Is there a scriptural basis for making people publically repent for certain sins?

There is obviously a lot of room for debate on this issue. We all have our opinions and interpretations of the various scriptures that have been quoted.

My opinion that private confession is adequate is based on an experience I had when two of my staff members became involved in an improper relationship. Against my better judgment, after the dust settled I asked them to make a public apology to the church. They did. Up until then, the matter had been handled between the offending parties, me, and the chairman of the deacons. I should have left it at that.

The public apologies started a firestorm of gossip, criticism, and speculation about "what really happened." Sides were chosen, and I lost several good families. It took two years to put out the last of the embers.

Even in the best of churches, peace and harmony are fragile. I made a huge mistake in judgment that left the church limping for two years. I do not plan to make the same mistake again.

 

At one time, the Assistant Pastor (who was conducting the choir) and
I got into an argument about a musical point. It was out of view, but the
entire womens ensemble could hear us as we yelled at each other due to
the thinness of the walls.

When we apologized to each other, then we both apologized to the ladies in the group also because they were affected and our testimony was tarnished. The air was cleared, and no matter how embarrassing it was, it felt so good when it was all over. No one remembers it years later.

Debbie Mc

 

If the sin is publically known it needs to be publically repented and confessed. If it is not known publically and after going to them in private they repent it should stay private.


1Ti 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

 

I was going to say something like Revmitchell, only if it's a public sin.

 

15"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 18"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."