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The Westminster Confession of Faith and Larger Catechism
1. As king and head of his church, the Lord Jesus has directed the establishment of church government, separate from civil authority, which is to be administered by officers of the church.[1]
[1] Is 9:6-7, 1 Tm 5:17, 1 Thes 5:12, Acts 20:17,28, Heb 13:7,17,24, 1 Cor 12:28, Mt 28:18-20, Ps 2:6-9, Jn 18:36.
2. To these officers are committed the keys of the kingdom of heaven, which empower them to free people from the guilt of sin or to bind them to it; to close the kingdom of heaven to the unrepentant by the word and condemnation; and to open the kingdom to repentant sinners by the ministry of the gospel and by withdrawing condemnation as the occasion demands.[2]
[2] Mt 16:19, 18:17-18, Jn 20:21-23, 2 Cor 2:6-8.
3. Condemnation by the church is necessary in order to reclaim and regain spiritual brothers who have committed some serious offense; to deter others from committing similar offenses; to purge that leaven which might contaminate the whole lump; to vindicate the honor of Christ and the holy profession of the gospel; and to avoid the wrath of God, which might justly fall on the church, should it allow his covenant and the sacraments to be profaned by notorious and obstinate offenders.[3]
[3] 1 Cor 5, 1 Tm 5:20, Mt 7:6, 1 Tm 1:20, 1 Cor 11:27-34, Jude 23, 2 Sm 12:14.
4. The best way to accomplish these purposes is for the officers of the church to act in accordance with the severity of the offense and the guilt of the offender by warning the offender, excluding him from the sacrament of the Lord's supper for a time, or excommunicating him from the church.[4]
[4] 1 Thes 5:12, 2 Thes 3:6,14-15, 1 Cor 5:4-5,13, Mt 18:17, Ti 3:10.
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