Last time, in Part 4, saw how how the Body of Christ began with predominately home fellowships, with more public meetings whenever a large venue was available. Over time, practices have changed to the traditional model that somewhat followed the early synagogue model. Congregations or larger organizations own the buildings they meet in and each congregation likely has a full-time pastor who is paid by the congregation or the larger organization.
However, many congregations today might not own their building. Often the pastor does, or his non-profit organization does. Many pastors today "own" their church buildings, parsonage, and vehicles through through their organizations, as a tax dodge. No wonder so many ministers have fallen. If they get away with financial shenanigans, then they could easily think they could get get away with other misdeeds.
Because of these changes, the process of restoring fallen believers, ministers included, has gotten more complicated. How so? The involvement of government in church business affairs. That is why Part 4, ended with the beginning passage of Romans 13.
Remember, some offences are sins, some are crimes, some are both. Not all sins are crimes, and not all crimes are sins.
So, if a believer, even if is he or she is a minister, offends another person and that offense is a crime, whether or not it is also a sin, one rule applies before any other rule. I cannot emphasize this enough:
Call the police!
Why? Because the police are trained and equipped to investigate crimes. Most congregation members, ministers, or staff may have some training in this, but it is likely not to be enough to discover the true facts of the case.
Now, I am aware that not all law enforcement officers are competent, and some are corrupt. Some ministers curry favor with local law enforcement agencies, so an investigation could be biased in favor of the offender. In a situation like that, go to a higher agency, such as the county, state, or federal level.
Is this Scriptural? Doesn't Paul warn believers not to drag one another into court? Yes, but he was talking about civil lawsuits, not criminal cases. Peter does speak about criminal behavior:
1st Peter 4: 12 - 19 NASB95
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER?
Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
Peter wrote this letter to believers who were facing persecution from the government. The first persecution that early disciples faced came from the Jewish religious authorities, but the Roman government came to place their own pressure on the believers. No matter where the persecution came from, he uses legal terminology to describe it.
So, obviously, whenever someone commits an offense, if it is just a sin, then the Body of Christ can deal with it internally. But, if the offense is a crime, then the proper authorities need to be called first. Let the police and the courts deal with the crime, and disciples handle the sin.
Still more to come...
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