By apostolic authority, Paul wrote, “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” (2 Thess. 3:6). How many congregations today take this command seriously? How many actually practice it consistently? In this series of articles, let us look at the application of this command.

While the command to withdraw must be obeyed by all congregations of the Lord regardless of their culture and place in history, the anticipated effectiveness of this policy at Thessalonica is interesting to notice. In first-century Thessalonica, a distinctive feature of Christianity was its radical sense of community. Today’s church should strive to have this same sense of community. Disorderly members at Thessalonica from whom fellowship was withdrawn would sense an immediate threat to their own sense of belonging. They exchanged the loyalty to their own flesh and blood for a commitment to this spiritual family, the church. They would think twice about turning their back on their church family for it was the only sort of family they had. Sadly, the church in America in our day frequently does not possess this sort of close-knit fellowship. A lack of fellowship does not render withdrawal inappropriate, but it may make it ineffective. Perfect fellowship is not a prerequisite for carrying out the command of 2 Thessalonians 3:6. Fellowship was not perfect at Thessalonica, but withdrawal was still commanded. However, the better the fellowship, the more likely an erring individual will be swayed by withdrawal. The blessings of a strong sense of community are manifold, one of which is the desperation felt by him from whom the Christian community withdraws, a desperation that will hopefully drive him back to the Lord’s way and the Lord’s people.

Church discipline is rarely convenient, but it is the Lord’s directive. Withdrawal of fellowship is the last step of church discipline. In his prev

ious epistle, Paul commanded the Thessalonians to work (1 Thess. 4:11) and to warn the unruly who were not working (1 Thess. 5:14). Apparently, some continued to be unruly, that is, to walk disorderly and sponge off others for their necessities even after they had been reprimanded. So, in this second letter, he gives more attention to this problem. When verbal discipline will not turn one to the right way, a final step of withdrawal is then commanded by the Lord (Mt. 18:17). Paul, with apostolic authority, commanded Christians to do this “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 3:6-12).

This command is sometimes called “the forgotten command” among churches of Christ. While it might have been abused in bygone years, it is rarely practiced today. Some elders are afraid to implement it because they have seen withdrawal letters posted to social media and the backlash that has followed when other congregations have attempted to practice it. Another concern that has gripped the church is the legal ramifications that may come from implementing this divine injunction. Yet, fear of backlash does not give grounds for disregarding this command. The bottom line is, when it comes to carrying out this command, (or any of our Lord’s commands for that matter), we should look up to God, rather than looking around to see which way the wind is blowing. Next week, we will consider how carrying out this command is a salvation issue.

Everyone places their confidence in something or someone. Some put their confidence in their knowledge or abilities. Others put their confidence in money. Some place their confidence in their popularity and social connections. Sadly, even in the church, some put their confidence in the aforementioned or in a certain leader or preacher. However, as Christians we should place our confidence in the Lord.

Paul wrote: “For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,” (Phil. 3:3). The context seems to indicate that the flesh here refers to human credentials. Paul’s former life in Judaism emphasized the flesh. He went on to write, “though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless” (Phil. 3:4-6). He had all the accolades of the Old Testament Jewish religious system. If it were a matter of boasting in achievements and pedigree, Paul had the credentials to stand above others.

However, Paul recognized all those as worthless before God.  He went on to write: “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith” (Phil. 3:7-9). What of the family you were born into, your knowledge, skill, and achievements? They cannot deliver you from sin. Family, knowledge, skills, and money cannot redeem the soul; only the precious blood of Christ can (1 Pet. 1:17-19). After stating this, 1 Peter 1:21 goes on to say, “who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.” For our faith and hope to be in God is another way of saying our confidence is in Him.

When we stand before God on the day of judgment, the only confidence we can trust in is that we are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus told Nicodemus, who had a stellar résumé in Judaism, that he must be born again of water and Spirit, completely made anew and regenerated to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3-5; cf. Titus 3:5). Water baptism washes one’s sins away and places one into Christ to be covered by His precious blood (Acts 22:16; Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:27; 1 Pet. 3:21).

We live righteous lives before God as a response to the love and grace He has shown us (Titus 2:11-14). Our faith is manifested in good works, but our confidence before God is not our own achievements by which we may boast (Eph. 2:8-10). Are you confident in your salvation through Jesus Christ? Will you be found in Him?

Jesus built the church (Matthew 16:18). He is the head over it (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18). The church is to be organized according to His will, the New Testament, ratified by His blood (Hebrews 9:15-18). Jesus shed His blood for the church, so it must be precious; it must matter to Him (Acts 20:28). This is the point Paul made to the overseers of the church at Ephesus so that they would follow his example in caring for the church with all the effort they could muster since people from within the church would try to lead people away from the Lord’s precepts (Acts 20:17-32).

Today many churches exist with differing doctrines, headquarters, and hierarchies. However, when we consult the New Testament, we find that a plurality of men possessing certain godly qualities supervised the local congregation among which they labored (Acts 14:23; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). No example exists in the New Testament of an archbishop who ruled over multiple congregations, legislating from afar what individuals in various regions were to teach and practice. God delivered once and for all the entirety of truth we are to follow today through the apostles in the first century (John 16:13; Jude 3). Elders labor among their local congregation, set an example to their flock, and by their authority enforce only that which is in harmony with the Bible, the revealed will of God (Acts 20:28, 32; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Hebrews 13:7).

No committee has the right to veto or overturn what God has clearly revealed in His word. Many man-made hierarchies found throughout the religious world have often plagued their adherents spiritually by usurping Christ and legislating where they have no authority. Let us beware of such departures from the genuine faith to the doctrines and commandments of men (Mark 7:1-13; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; Colossians 2:22). Let us abandon any form of church government that has no basis in Scripture.

Within the boundaries of God’s word, we must remember admonitions given to those in leadership positions and the souls entrusted to their care. Elders, remember that you are stewards of souls which belong to God (Titus 1:7). Remember what Peter wrote:

The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. (1 Peter 5:1-4.)

Those of us who are members of flock should remember the injunction of Hebrews 13:17, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Remember Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-16), and we are all trying to help one another obey Him (Hebrews 5:9).