Markdale Baptist Church
  • Home
  • Beliefs
  • Sermons
  • Ministries
  • Calendar
  • VBS 2025
  • About

Drippings from the Honeycomb

 More to be desired are [the rules of the Lord] than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. (Psalm 19:10)

Why We Practice Church Discipline

2/8/2023

 

Introduction

As a church we believe in and practice church discipline (henceforth CD) (Handbook 10.0). This is because we are a believers’ church comprised of members who have made and continue to make a credible profession of faith (Statement of Faith-The Church; Church Covenant; Handbook 7.0). We not only believe in the Gospel but a Gospel order, which includes CD. These are flip sides of the same coin.
[Corrective[1]] Discipline, in a worldly sense, may simply be defined as “the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behaviour, using punishment to correct disobedience” (Oxford). Biblically, the word discipline (paideia) means to train a child to reach maturity.

In Christian theology and ethics all precepts ultimately flow from principles and these from the person of God. A study of CD at the level of precept (especially in our culture) can lead to an emotional knee jerk reactions (intolerance, unaccepting, etc) but understanding the heart of what CD flows from reinforces our understanding and informs our practice.

Person: The Character of God

God is both a God of mercy and justice, grace/love and truth (e.g. Ex 34:6–7; Jn 1:17; 1 Jn 4:12).

It may be said that His discipline is directed against unbelievers in His wrath and wayward believers in His correction. Speaking of the latter Heb 12:7b–12 says:

“God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

God is the perfect disciplinarian.  

Principles from the Bible

A Believer’s Church- A Christian is one who has believed the Gospel and been added to the church through baptism. We can see the believing nature early in Acts, such as Acts 2:41. Unlike the Old Covenant people and many systems of Christianity today that uphold a mixed nature of God’s visible people (i.e. believers and unbelievers), the New Covenant people are a believing community. While it is true false professors creep in and that the Lord knows those who are His, we have an obligation to ensure membership is based upon a credible profession.

Perseverance of the Saints- The Bible teaches that those who are truly the Lord will ultimately not fail in the faith but persevere to the end. This means that the Church holds members accountable in the Lord. Only those who give a credible profession of faith and practice may be counted as part of it. If assurance is persistently and unrepentantly removed, the assurance of membership must likewise be withdrawn.
​
The church is a believing community that is given shape through regenerate membership (baptism and discipline).

Precepts: What the Bible says.

There are a number of related Bible verses/passages that speak to the subject of Church discipline. Some of the most noteworthy are:

I.The Correct Spirit: The Lost Sheep precedes Mt 18; Gal 6:1; Lk 17:3
II.As A General Command: 1 Cor 5:9–13; 2 Thes 3:6
III.A Typical Threefold Process: Mt 18:15–20; Tit 3:10
IV.The Authority to Bind (bring into membership) and Loose (exclude from membership): Mt 16:16; Mt 18:19
V.The Example of the Man Excluded and then Restored because of Incest, 1 Cor 5:1 ; 2 Cor 2:5–11
VI.The Example of the Judgement of Ananias and Sapphira: Acts 5:1–11
​
Those professing believers who persist in unrepentant sin, whether in faith or practice, must be excluded.

Summary

​Ultimately CD is for the glory of God (doing what God has said); the purity of the church (ensuring it remains a believers’ church); the good of the sinner (not allowing them to walk in false assurance) and the fear of the church (a renewed call for us to confirm our calling and election). (See Five Minute Moment, June 13, 2021, here). 
​“Today, many professing Christians see church discipline as unloving, and many church leaders are afraid to practice it for fear of appearing merciless. Yet refusing to apply church discipline in careful obedience to Scripture is the most unloving and merciless thing the church can do. When the church does not call out impenitent people, it gives them false assurance that they are in a state of salvation.” - Ligioner 

A Short Survey of Church Discipline from Church History

The church has tended to oscillate in this area [CD] between extreme severity (disciplining members for the most trivial offences) and extreme laxity (exercising no discipline at all, even for serious offences). John Stott, "The Message of Acts," p. 112.
  1. Many early Fathers speak of a rigorous system of church discipline enforced by Church Elders that involved exclusion, penance and public confession.
  2. In the early through the late Medieval Church, Roman Catholicism developed a complex system of church discipline:
    1. Sacrament of Penance (RCC 1422)
      1. Venial Sins- less serious sins which did not separate one’s communion with God or the Church
      2. Mortal Sins- serious sins that separated oneself from the grace of God until repented of through the appointed means of penance (e.g. something you did to demonstrate your contrition).
    2. Excommunication (to put out of communion, RCC 1463)- for major or minor reasons, which disallowed the Eucharist or participation in the life of the Church
  3. At the Reformation all major Reformers upheld, and Biblically modified, the practice of CD:
    1. Martin Luther wrote widely on CD.
    2. John Calvin (The Institutes 4.12.1–28)
      1. Belgic Confession, 32.
    3. Mennonites (The Ban, Dordrecht Confession, 1632, 16)
    4. Anglicanism, Book of Common Prayer, Canons of 1604
    5. Westminster Confession, 1633, 30.3 & 4 (to which was appended a work on church discipline)
    6. Early Baptists (2nd London Baptist Confession, 1689- 26.7)
      1. Andrew Fuller spoke of CD in his work “The Backslider.”
      2. Upon coming to Broadmead Baptist Bristol, John Ryland practice CD to tidy up the messy church membership lists that had been left to him.
      3. C.H. Spurgeon preached many sermons on CD
    7. John Wesley made CD a part of the success of the spread of Methodism, stating it was “a plain command of God.”
  4. In the 1800s with the rise of theological liberalism came the faulty notion that God alone “is love.” This impacted numerous areas of church life, including belief in regenerate church membership and CD. As a result the practice began to fall into disuse amongst many Protestant churches. For example, many Baptist churches are known to have created “active and inactive” membership lists so they wouldn’t have to be “unloving.”
  5. In the late 20th century and early 21st century many churches have sought o stem the tide of secularism and bring about renewed church health through a rediscovery of Biblical methods such as CD (e.g. 9 Marks). 

Recommended Resources

9 Marks of a Healthy Church (In Library)
Ligonier Ministries
Picture
Picture
Church Discipline
The Process of Discipline
Love Church Discipline
​[1] There is also formative discipline (e.g. training in godliness) and restorative discipline (reconciliation). 

Prayer and Fasting

1/2/2021

 
​Fasting.

What is it? Isn’t it Catholic or something eastern mystics do?

We’ve come acrossed it in our C2C journey through the Bible, most recently in relation to Ezra and Esther. Both these Biblical figures called God’s people to fast.

On Feb 1, 1793 the Republic of France declared war on Great Britain. The dangers of revolutionary France, not least of which was its godlessness and explicit anti-Christian tenor, troubled Europe. So Britain led other European nations in the 1st coalition which sought to contain the spread of this movement.

The trouble was that France was powerful and Britain did not emerge the leading power until 1815; at this point British triumph was not a forgone conclusion. France was a larger country, with more people and a larger military. Only 50 miles separated the two countries. On the other side of the English Channel was a bunch of riled up Frenchmen with guns!

As part of the war effort King George III immediately declared a national fast day for April 19, 1793. The populace was to abstain from food and attend religious services with “Fasting, humiliation, and the imploring of divine intercession” to be the aim of the day. Churches everywhere and of all stripes took up the Kings call, including Baptists.

It is a great tragedy that today no government would do such a thing (for Covid!); instead we seek to lean on our own ingenuity and strength instead of imploring/seeking/fasting.

Numerous Biblical characters fasted:
Moses fasted before receiving the 10 Commandments (Dt 9:9–18); David fasted in repentance and for his child’s life (2 Sam 12:1–23); Elijah fasted when he fled from Jezebel (1 Ki 19:4–8); Esther fast for the safety of the Jews before going to King (Est 4:15–17); Darius fasted or Daniel’s safety when he had been thrown to the lions (Dan 6:18–23); Daniel fasted that God might help him to understand a vision (Dan 10:1–3);  Jesus fasted before His temptation by Satan (Mt 4:1–2); Paul fasted after his conversion (Acts 9:1–9); the early church elders fasted before sending out missionaries (Act 13:1-3); on & on the list goes. It is a great theme of the Bible being mentioned 132 times!

The exemplars of the faith fasted; do we?

Rather than some foreign or optional spiritual discipline, Jesus expected His followers would practice this spiritual discipline of fasting. Speaking of fasting without great fanfare and self-attention, He said:
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Mt 6:16–18
Notice Jesus said, “when you fast;” it was an expectation. What Jesus took issue with was not fasting but why and how people were fasting.

Jesus expects we will pray and fast (in secret, or at least—in the case of a public fast—in humility) and when we do there will be great benefit.
 
At its heart, and why it is associated with prayer, is that it symbolically and spiritually is an act of humility, or entire dependence upon God. It reminds us of our need of Him and working with faith is a something the Lord is pleased to bless (Isa 66:2b).
 
Fasting is not a form of weight loss!
 
However, there are many and a variety of reasons to fast: for protection (Ezra 8); in distress and grief (Jud 20:26); in repentance (1 Sam 7:6, Joel 2:12–13); for spiritual strength: to overcome temptation or to dedicate yourself to God (Mt 4:1–11); to strengthen prayers (Mt 17:21); to encourage love and worship (Lk 2:37); for guidance/ help in important decisions (Acts 14:23); to help build intimacy with God (James 4:8); to develop spiritual self-discipline (1 Cor 9:27).
 
If you have never fasted before, allow me to offer a couple practical considerations:
 
When not to fast? (these are not meant to be excuses)
  1. If you are or have just been very ill; the last thing Jesus would want is for you to harm yourself.
  2. If you are elderly or ill and have, for example, low sugar levels, are wobbly or weak. In such cases, if appropriate, consider a micro fast of missing one meal or maybe having three meals with fewer portions.
  3. Before you undertake great physical exertion (e.g. your job requires you to shovel manure all day or you’re competing in a marathon).
 
How to fast…
  • Know why you are fasting
  • Examine your heart to ensure you  have the right motive
  • Do not boast about your fasting
  • Fasting involves food, still drink lots
  • Consider a micro fast if you have health issues  or a physically demanding job (above).
  • Often a fast will be fore 24 hours where you will skip 3 meals
  • During your fast take times to regularly pray; often it will culimate in a time of prayer and worship (sometimes even followed by a fellowship meal).
  
The spiritual discipline of prayer & fasting have been hallmarks of great and godly Christians and times of great spiritual revival in churches and across nations.

Before crossing the Jordan, Joshua told the people, “consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.”

Spiritual complacency and mediocrity stand in the way of God doing great things among us. It is only when we set ourselves apart to humbly seek His face, intentionally & systematically imploring  the LORD’s favour, that we can reasonably expect the LORD to do great things amongst us!
​
Fasting is of paramount importance to the Christians toolkit to facilitate this great and noble aim.  May the Spirit empower us to rise to this challenge and be obedient to Christ’s words, “when you fast”.

    Featured Blogs

    Learn about Jesus
    Boundaries​
    ​Flag of Our Times
    Forgiveness
    Full Gospel
    Which Meditation
    My View of the Future​
    ​Perseverance 
    ​Saints and Sinners
    ​Satan in Heaven?

    Other Sermons
    ​

    Author:
    Chris Crocker

    Aside from quality family life, ministry, and Christian academia, I delight in many common gifts the Lord has blessed us with. I am a fourth generation beekeeper, an avid outdoorsman, and a lover of adventure. I enjoying running and jogging. I also enjoy travel, carpentry, gardening, music, strategy games, history, geography, and good conversation.

    Archives

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019

    Categories

    All
    Acedia
    Adam
    Age
    Answers
    Apologetics
    Apostacy
    Apostasy
    Armour Of God
    Assurance
    Atonement
    Baptism
    Baptist
    Bible
    Bible Study
    Biblical Theology
    Biography
    Book Recommendation
    Books
    Canada
    Celebration
    Challenges
    Charismatic
    Children
    Christ
    Christian Basics
    Christian Living
    Christ In The Old Testament
    Christmas
    Christ's Return
    Church
    Church Health
    Church Life
    Communication
    Communion
    Community
    Conformity
    Contemporary
    Contentment
    Context
    Contrasts
    Conversation Starter
    Conversion
    Counselling
    Covenant
    Covid
    Creation
    Cross
    Culture
    Darkness
    Death
    Definitions
    Delight
    Devotional
    Dilemmas
    Discernment
    Discipleship
    Doctrine
    Doctrines Of Grace
    Doubt
    Easter
    Elders
    Enjoyment
    Error
    Eschatology
    Ethics
    Evangelism
    Faith
    False Christianity
    False Religion
    False Teachers
    FAQ
    Fasting
    Fear
    Fellowship
    Following
    Forgiveness
    Freedom
    Funerals
    Galatians
    Gathering
    Gender
    Giving
    Glory
    God's Word
    Good Friday
    Good Works
    Gospel
    Government
    Grace
    Grey Gables
    Grief
    Hard Passages
    Heresy
    Hermeneutics
    History
    Holidays
    Holiness
    Holy Spirit
    Hope
    Hospitality
    Humility
    Identity
    Idolatry
    Israel
    Jesus
    Job
    Joy
    Judgement
    Justification
    Knowing God
    Law
    Leadership
    Lecture
    Liberalism
    Licentiousness
    Local Church
    Love
    Love Of God
    Manhood
    Mark
    Marriage
    Means Of Grace
    Membership
    Men
    Men's Breakfast
    Ministry
    Mission
    Missions
    Moral
    Moral Failure
    Moses
    New Age
    New Covenant
    News
    Nominalism
    Obedience
    Objectivity
    Observation
    Old Testament
    Open Letter
    Orthodoxy
    Other Sermons
    Outreach
    Passover
    Paul
    Peace
    Pentecostalism
    Persecution
    Perseverance
    Personal
    Politics
    Polity
    Post-Covid
    Praise
    Prayer
    Preaching
    Presence
    Pride
    Providence
    Public Holidays
    Questions
    Reading The Bible
    Real Christianity
    Recommended
    Reflection
    Reflections
    Reform
    Regeneration
    Relationships
    Relevance
    Religion
    Resurrection
    Revival
    Righteousness
    Sabbath
    Saint
    Salvation
    Sanctification
    Service
    Sexuality
    Sin
    Sinner
    Smallness
    Sovereignty
    Speech
    Spiritual
    Spiritual Disciplines
    Spirituality
    Spiritual Warfare
    Standing Firm
    Statistics
    Stewardship
    Subjectivity
    Submission
    Substances
    Suffering
    Suicide
    Talks
    Testimony
    The Christian Life
    The Cross
    The Lord's Day
    Theology
    Theology 101
    Tithing
    True Faith
    Truth
    Vanity
    Witness
    Word Study
    World Affairs
    Worldliness
    Worship
    You Asked
    Youth

Location

PO Box 73,
144 Lorne Street,
​Markdale N0C 1H0

Join by zoom

Zoom in to our evening gatherings from your computer
Zoom in to our morning or evening gatherings by phone:
​     
Dial: 1 647 374 4685
     Meeting ID: 328 252 3658
     Password: 144 144

Contact us

519.986.4372
​[email protected]

Donate

​Cheque made payable to: 
Markdale Baptist Church
E-transfer sent to: 
​[email protected] 

Sunday gathering Times

​10:00 am in the Upper Hall
6:00 pm in the Lower Hall

“It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.”
​(Ps 92:1–2, A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath)

Pastor's blog & songs

EXPLORE NOW

Picture

Markdale Baptist Church

  • Home
  • Beliefs
  • Sermons
  • Ministries
  • Calendar
  • VBS 2025
  • About