BCO 28.4

28.4. 27-4

27-4. The power which Christ has given the Church is for building up, and not for destruction. It is to be exercised as under a dispensation of mercy and not of wrath. As in the preaching of the Word the wicked are doctrinally separated from the good, so by discipline the Church authoritatively separates between the holy and the profane. In this it acts the part of a tender mother, correcting her children for their good, that every one of them may be presented faultless in the day of the Lord Jesus. Discipline is systematic training under the authority of God’s Scripture. No communing or non-communing member of the Church should be allowed to stray from the Scripture’s discipline. Therefore, teaching elders must: a. instruct the officers in discipline, b. instruct the congregation in discipline, c. jointly practice it in the context of the congregation and church courts.

For discussion

1. Put this answer in your own words, then say what it rules out — what belief is it written against?