Most of the people I have discussed this theme with usually raise concerns about Church Discipline such as the offending brothers privacy, the congregation handling sins with a self-righteous mentality, not allowing the Holy Spirit to work in a brother or sisters life, the leadership being too firm etc...

Our first concern should be whether or not the practice is scriptural and how the Word of God defines the process.

The following scriptures provide the basis for the conviction and conclusion that Church Discipline should be a properly-ordered and compassionately excercised practice.

• Matt:18:15-17 [15] " Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. [16] "But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' [17] "And if he refuses to hear them, tell [it] to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. ¹⁶ But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ ^{[ a ] 17} And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.
• John:14:2, John14:23 He who has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him. If anyone loves me, he will keep my word.
• 1 John:1:5-6 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
• 1 Timothy:5:20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.
• Titus:3:10Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.
• 1 Corinthians:5:6-7 [6] Your glorying [is] not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? [7] Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven , that you may be a new lump.
• 1 Corinthians:6:5-6 [5] I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? [6] But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers! Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!
• 1 John:1:7-10 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess out sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
• 2 Corinthians:2:6-7 [6] This punishment which [was inflicted] by the majority [is] sufficient for such a man, [7] so that, on the contrary, you [ought] rather to forgive and comfort [him,] lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him.
• Hebrews:12:14-16 [14] Pursue peace with all [people,] and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: [15] looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; [16] lest there [be] any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.
• Hebrews:10:24-25 [24] And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, [25] not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as [is] the manner of some, but exhorting [one another,] and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
• Galatians:6:1-2 [1] Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who [are] spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. [2] Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
• Acts:20:28-31 [28] "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. [29] "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. [30] "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. [31] "Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch….
• Ephesians:5:21submitting to one another in the fear of God. Submitting to one another in the fear of God.
• Philippians 2:3-4 In lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
• Hebrews:13:7Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of [their] conduct., Hebrews:13:17Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you. . . . Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you .
• 1 Corinthians:5:12-13 [12] For what [have] I [to do] with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? [13] But those who are outside God judges. Therefore "put away from yourselves the evil person." For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore "put away from yourselves the evil person."
• 2 Thessalonians:3:6, 2 Thessalonians:3:14-15 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
• Matthew:18:17"And if he refuses to hear them, tell [it] to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.
• 1 Corinthians:5:5deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
• 2 Corinthians:2:6-7 [6] This punishment which [was inflicted] by the majority [is] sufficient for such a man, [7] so that, on the contrary, you [ought] rather to forgive and comfort [him,] lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him.