Matthew 18:15

It says if a brother, I would think it would. That said though many here don't seem to care if they offend

 

Have you ever tried to bring a brother who is not a member of your own church before your church and ask them to give an account before your church - v. 17?????

 

A church is the organization of members that agree upon the principles laid out in the statements of faith and practice of that body. When that body gathers and there are two or more that are believers, the promise of Christ is that He is in their midst.

As it applies to the BB, there is a gathering on the forums allowed by agreement to the statements and principles laid out of the faith and practice of the members. As such, when two or more gather to this place, it is important to understand Christ is in the midst.

Just as He was while walking with the disciples, He would have heard all manner of discussions and arguments and at times would engage with them in teachable moments. There are times when on the BB teachable moments do arise and edification can be found through the Scriptures and the practical application of them.

So, yes, even on the BB, there is time when one perhaps should approach a brother both in private and then dependent upon the circumstances, even take it to the body of moderators and administrators for a judgment upon the situation.

However, because this is a "semi-public" place, that is the public can sit in silence and look at what is going on, it is not for the public consumption to sniff at the "air of dirty laundry." Meaning, why would anyone hang out dirty clothes? Wash up, clean up, then in the public domain come cleansed to "air out" the solution.

 

Here is a similar scripture:

Matthew 5
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Here we see a principle while still under the law of Moses (gift before the altar) yet it seems that God puts some one else before Himself - your brother, else you can not offer your gift to God.

IMO this principle overrides any age: - law, church...

Personally I believe this to be the number one downfall of the church in terms of human responsibility.

However, if we obey this principle then we are indeed putting God first.

John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.


HankD

 

Excellent topic Rolfe.

I think face to face, person to person relationships are in view. Posters have no relationship with each other, and frequently disrespect one another. Thus we cannot even discuss our different understandings of the teachings of Christ, let alone our different understandings of how we are to treat those who profess being born anew.

Certainly, no one should consider their involvement with this board as some sort of electronic fellowship.

 

Sure we can Van, its called efellowship.

 

I tend to view the principle as a principle for life.

If I have a grievance with a non-believing acquaintance, I try to go to that person and resolve it between us. If it remains a problem, I ask a witness or two to join in the conversation and act as mediators. If it remains an issue, then I take it to my work supervisor (before the church), or whatever group leader applies to the situation.

And by showing that I'm following biblical principles, it makes for an opportunity to discuss other things in scripture -- like the passages presented in this thread.

Sadly enough, I've come across too many church members who, when telling me their problems with someone else, immediately back away when I offer to go with them to discuss it with that person. Same with the non-believers. Makes my life simpler, though; people stop coming to me and talking about others. <grin>

 

I saw Don's post here and felt the need to point out that Don is not giving an opinion from a lofty tower, but is one who has tried to do this on more than one occasion that I know of here in this fellowship. He has enlisted me - not exactly one of his buddies, nor a faithful opponent - on occasion to act as a check on his perceptions and provide assistance in reconciling with others.

It is commendable, and an example worth emulating.