End Time-The Solutions: Church_of_God-Rules-of-Discipline

Definition:

Let us first look at the meaning of the word "discipline" from our table dictionary:

As a noun:
1] Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement.
2] Controlled behavior resulting from disciplinary training; self-control.

3]
a) Control obtained by enforcing compliance or order.
b) A systematic method to obtain obedience: a military discipline.
c) A state of order based on submission to rules and authority: a teacher who demanded discipline in the classroom.

4] Punishment intended to correct or train.
5] A set of rules or methods, as those regulating the practice of a church or monastic order.
6] A branch of knowledge or teaching.

As a verb:
1] To train by instruction and practice, especially to teach self-control to.
2] To teach to obey rules or accept authority. See synonyms at teach.
3] To punish in order to gain control or enforce obedience.
4] To impose order on: needed to discipline their study habits.

From a Bible Dictionary:

Discipline
In the King James Version only in Job_36:10, where it refers to moral discipline, the strenuous cultivation of the righteous life; the Revised Version (British and American) “instruction.” the Revised Version (British and American) in 2 Timothy 1:7 has “discipline” for a Greek word (so¯phronismo´s) meaning “sobering”; in 2 Timothy 3:16 margin, for Greek paidei´a, “instruction.” In classic Greek paideia means “education,” mental culture. Through the influence of the Septuagint, which translates the Hebrew mu¯s?a¯r by paideia, the meaning of “chastisement” accompanies pa?de?a, paideia in the New Testament.

So we see that the word has the meaning of:

1] training
2] control and self-control
3] correction and rebuke
4] building of character
5] submission to rules and authority
6] knowledge and development of knowledge
7] cultivation of righteous life. See How To Instructions in Righteousness

All the quotes and scriptures we consider will be linked directly to one or more of these seven meanings.

Quotes on Discipline:

“Discipline is the refining fire by which talent becomes ability.”

“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.”

“Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines, but it is to the one who endures that the final victory comes.”

“It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through.”

“He that cannot obey, cannot command.” -Ben Franklin

“For every disciplined effort there is a multiple reward.”

“Many of life's circumstances are created by three basic choices: the disciplines you choose to keep, the people you choose to be with; and, the laws you choose to obey”

If I want to be great I have to win the victory over myself... self-discipline.”

We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.”

“Without discipline, there's no life at all.”

“No evil propensity of the human heart is so powerful that it may not be subdued by discipline.”

“Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty.”

“Discipline is wisdom and vice versa.”

Questions and answers from the scriptures:

Did Paul instruct the church in discipline?

1Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

What does God say we are to do when someone brings forth foreign and false doctrines?

2 John 1:9-10
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

Is God a god of discipline?

Job 36:5-12
5 Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.
6 He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.
7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.
8 And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction;
9 Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.
10 He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.
11 If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
12 But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.

Regarding verse 10, let us look at the commentary:

He openeth also their ear - He gives them to understand the reason why they are thus corrected, and commands them to return from those iniquities which have induced him to visit them with afflictions and distresses. ~Adam Clark

He openeth also their ear to discipline - To teaching; or he makes them willing to learn the lessons which their afflictions are designed to teach. ~Barnes Notes

The word "discipline" here is Strong's H4148 and means:

Properly chastisement; figuratively reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint: - bond, chastening ([-eth]), chastisement, check, correction, discipline, doctrine, instruction, rebuke.

Does God teach us the rules of discipline regarding a brother who offends us?

Matthew 18:15-20
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

One of our definitions of "discipline" is warning. Warnings of the future prepare us to be disciplined when the end time unfolds. Did Jesus give us warnings specific to the end time?

John 16:1-4
1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

What is our discipline/teaching on dealing with those bringing doubtful disputations?

Romans 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

How are the strong to deal with the weak?

Romans 15:1-2
1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

What is our instruction regarding those causing divisions contrary to the doctrine of the church?

Romans 16:17-18
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Did Paul speak of bringing a disciplining rod when he came to visit them?

1 Corinthians 4:19, 21
19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

Does Paul chastise them in the same letter?

1 Corinthians 5:1-13
1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

What is our discipline regarding relationships with unbelievers:

2 Corinthians 6:14-15
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

Was Paul ever afraid to use sharp rebuke?

2 Corinthians 13:1-2, 10
1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
2 I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.

What did Paul say to the congregation regarding individuals causing trouble?

Galatians 5:10, 12
10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

When a brother in the faith is overtaken in a fault, what is our instruction?

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

How are we to discipline the unruly in the congregation and just how are we to do it?

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

What is our instruction/discipline regarding the disorderly brother and those who do not obey the Word of God?

2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15
6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Did Paul sometimes have to discipline by disfellowshiping members?

1 Timothy 1:19-20
19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

How about Elder discipline and correction?

1 Timothy 5:1-2, 19-20
1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

What is Paul's instruction regarding those teaching contrary to doctrine and what does God say about these types of people?

1 Timothy 6:3-5
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

What did Paul tell Timothy about invoking discipline?

2Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Is there ever a situation in which the ministry may have to rebuke someone sharply?

Titus 1:9-13
9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

Is the ministry to speak and exhort and rebuke with all authority?

Titus 2:11-15
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

What does this verse 15 mean when it says, "with all authority"? Notice the commentary...

The word “authority” here means command. The sense here is, he was to do it decidedly, without ambiguity, without compromise, and without keeping anything back. He was to state these things not as being advice or counsel, but as the requirement of God.

Therefore we see that this is not about "lording it over you" type of authority but something else entirely.

What are we to do regarding heretics?

Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject.

What is one of the ultimate rules of discipline for all of us?

Revelation 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

The Word of God is full of these rules of discipline for us. We need to be very well disciplined as we journey further into the end time and the Tribulation. We need faith, inner peace and rock-solid wisdom and understanding. All these are part of our discipline.