In the New Testament we are told:
- 1 Timothy 5:20 (NIV) 20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning.
- 1 Timothy 5:20 (KJV) 20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
- 1 Timothy 5:20 (NET Bible) 20 Those guilty of sin must be rebuked before all, as a warning to the rest.
As "delegated authorities" or "deputy authorities" were not given a free pass in the Old Testament, neither are they given a free pass in the New Testament. The difference being, in the Old Testament, God dealt with Moses and Aaron personally. In the New Testament that responsibility is given to the church to deal with a sinning brother. 1 Tim. 5:20 doesn't say to rebuke those who sin...except for elders.
Tell it to the Church
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
Who is the Church?
The Bible tells us to practice conflict resolution, but it doesn't tell us exactly how to do it.
Believers seem to believe that "tell it to the church" means "tell it to the elders" or to the church leadership. What if the sinning brother is an elder? This would seem to present a dilemma. Would you expect a fair hearing from elders who have offended the membership?
Where does it say in the Bible that "tell it to the church" means definitively "tell it to the elders"? Are we not all members of the church, the Lord's Body?
Are we then free to tell all Christians? Technically, probably, yes. Should we? I don't think so. Then, who do we "tell"?
Logically, those church members who have knowledge of the situation, love for the brothers in question, and are in a position to "hear" would be the best church audience to hear a matter of grievance brought against an elder. In a Local Church locality, all regular attendees of meetings would be in a position to "hear" a grievance against an elder.
Nell