Causes of Discord in the Church
By
Benjamin Keach (1640-1704)
By
Benjamin Keach (1640-1704)
The following are causes of church disunity and disorder. They are to be prevented and corrected in each true gospel church.
1. One cause of discord is through the ignorance in some members of the rules of discipline and right government, particularly when that rule in Matthew 18 is not followed (v. 15). Instead, one person takes up an offence against another, and speaks of it to this or that person before he has told the brother offending of it—which is a palpable sin and a direct violation of Christ’s holy precept. Such must, as offenders themselves, be in a gospel way dealt with. To prevent this the discipline of the church should be taught and the members informed of their duties.
2. Another thing that causes trouble and disorder in a church is lack of love and tender affections to one another—as also not having a full sight and sense of the great evil of breaking the bonds of peace and unity. Oh, that all would lay this abominable evil to heart! How base a thing it is to break the peace of a private family or neighborhood! But it is much more sinful to disturb the peace of the church of the living God, and break the bonds of the unity thereof. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psa 133:1). But, oh, how ugly and hateful is the contrary (Joh 13:12-17; Eph 4:3; Heb 13:1; Eph 4:31-32; 5:2; Jam 3:16)!
3. Another disorderly practice is this: when one member or another knows of some sinful act or evils done by one or more members and they conceal it or do not act according to the rule—pretending they wish not to be looked upon as contentious persons. But hereby they may become guilty of other men’s sins, and also suffer the name of God and the church to lie under reproach, and all through their neglect. This is a great iniquity (Act 5:3-8; Lev 19:17).
4. When an elder or church shall know that some persons are scandalous in their lives or heretical in judgment and yet shall bear or connive with them.
5. When members take liberty to hear at other places when the church is assembled to worship God. This is nothing less than a breaking their covenant with the church, and may soon dissolve any church. For by the same rule, one may take that liberty, and so another, nay, every member, may. Moreover, it casts contempt upon the ministry of the church and tends to cause such who are hearers to draw off and to be disaffected with the doctrine taught in the church—they knowing these dissenters do belong unto it. I exhort therefore, in the name of Christ, that this may be prevented. And any of you that know who they are who take this liberty, please reveal them to the church. [Nevertheless] we lay no restraint upon our members from hearing at other times such who are sound in the faith (Act 4:23).
6. The liberty that some take to hear men that are corrupt in their judgments, and so take in unsound notions, and also strive to distil them into the minds of others, as if they were of great importance. Alas, how many are corrupted in these days with Arminianism, Socinianism, and what not! This causes great trouble and disorder (2Pe 2:2).
7. When one church shall receive a member or members of another congregation without [that congregation’s] consent or knowledge. Nay, such are disorderly and may be loose livers,56 or cast out for immorality, or persons filled with prejudice without cause. This is enough to make men atheists, or contemn all church authority and religion—for has not one regular church as great authority from Christ as another?
8. Another disorder is when members are received without the general consent of the church, or before good satisfaction is taken of their godly lives and conversations, or when a church is too remiss in the reception of her members.
9. Another disorder is when a church shall receive a charge against a member (it being an offence between brother and brother) before an orderly proceeding has been made by the offended person (Act 9:27; Mat 18:15).
10. When judgment passes with partiality, and some are connived at out of favor or affection. Levi was not to know his father or mother in judgment (Lev 19:15).
11. When members do not constantly and early attend our public assemblies, and the worship of God on the Lord’s Day especially, but are remiss in that matter. This is a great evil (Psa 63:1; Song 7:12; Mar 16:1).
12. When part of a church shall meet together as dissatisfied to consult church matters without the knowledge or consent of the church or pastor. This is disorderly and tends to division, and such should be marked (1Co 12:25; Rom 16:17).
13. Another thing that tends to disquiet the peace of the church is when there are any undue heats of spirit or passion shown in the pastor or others in managing the discipline of the church. Have we not found by experience the sad effect of this? Therefore, things must be always managed with coolness, sweetness of spirit, and moderation—every brother having liberty to speak his mind and not to be interrupted until he has done; nor [should more than] one speak at once (2Ti 2:25).
14. When one brother or more dissents in the sentiments of their minds from the church in any matters circumstantial—either in respect of faith, practice, or discipline—and will not submit to their majority, but raise feuds; nay, will rend themselves from the church rather than consent (Jude 1:19; Jam 3:14-16). I query, what reason or ground has any man to refuse communion with a church that Christ has not left, but has communion with?
15. When any member shall divulge or make known to persons not of the congregation, nor being concerned in those matters, what is done in church meetings. The church in this respect (as well as in others) is to be as a garden enclosed, a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. This often occasions great grief, and the disorderly person should be detected. Is it not a shame to any of a private family to divulge the secrets of the family? But far greater shame do these expose themselves unto (Song 4:12).
16. Another disorderly practice is this: when a member shall suggest and seem to insinuate into the minds of other members some evil against their pastor, yet will not declare what it is—and may only be evil surmisings out of prejudice, and yet refuses to acquaint the pastor with what it is. This is very abominable, and a palpable violation of the rule of the gospel and of the duty of members to their minister. Such a person ought to be severely rebuked; and if he does not confess his evils and manifest unfeigned repentance, he must be dealt with further. Moreover it is a great evil in another to hear such base insinuations and neither rebuke the accuser (and so discharge his duty) nor take two or three more to bring the person to repentance. If he deals thus by a private brother, it is a great evil, but far worse to an elder, whose name and honor ought, with all care and justice, to be kept up as being more sacred (Rom 1:29; 1Ti 6:4; Zec 7:10; 1Ti 5:19; 1Co 8:12).
17. Also, when everyone does not contribute to the poor as God has blessed them on every Lord’s Day, or first day of the week, as He has commanded (1Co 16:2).
18. Another disorder is this: when members refuse to communicate with the church at the Lord’s Table because they think some person or persons are guilty of evil, and yet they have not proceeded with them according to rule. These either excommunicate the church or themselves, or at least they censure those persons unwarrantably (Mat 18). I beseech you for Christ’s sake that this may never be any more among you. You ought not to deal thus with them or refuse your communion (though faulty) until the church has dismembered, withdrawn from, or at least suspended them.
19. When one member shall believe or receive a report against another before he knows the truth of the matter (Jer 20:1, 10).
20. When an accusation is brought against an elder contrary to the rule, which ought not be without two or three witnesses as to the matter of fact (1Ti 5:19).
21. When the Word of God is not carefully attended upon on week or lecture‐days by the members generally, though the said meeting be appointed by the whole church (Isa 55:3; Act 2:1-2; Act 10:33).
22. When days of prayer and fasting, days of public thanksgiving, or days of disciplining are not generally attended upon60 (Joel 2:16).
23. Lastly, when gifted brethren are not first duly encouraged privately to exercise their gifts, and being in time approved, called forth to preach or exercise in the church—and when encouragement is not given to bestow learning also upon them for their better accomplishment. What will become of the churches in time to come, if this be not prevented with speed? (2Ti 2:2).
https://www.chapellibrary.org/files/9415/3720/3825/goat.pdf
1. One cause of discord is through the ignorance in some members of the rules of discipline and right government, particularly when that rule in Matthew 18 is not followed (v. 15). Instead, one person takes up an offence against another, and speaks of it to this or that person before he has told the brother offending of it—which is a palpable sin and a direct violation of Christ’s holy precept. Such must, as offenders themselves, be in a gospel way dealt with. To prevent this the discipline of the church should be taught and the members informed of their duties.
2. Another thing that causes trouble and disorder in a church is lack of love and tender affections to one another—as also not having a full sight and sense of the great evil of breaking the bonds of peace and unity. Oh, that all would lay this abominable evil to heart! How base a thing it is to break the peace of a private family or neighborhood! But it is much more sinful to disturb the peace of the church of the living God, and break the bonds of the unity thereof. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psa 133:1). But, oh, how ugly and hateful is the contrary (Joh 13:12-17; Eph 4:3; Heb 13:1; Eph 4:31-32; 5:2; Jam 3:16)!
3. Another disorderly practice is this: when one member or another knows of some sinful act or evils done by one or more members and they conceal it or do not act according to the rule—pretending they wish not to be looked upon as contentious persons. But hereby they may become guilty of other men’s sins, and also suffer the name of God and the church to lie under reproach, and all through their neglect. This is a great iniquity (Act 5:3-8; Lev 19:17).
4. When an elder or church shall know that some persons are scandalous in their lives or heretical in judgment and yet shall bear or connive with them.
5. When members take liberty to hear at other places when the church is assembled to worship God. This is nothing less than a breaking their covenant with the church, and may soon dissolve any church. For by the same rule, one may take that liberty, and so another, nay, every member, may. Moreover, it casts contempt upon the ministry of the church and tends to cause such who are hearers to draw off and to be disaffected with the doctrine taught in the church—they knowing these dissenters do belong unto it. I exhort therefore, in the name of Christ, that this may be prevented. And any of you that know who they are who take this liberty, please reveal them to the church. [Nevertheless] we lay no restraint upon our members from hearing at other times such who are sound in the faith (Act 4:23).
6. The liberty that some take to hear men that are corrupt in their judgments, and so take in unsound notions, and also strive to distil them into the minds of others, as if they were of great importance. Alas, how many are corrupted in these days with Arminianism, Socinianism, and what not! This causes great trouble and disorder (2Pe 2:2).
7. When one church shall receive a member or members of another congregation without [that congregation’s] consent or knowledge. Nay, such are disorderly and may be loose livers,56 or cast out for immorality, or persons filled with prejudice without cause. This is enough to make men atheists, or contemn all church authority and religion—for has not one regular church as great authority from Christ as another?
8. Another disorder is when members are received without the general consent of the church, or before good satisfaction is taken of their godly lives and conversations, or when a church is too remiss in the reception of her members.
9. Another disorder is when a church shall receive a charge against a member (it being an offence between brother and brother) before an orderly proceeding has been made by the offended person (Act 9:27; Mat 18:15).
10. When judgment passes with partiality, and some are connived at out of favor or affection. Levi was not to know his father or mother in judgment (Lev 19:15).
11. When members do not constantly and early attend our public assemblies, and the worship of God on the Lord’s Day especially, but are remiss in that matter. This is a great evil (Psa 63:1; Song 7:12; Mar 16:1).
12. When part of a church shall meet together as dissatisfied to consult church matters without the knowledge or consent of the church or pastor. This is disorderly and tends to division, and such should be marked (1Co 12:25; Rom 16:17).
13. Another thing that tends to disquiet the peace of the church is when there are any undue heats of spirit or passion shown in the pastor or others in managing the discipline of the church. Have we not found by experience the sad effect of this? Therefore, things must be always managed with coolness, sweetness of spirit, and moderation—every brother having liberty to speak his mind and not to be interrupted until he has done; nor [should more than] one speak at once (2Ti 2:25).
14. When one brother or more dissents in the sentiments of their minds from the church in any matters circumstantial—either in respect of faith, practice, or discipline—and will not submit to their majority, but raise feuds; nay, will rend themselves from the church rather than consent (Jude 1:19; Jam 3:14-16). I query, what reason or ground has any man to refuse communion with a church that Christ has not left, but has communion with?
15. When any member shall divulge or make known to persons not of the congregation, nor being concerned in those matters, what is done in church meetings. The church in this respect (as well as in others) is to be as a garden enclosed, a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. This often occasions great grief, and the disorderly person should be detected. Is it not a shame to any of a private family to divulge the secrets of the family? But far greater shame do these expose themselves unto (Song 4:12).
16. Another disorderly practice is this: when a member shall suggest and seem to insinuate into the minds of other members some evil against their pastor, yet will not declare what it is—and may only be evil surmisings out of prejudice, and yet refuses to acquaint the pastor with what it is. This is very abominable, and a palpable violation of the rule of the gospel and of the duty of members to their minister. Such a person ought to be severely rebuked; and if he does not confess his evils and manifest unfeigned repentance, he must be dealt with further. Moreover it is a great evil in another to hear such base insinuations and neither rebuke the accuser (and so discharge his duty) nor take two or three more to bring the person to repentance. If he deals thus by a private brother, it is a great evil, but far worse to an elder, whose name and honor ought, with all care and justice, to be kept up as being more sacred (Rom 1:29; 1Ti 6:4; Zec 7:10; 1Ti 5:19; 1Co 8:12).
17. Also, when everyone does not contribute to the poor as God has blessed them on every Lord’s Day, or first day of the week, as He has commanded (1Co 16:2).
18. Another disorder is this: when members refuse to communicate with the church at the Lord’s Table because they think some person or persons are guilty of evil, and yet they have not proceeded with them according to rule. These either excommunicate the church or themselves, or at least they censure those persons unwarrantably (Mat 18). I beseech you for Christ’s sake that this may never be any more among you. You ought not to deal thus with them or refuse your communion (though faulty) until the church has dismembered, withdrawn from, or at least suspended them.
19. When one member shall believe or receive a report against another before he knows the truth of the matter (Jer 20:1, 10).
20. When an accusation is brought against an elder contrary to the rule, which ought not be without two or three witnesses as to the matter of fact (1Ti 5:19).
21. When the Word of God is not carefully attended upon on week or lecture‐days by the members generally, though the said meeting be appointed by the whole church (Isa 55:3; Act 2:1-2; Act 10:33).
22. When days of prayer and fasting, days of public thanksgiving, or days of disciplining are not generally attended upon60 (Joel 2:16).
23. Lastly, when gifted brethren are not first duly encouraged privately to exercise their gifts, and being in time approved, called forth to preach or exercise in the church—and when encouragement is not given to bestow learning also upon them for their better accomplishment. What will become of the churches in time to come, if this be not prevented with speed? (2Ti 2:2).
https://www.chapellibrary.org/files/9415/3720/3825/goat.pdf