims 16 million members, but the article stated only about 32 percent actually attend services in a given week.  It went on to say,

… he is adamant that church discipline is needed throughout the denomination.

The Book of James warns Christians not to be deceived as those who only hear the Word of God but do not put its precepts into practice, Ascol points out. He says the words of Jesus “could not be simpler or clearer in Matthew, Chapter 18, verses 15-18, where He tells us the steps of church discipline; yet you probably couldn't find one in a thousand of Southern Baptist churches right now that are intentionally and conscientiously, regularly practicing church discipline.”

At his own church, Ascol notes, elders interview prospective members and also require their attendance in a new members class. He suggests that measures like these are necessary for church discipline and need to be taken in order to ensure integrity in Christian church membership.

A few observations are in order.

1. The Baptist “pastor” can see what some Christians cannot see; namely that church discipline is needed.  The Bible teaches that local churches are to regulate their membership.  It is required to examine those who want to be members (Acts 9:26-28; 20:28-32).  It is also required to disfellowship those who are wayward and impenitent (1 Cor. 5:1-5; 2 Thes. 3:1-14).  Both of these actions help keep a congregation pure.

2. The Baptist “pastor” has a doctrinal conflict.  He says he wants churches to practice discipline, but does not believe God does.  In other words, he expects churches to follow the New Testament teaching of kicking out sinners.  Yet, he does not believe God will bar any “believer” from heaven, regardless of the sins they have committed—the doctrine of once saved always saved.  If God will not discipline His erring children, then why should churches?  Also, this puts the Baptist “pastor” in a pickle of saying that a Baptist believer who sins is not good enough for the Baptist church, but is perfectly fit for heaven.

I will build My church.
- Matthew 16:18

Answering Religious Error
By John Isaac Edwards