What have important people in church history had to say about church discipline?
· John Calvin, “Hence as the saving doctrine of Christ is the life of the Church, so discipline is, as it were, its sinews; for to it is owing that the members of the body adhere together, each in its own place. Wherefore, all who either wish that discipline were abolished, or who impede the restoration of it, whether they do this of design or through thoughtlessness, certainly aim at the complete devastation of the Church” (Institutes IV.xii 1). · John Calvin: “Those who think that the church can stand for long without this bond of discipline are mistaken; unless by chance we can afford to omit that support which the Lord foresaw would be necessary for us” (Institutes IV.xii 4). · Charles Finney: “If you see your neighbor sin, and you pass by and neglect to reprove him, it is just as cruel as if you should see his house on fire, and pass by and not warn him of it.” [JCL, p. 358.] · John Wesley: “I was more convinced than ever, that the preaching like an apostle, without joining togeth
· John Calvin, “Hence as the saving doctrine of Christ is the life of the Church, so discipline is, as it were, its sinews; for to it is owing that the members of the body adhere together, each in its own place. Wherefore, all who either wish that discipline were abolished, or who impede the restoration of it, whether they do this of design or through thoughtlessness, certainly aim at the complete devastation of the Church” (Institutes IV.xii 1). · John Calvin: “Those who think that the church can stand for long without this bond of discipline are mistaken; unless by chance we can afford to omit that support which the Lord foresaw would be necessary for us” (Institutes IV.xii 4). · Charles Finney: “If you see your neighbor sin, and you pass by and neglect to reprove him, it is just as cruel as if you should see his house on fire, and pass by and not warn him of it.” [JCL, p. 358.] · John Wesley: “I was more convinced than ever, that the preaching like an apostle, without joining togeth
