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Originally Posted by Evangelical
Concerning offenses between brethren, the bible never really addresses the matter of the offenses being caused by brethren in church leadership.
cf. Matt 18:17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church.
Jesus nowhere addresses the matter of "the church" being the one causing the offense. If we can't tell it to the church, who can we tell it to?
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This is silly. The church does not offend, rather people do, and leaders do.
Paul specifically instructed Timothy how to handle offenses and sins by church leaders:
Quote:
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Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses. Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others. I solemnly command you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus and the highest angels to obey these instructions without taking sides or showing favoritism to anyone.
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Here it is obvious that leaders should be held to higher standards, and because of their public position, their sins should be made public for all to be admonished.