It is critical to differentiate between the Church in the world and the Church glorified. The membership of the Church in the world is always banded together in formal membership defined as “born again” believers, baptized by immersion, living in harmony with the commands of the Word of God, committed to be disciples of Jesus Christ, intent upon fulfilling the Great Commission, and having God called officers that meet Biblical qualifications. This formal membership of the Church in the world Scripturally is always a local church and is governed by congregational polity as each formal member of the Body discerns the mind of Christ (God’s will) on any decision before them and they vote the mind of Christ (God’s will). The formal membership constitutes a local church and is administrated by a Pastor called of God, which calling is spiritually discerned by the formal membership discerning the will of God and signifying that discernment by congregational vote.

     The Church glorified is still being built. It is often improperly referred to as the Universal Church. We cannot understand the differences between the Church in the world and the Church glorified apart from understanding Dispensationalism and Dispensational transitions. For all practical purposes, the Church glorified does not yet exist in that it will not be assembled until after the resurrection/translation of Church Age believers when they will be glorified. The Church glorified is made up of all “born again” believers baptized into the “body” of Christ (I Cor. 12:13), and indwelled and sealed with the Holy Spirit of God from the Day of Pentecost to the beginning of the seven year Tribulation (I Thess. 4:16-17). The martyred Tribulation believers will be added to the Church glorified at the second coming of Christ (Rev. 20:4-6). The Church glorified will rule with Christ during the thousand year Kingdom Age on Earth as kings and priests with Christ.

     The confusion of the Church in the world (the local church) and the Church glorified has led to much confusion in the interpretation of Scripture regarding issues of fellowship between local churches and how local churches are to interrelate with one another. The emphasis of Scripture regarding the local church is internal purity. The emphasis of Scripture regarding the Church glorified is organic unity. Internal purity is to be maintained through congregational polity along with pastoral administration of the local church. Internal purity cannot be perfectly achieved in a sinful world. Internal purity involves attempting to maintain a purity of membership; only “born again” members united in spirit, doctrine, and purpose. Individuals will make false professions and become members of local churches. Internal purity involves maintaining purity in doctrine, purpose, and personal sanctification (holiness) of all individuals within a local church “body.”

     Organic unity of the Church glorified will be the natural spiritual dynamic upon glorification. Although various local churches may experience a degree of organic unity in fellowship with one another while in the world, organic unity will never be achieved in its purest sense as it will be in the Kingdom Age.

     Maintaining internal purity by maintaining a Believers Only formal membership through Congregational Polity: only “born again” believers were “added” to the Church.

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread form house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:41-47).

“I AM the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit, Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you, As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:1-7).

     Maintaining internal purity by maintaining an only water baptized believers formal membership through Congregational Polity; only water baptized believers were “added to the church.”

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19).

“But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women” (Acts 8:12).

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41).

     Maintaining internal purity by maintaining a formal membership through Congregational Polity of believers sharing a common faith (doctrine), resulting in a common practice.

“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).

“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed” (II John 9-10).

     Maintaining internal purity by maintaining a formal membership through Congregational Polity in the careful selection of organized and Scriptural officers.

“Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons” (Philippians 1:1).

“1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus” (I Timothy 3:1-13).

     Maintaining internal purity by maintaining a formal membership through Congregational Polity in accountability of each individual local church member to be involved in aggressive and bold evangelistic outreach.

“18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:18-20).

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in the Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

“1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed” (I Corinthians 15:1-11).

     Maintaining internal purity by maintaining a formal membership through Congregational Polity is exemplified in the accountability of each individual local church member in active involvement in the regular assemblies during public times.

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is ; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).

“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart in the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight” (Acts 20:7).

“Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come” (I Corinthians 16:2).

     Maintaining internal purity by maintaining a formal membership through Congregational Polity is exemplified in the accountability of each individual local church member in practicing the discipline of its membership.

The Biblical authority for local church discipline through Congregational Polity

“15 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. 16 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. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:15-20).

“1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person” (I Corinthians 5:1-13).

Offenses requiring discipline through Congregational Polity

A. Personal unresolved sins between brethren, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone” (Matthew 18:15a)
B. Gross sins (moral turpitude; I Corinthians 5:11-13) such as fornication, adultery, theft, abusive language, drunkenness, cheating, and etc.
C. False doctrine

“A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject” (Titus 3:10).

“19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20 Of whom is Hymenaous and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme” (I Timothy 1:19-20).

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Romans 16:17).

D. Disorderliness or disruption of fellowship

“6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 8 Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. 10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. 14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (II Thessalonians 3:6-15).

The methodology of church discipline

A. Done in love: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34-35).
B. Intended to produce confession and repentance of sin: “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying I repent; thou shalt forgive him” (Luke 17:3-4).
C. Followed by COMPLETE forgiveness: Luke 17:3-4.
D. Intended for the purpose of restoration: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).

Procedure of church discipline

A. Private council: “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” (Matthew 18:15).
B. If private council is unsuccessful, council with two or three witnesses: “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 18:16).
C. If this is unsuccessful, call a public hearing of the assembly: “And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican” (Matthew 18:17).
D. Solemn action, if required, by the assembly

“In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (I Corinthians 5:4-5).

“Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many” (II Corinthians 2:6).