Responsibility of a Believer in the Local Church
Matthew 18:15-22
2026 04 19
Matthew 18:15–20
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. 18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
“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. 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.' 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.” [cite: 1]
“Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” [cite: 2]
“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” [cite: 3]
Responsible to the:
- Purity of the Local Church [cite: 4]
- Authority of the Local Church [cite: 4]
- Biblical examples [cite: 4]
Unbiblical
- Episcopalianism (Catholic, Orthodox, Jacobite) [cite: 4]
- Presbyterianism (CSI/Methodist/AG) [cite: 4]
Biblical
- Congregationalism (Brethren, Baptist, LC) [cite: 4]
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.” [cite: 4]
Jesus expects a local church to be pure, hence, every believer: [cite: 4]
- Needs to take sin seriously [cite: 4]
- Do not Tolerate [cite: 4]
- Do not Ignore [cite: 4]
- Do not be passive [cite: 4]
- Purity of my church should be my concern [cite: 4]
15 “Moreover if your brother sins [against you], go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. [cite: 5] If he hears you, you have gained your brother.” [cite: 6]
Jesus expects a local church to be pure, hence, every believer needs to Confront Sin: [cite: 6]
- Not for vengeance [cite: 6]
- Not for legalism [cite: 6]
- Motive is to Restore the brother [cite: 6]
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.” [cite: 6]
Jesus expects a local church to be pure, hence, every believer needs to be Correct: [cite: 6]
- Not sinless perfection [cite: 6]
- Not hypocrite [cite: 6]
- Strives to maintain Personal Purity [cite: 6]
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.” [cite: 7]
16 But if he will not hear... [cite: 8]
A believer has authority: [cite: 8]
- To discern the sin [cite: 8]
- To confront the sin [cite: 8]
- To restore a brother [cite: 8]
- One another [cite: 8]
- To love [cite: 8]
- To encourage [cite: 8]
- To admonish [cite: 8]
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.' [cite: 8]
A group of believers has authority: [cite: 8]
- To discern the sin [cite: 8]
- To confront the sin [cite: 8]
- To restore a brother [cite: 8]
Both has responsibility to submit to the wisdom of 2-3. [cite: 8]
Note: Leadership not explicitly mentioned, but implied. [cite: 8]
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. [cite: 9]
18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” [cite: 10]
The Church has highest authority on the earth: [cite: 10]
- To deal with sin [cite: 10]
- Believers needs to be subjected to the decision of the church [cite: 10]
Note: Submission - not to Leadership. But, leadership help the church to exercise its authority biblically. [cite: 10]
1 Cor. 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 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. [cite: 11]
All the epistles are to the church (except 4). [cite: 11]
I Cor 5: [cite: 11]
- Church is rebuked [cite: 11]
- Church needs to take action [cite: 11]
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; [cite: 11]
- Royal Priesthood of all believers [cite: 11]
- Priesthood - Responsibility [cite: 11]
- Royal – Authority [cite: 11]
- Teach the church [cite: 11]
- Guides the church [cite: 11]
- Ensures the church functions biblically [cite: 11]
Purity of the Local Church [cite: 11]
- Concern [cite: 11]
- Confront [cite: 11]
- Correction [cite: 11]
Note: Goal - Restoration [cite: 11]
Authority of the Local Church [cite: 11]
- Individual [cite: 11]
- Group [cite: 11]
- Church [cite: 11]
Note: Leadership - Help the church [cite: 12]
Compiled by tfrdn7@gmail.com on 2026-04-19 06:56 for the glory of the Lord