How should a Backslider be readmitted to the church?

By Nick Bibile

Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians 5:25-27 ….Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

Anyone in the church can fall into sin, depending on the sin the elders of the church should discipline the guilty person as the body of the church is called to live a holy life, separated unto God. But today we are living in the days, where there is no church discipline, below is what Jesus said on church discipline.

Matthew 18:15-17  “If your brother or sister sins,  go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’  17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

But how many are following the above rule established by our Lord! Instead of submitting to God’s will the elders of the church follow their feelings and what they think which is centered on man’s suggestions and opinions, regardless of scriptures. So they will allow the guilty person to continue in the church as they do not want to hurt a person by disciplinary actions, also if they lose a member they will lose money as most churches are money centered.

There was a case in the Corinthian church where the son was sexually involved with his father’s wife. See below

1 Corinthian 15:1-2 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this?

Apostle Paul told the church to discipline this man by excommunicating him.

1 Corinthians 5:5 hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.

Apparently later this man repented and his life was changed, then apostle Paul told the church to readmit this man back again to the fellowship. See below.

2 Corinthians 2:6-7

The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. 7 Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. 

The above is the correct way, God’s way and not your feelings. The Bible is the final authority.

If the elders used correct disciplinary actions, the member can find any other church that he or she feels comfortable with and leave the home church for another church as there are many options in finding a church, there are churches every corner, either way there can be ungodliness in both sides. It is not easy to deal with these issues if the church is large as anyone can come, even people who have been excommunicated from other churches and hide in a large church without being noticed.

Smaller churches are better when it comes to accountability as the pastor knows everyone and where they live and what they do, it’s easy to handle a smaller church than a larger church, but even the smaller churches wants to become big as the more money they will receive if the church is large, again it’s money centered. The correct thing to do is if the church is getting larger, you need to have cell groups within the church, where you can appoint leaders and these leaders will know who is attending, where they live and what they do and there is a greater accountability. Then on Sunday, all can attend the main service.

The early church were careful whom they admitted into fellowship, every Christian who sinned was only readmitted into fellowship by open repentance. This should be the correct way to go.

Galatians 5:1-2 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.