The Spirit of God: Unity and Discipline (J.Brereton)

John Brereton, in the late 1970's and early 1980's gave a 4-part series on the ground of gathering with God found in scripture. This excerpt is from John Brereton’s final talk in a four-part series on the Ground of Gathering.Holiness, Discipline, and the "Within" and "Without" in the Assembly explains  what is morally suited to God does not change between Old and New Testament dispensations: God gathers a holy people by His Spirit around a holy Person, Christ. Using the Corinthian situation, Mr. Brereton  argues that tolerated wickedness “leavens” the whole assembly and must be put outside, noting that while “deliver unto Satan” was apostolic, the principle of exclusion remains. The person dealt with is not set aside as a brother but as “that wicked person,” and obedience to Scripture, not excuses like love or reluctance to judge, requires separation from evil. He emphasizes the biblical reality of “within” and “without,” insisting one cannot be excluded in one place yet received in another among those gathered to the Lord’s name by the same Spirit. Original meeting can be found on www.WhoseFaithFollow.orgSubmit questions and comments to www.ThoughtsofChrist.com