Die Nuwe-Testamentiese fundering van die kerklike tug : 'n kerkregtelike studie

Abstract

The exercise of church discipline, as a mark of the true church, is essential to the being of the church. Hence, the purpose of this study is to investigate t he fundamental principles of church discipline found in the New Testament and to evaluate the relevant articles of the Church Order of "The Reformed Church in South Africa" ("Die Gereformeerde Kerk in Suid-Afrika " ) according to these principles. The method employed is mainly analytical and critical, using the results o f the New Testament exegesis and history of revelation and the Reformed Dogmatics. The findings , in a nutshell, are: The church is the people of the Kingdom of heaven, the new people of the Lord, existing amongst all nations. The local church is fully t he church as i t is revealed locally. Jesus Christ, the Head o f the church and t he absolute Key- bearer, entrusted the keys o f the kingdom of heaven to his apostles a s his fully authorized representatives. It is from this that we derive the disciplinary authority of the church, which is exercised by the assembled elders as a consistory, in collaboration with the congregation. The words "bind" and "lose" (Matthew 16: 19; 18: 18) have the connotations firstly of "prohibit" and "permit" and secondly of "exercise discipline" and "repeal discipline" (cf. John 20: 23 ). It therefore concerns both "potestas docendi" and "potestas disciplinae". The aims of discipline are the glory of God, the welfare of the church and the salvation of the sinner. Church discipline is spiritual by nature and should be exercised in a spirit of love because it i s essentially a manifestation of love. Only members of the church all members without regard to persons are subject to disciplinary action. Discipline extends over doctrine and life; a distinction must be drawn between those who sin secretly and those who sin publicly. In general , it may be said that the Church Order of "The Reformed Church in South Africa" ("Die Gereformeerde Kerk in Suid-Afrika") adheres to the principles of the New Testament regarding church discipline.