Christian Living

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What does it really mean to forgive someone?

●Some Would Argue That A Pastor Is Exempt From Appearing Before The Judicial Authority Of The Church In Regards To Committing Sin Of Any Kind.

CHAPTER 7

SOME WOULD ARGUE THAT A PASTOR IS EXEMPT FROM APPEARING BEFORE THE JUDICIAL AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH IN REGARDS TO COMMITTING SIN OF ANY KIND

There are two schools of thought as to how the sin of a pastor should be addressed. The two schools of thought will determine a churches theology and thus their viewpoint on various doctrinal topics.

When someone is doing a study on any topic there are two ways to utilize the scriptures in order to formulate a viewpoint.

One method is to use the dispensational approach. This idea states that time is divided into eras or dispensations. A dispensation is a period of time in which God relates to human beings in different ways under different biblical covenants. This approach would use the scriptures that are found in the Gospels, the Book of Acts, the Epistles, and the Book of Revelation to formulate a view on any topic as concerning the New Testament believer.
The other method is called the non-dispensational approach. This approach uses all of the scriptures (both the Old and New Testament) to formulate a view on any topic. The non-dispensationalist would say that God’s mindset on any topic has its basis from verses that are found in the Old Testament. Whatever is revealed in the Gospels, the Book of Acts, the Epistles, and the Book of Revelation is to be interpreted according to the Old Testament view on a topic.

The Non-Dispensational View Concerning Addressing The Sin Of A Pastor

The non-dispensationalist would use a verse from Psalm 51 in order to address the sin of a pastor.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight:…

This verse relates to King David, concerning the incident when he committed adultery with a woman named Bathsheba and had her husband, who was one of the commanders of his army, named Uriah, killed. David was guilty of two offenses, adultery and murder, each of which was ascribed the punishment of death according to the Mosaic Law.
Nathan the prophet approached him on behalf of God letting him know that the baby that Bathsheba was carrying, which was his, would die. He also told him that his many wives will be taken away by his neighbor for all Israel to see.
At this point in time King David decides to acknowledge and confess his sins to God. God in turn cancels out the punishment of death that he was due.
In regards to the committing of these two egregious sins, David says to God, against thee, thee only, have I sinned.
According to the non-dispensationalist, if a pastor commits an egregious sin, then it is between him and God alone, and no one else.

Furthermore, all of the other verses in the bible that talk about addressing a pastor’s sins will be interpreted according to this verse that we just looked at in Psalms.
1 Tim 5:19-20 says that an accusation should not be received concerning an elder’s sin by one accuser. The rest of the verse says, but before two or three witnesses. According to the non-dispensationalist what this means is that if someone, who has an accusation against a pastor, tells two or three others about this then they will be rebuked before all.

19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

According to this view, no church member has the right to address the egregious sin of a pastor in any way, shape, or form.

The Dispensational View Concerning Addressing The Sin Of A Pastor

According to the dispensationalist, if the pastor commits an egregious sin, then it is to be addressed as it would be for any other believer in the church.

If I have been injured in character, person, or property by another believer, in this case the pastor, then I should go to him/her privately in order to restore, and not tell another person about the offense. If the pastor admits guilt, then the matter is resolved (forgiven).

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.

If I have been injured in character, person, or property by another believer, in this case the pastor, and he/she refuses to admit guilt,
and there is another eye or ear witness to the offense, then I should go back to the pastor and try to readdress the offense. If he/she admits guilt, then the matter is resolved.

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. MATTHEW 18:15

What if at this juncture the pastor still refuses to acknowledge their offense?

Then bring the matter to those in the church, who have been appointed to address such matters. If at the hearing the pastor admits guilt, then those, who have been appointed to hear such matters may impose a censure. A censure is a declaration of a penalty, which is imposed concerning their offense. This could involve a removal from the fellowship for a fixed period of time. The declaration of which will be presented before the church assembly. In this sense forgiveness is not exercised unto the time allotted for the removal has been fulfilled. This restoration includes the provision that a public decision be made before the entire church informing them that the pastor has been allowed to rejoin the assembly.

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church:
MATT 18:17

But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.2 COR 2:5-6

If at the hearing, there is proof of the pastor’s offense and there is still a refusal to admit wrong, then what?
A censure will be issued that removes the pastor from the assembly indefinitely. In this sense there is no forgiveness.

…but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. (Matt 18:17)

Some might say that according to 1 Tim 5:19-20, an accusation against a pastor cannot occur unless there are at least two or three witnesses. I believe that what is being inferred here is if after the pastor has been approached privately, and then if need be with one or two witnesses, assuming there is no admittance of guilt, then you can make an accusation before those in the church, who have been appointed to hear such matters, as long as there are at least two or three witnesses.

19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

Just one more thing.
This topic is an example of why many people believe that the scriptures contradict themselves.

When scriptures are taken from the Old Testament and are used as the basis for interpreting New Testament verses confusion arises.

Another example of this is that some in leadership believe that based on the Old Testament the leader of a local church is called a priest. During the institution of the Mosaic Law those who served in the tabernacle or temple were the Levites, the priests (sons of Aaron), and the high priest. However, in the New Testament the scriptures reveal that the leaders of the church are called apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; Ephesians 4:11

I don’t want to belabor this point. However, one more example of this, and there are indeed many many more examples which could be presented, is the idea that the New Testament saint should tithe 10% of their income. Tithing was a form of giving for the Jews under the tenets of the Mosaic Law. This was not given to be a mandate for the New Testament believer. If it was, then who determines just how much of the Mosaic Law should be followed? The New Testament believer is to give financially according as they purpose in their heart under the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

If you notice this kind of confusion going on in the church that you are attending then you can assume that their teaching is based on a non-dispensational format.

In the next and final chapter we will conclude this study be looking at another instance in which forgiveness is to implemented.

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