Restoration after discipline
Historic orthodoxy
The church's receiving back, with forgiveness and comfort, a person who repents after being corrected or disciplined.
Also called: restored to fellowship, restoration process, path to restoration
What it means
Discipline is never an end in itself. Its goal is to win the brother back. When the man disciplined at Corinth repented, Paul urged the church to forgive and comfort him and reaffirm their love, so that he would not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow and Satan would gain no advantage. Those who restore someone caught in sin are to do it gently, watching themselves.
A defined path to restoration tells everyone involved what repentance looks like, who will walk with the person, and how the church will receive them back. For members this usually means a meeting with the elders and a public word to the congregation. For an officer, being restored to fellowship is distinct from being restored to office, which requires that he again meet the qualifications.
A church that disciplines without a path back can become harsh; a church that restores without real repentance can become careless. The site notes whether a church has thought this through.
In Scripture
The punishment was sufficient; now forgive, comfort, and reaffirm your love for him.
Forgiveness keeps Satan from outwitting the church.
The spiritual restore one caught in sin gently, watching themselves.
Even the one disciplined is not an enemy, but is admonished as a brother.
Whoever turns a sinner from his error saves his soul and covers many sins.
Where it comes up
On this site: Church discipline
Related terms
Church disciplineHistoric orthodoxy
The church's loving correction of members and officers who persist in serious sin or false teaching, aimed at their repentance, the purity of the church, and the honour of Christ.