Shunning – Jesus Preacher

Biblical Shunning or Apostate Church?

February 14, 2024February 12, 2024 by johnmcglone

by John McGlone
Feb 12, 2024

What is the shunning process according to the Bible? I have believed since 2015 that failure by the leadership of local churches to correct errors within the body leads to a progression to apathy generally and individually. This apathy often will then grossly morph into general and individual apostasy. We see that in large churches and movements like the Methodists and Salvation Army that started so well to end in miserable apostate conditions.

What if we come before the Lord, and people we have served, taught, prayed for, discipled, loved, and had fellowship with are castaway by Jesus Christ on that final day? What if the souls that we were given responsibility over, are turned over to eternal torment in God’s justice called hell? What if we feared what men thought of us, more than we feared what God taught us by the Holy Spirit? The fear of man is a snare, but the fear of God is wisdom. Prov 29:25

Luke 12:4-5 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

STEP ONE: DEALING WITH THE OFFENDER/S AND OFFENSES AMONGST US
Matt 18:15-17
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.
a. alone
b. with a witness in this second step it is important to not reveal any of the problems of the situation to the second or third witnesses that they may judge the situation between the parties without bias or partiality. The person that seeks the witness to reveal sins, may in fact be revealed as a false accuser.
c. before the church (some teach this means elders/pastors only, I believe this to be a serious error)

STEP TWO: ACTIONS OF THE LEADERSHIP AND THE MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL BODY
a. to teach every member of the church, youngest to oldest this Matt 18 process so that sinful; behaviors, doctrines(ideas) are removed from the fellowship of the saints over the course of time. This will eliminate the tendency of some members to gossip, slander, and backbite as the exposure, correction and solving of problems amongst ourselves helps to purify the local body.
b. to monitor these practices to ensure they are in order and above all to love one another.
c. to periodically check on the divisive brother to see if he’s changed his mind and behaviors which would lead them to be welcomed back into the body after he’s made his apologies/restitutions then he would be restored.

Titus 3:9-11
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretick (some translations divisive) after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

This passage begs the question, “Is it divisive to then address bad doctrines or behaviors within the members that may lead to divisions? No, because the truth as taught by the Holy Ghost from the Holy Bible is in authority amongst all of us. For example, Hell and it’s real existence by the teachings of Jesus multiple times in the NT would never be called foolish strivings. In fact, doctrines are salvational not only for ourselves but those that hear us.

1 Tim 4:16
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

I suppose the doctrine the Apostle Paul is speaking of is generally the letter he wrote. We could at least call it the Gospel. IF that is the case then the warning of God’s justice and hell are an important part of that presentation.

HOW DO WE EXECUTE THIS DIFFICULT PROCESS?

Galatians 6:1 – 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.

2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 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.

Ezekiel 33:8-9 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

2 Tim 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

STEP THREE: PUTTING THE SINNER OUT OF FELLOWSHIP.
Once sin among a member is discovered and processed biblically according to Matt 18, what’s next? The Bible is clear to put out or shun that person from the fellowship. I am not saying that we can not keep a relationship with them IF they are willing. But, that relationship is understood as a saint and an errant brother who needs to repent.

1 Cor 5:9-13
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 IS CALLED A BROTHER (emphasis mine) 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.

James 5:19-20
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

1 Cor 5:4-8
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together (assembling of the saints), 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.

BENEFITS TO FOLLOWING GOD’S INSTRUCTION ON DEALING WITH SINNERS IN THE LOCAL CHURCH
In spiritually rejecting the willful sinner in your midst, you are purging the leaven/sin from within the local body. This is painful, but what are the affects on the individual and the body of Christ as a whole?

1. it may bring forth good fruit IF the transgressor repents and returns to the Lord Jesus and good doctrine/behaviors.

2. The biblical judicial exercise within the local church when exercised properly will cause the body to fear God. It will also cause the saints to obey Jesus’ commandments. Holiness unto the Lord!

3. Those that are lukewarm will either repent properly and be converted or they will depart themselves being pruned by the Holy Ghost. Better this than for Jesus to say depart from Me, ye cursed…

John 15:5-6
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. 6 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.

Rev 3: 16
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Matt 25:41
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

4. Lastly, for those that are unbelievers amongst us, it will instill the Fear of God which is the beginning of wisdom leading unto salvation. However, it may cause them to depart as well thus cleansing the local church. Or they may depart for a season, returning when the Lord has convinced them to repent by the instruction of the Holy Ghost and those seeds we’ve planted and watered amongst them. I won’t list the five verses these ideas in this paragraph are based upon. Do you know where they are dear reader?

I would sadly estimate that nearly all visible churches in America fail to implement proper judicial and biblical corrections for it’s members. It is the responsibility, therefore greater judgment by God, of the elders, pastors, teachers, and deacons to administrate the local assembly of believers. What are some of the reasons for this terrible failure? a. Our culture and people are offended at any correction, even if it’s from the Bible. b. Our nation has fallen for the false idea that truth is relative, therefore what is good for this person may be okay for them even if the Bible condemns it. c. The church leaders refuse to teach that we are to live holy and obey Jesus and the Gospel. d. A false system of evangelism of ‘invite the sinner’ into the church or ask Jesus into your heart. e. A false idea that we are not to ‘judge’ which is disproven by many verses in the Bible. 1 Cor 6:2-5 f. A false idea that Christians sin in thought, word, and deed daily.

I believe that many who are believing this lie propagated by Augustine, Calvin, and the ‘churches’ through the ages have not sought holiness in Christ, thought, word, and deed daily. I believe the confusion is that people consider temptations to be sin. We are all tempted in many things daily, our afflictions are great, but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Phil 4:13, 1 Cor 10:13
Jesus was tempted in all points, yet without sin. Heb 4:15 He is our example, and whom we should model our thinking, and behaviors upon. 1 John 2:3-6 John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Ghost from the womb of his mother Elizabeth. See my blog post Doctrines of Temptations for more of God’s Word on this vital subject.

Prov 17:15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

This model of evangelism in most churches is in direct contradiction to what we see in the book of Acts the blueprint for the church. All of the saints should have times of prayer individually and corporately, fasting, seeking the Holy Ghost, preparing, and going out into the world to preach or witness the Gospel to connect with our communities. We should: 1. bring them in if they are already born again and not attending fellowship (the spirits must be tested) 2. bring them in, if they are sincerely humble and seeking the truth of Jesus in a deeper way. (should go to immediate personal counsel with the leadership) 3. if they are choosing to hear another day then ask for a personal follow up over coffee. 4. If they mock and scorn then leave them to their wiles, tell them to repent or they will perish. Then pray that God would soften their hearts in the future. Thoughts of what happened with the Apostle Paul on Mars Hill come to mind in these scenarios.

#Shunning, #Shun, #Apostacy #ApostateChurch

Patience with Divisive a Man

November 24, 2016August 31, 2016 by johnmcglone

by John McGlone

I have been blessed over the last month to develop with a few saints of God the Heartland Openair Preaching and Evangelism Facebook Group, H.O.P.E. Things have been going very well, making connections among the saints in our heartland region. In just a few short weeks we have made some great event coordinations as well. It’s been really good, peaceable, and simple. We are up to about 50 members now, a few outside our region who are checking on what we are doing so they may initiate such a group for their regions. Praise God, wouldn’t it be great to have different regional groups who help announce, coordinate, and work out strategies for the members?

That is the background for the story of a man I am compelled to introduce named Phillip Gage, from Holcomb, MO. who was invited to join our group. From the very first welcome post on the thread, it seemed Phillip made his motives known to correct certain methods and standards for our group. I decided to remove the thread from the board, as one of our tenets is not to bring doctrines to discussion but leave the board for coordination, recruiting, and brainstorming events. He had also used some very vulgar language which I didn’t have time to deal with as I was heading out the door to preach at WKU all day. I offered that he could discuss these things in PM for any members who were willing to do so. I quickly set that up for him to discuss these things with the membership. The thread got quickly out of hand while I was gone with Phillip taking authority where he had none, accusing members of sin, etc. I told the admins to ask Phillip if I could call him, then we would work it out. He agreed and I called him after our hectic day on campus. He seemed apologetic, humble, and yet passionate all at the same time. I agreed he could stay on. I returned home found the thread was much worse than I thought, and how many things that Phillip did causing so much discord and division in such a short amount of time. You dear reader may be wondering what was he so bent out of shape about? He heard other preachers using terms like; faggot, whore, etc and he was grieved in his spirit. I explained my/our view on what may seem like harsh corrupt language comes from a corrupt heart, not from what the culture or even what an individual deems is corrupt. We believe a curse word involves cursing in the heart toward the one whom it is directed. For example, a sinner may say, “F… you preacher go to hell.” We would reply, “God bless you sinner I don’t want you to go to hell!” The same ‘curse’ word hell is involved but where is the cursing in the latter example? Who has the impure or pure heart in these matters? Thus when the open air minister is calling the world to repent of all the filthy, wicked things they promote and love, he must be careful not to have reviling in his heart toward the hearers. These things we witness and see on the streets of NeoSodom are vulgar and a shame to even speak but we are called to expose them.

Eph 4:29-32 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Eph 5:11-13 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

We can easily see there that we should not approve of, or have fellowship with sin. Even speaking of these wicked things sinners do is shameful. But, despite the fact that it is a shame, we have to reprove and expose these things which would mean we must speak of them…from a pure heart not defiled with reviling, hatred, and rioting on our parts. That is our position for the group.

I spoke with Phillip again for about an hour the next day and it became very quickly apparent, he had come to teach our group his arbitrary standard of what speech and methods of open air preaching he approves. At times he would be very patient, then outbursts of passion and anger about how grieved he was about our behavior. He made threats to come and preach against us at the Memphis Pride we had planned. I pointed out to him that if we were in sin, who was it and where was his evidence against them? After a pregnant pause, he offered Marvin Heiman. I immediately cautioned him about accusing brethren and asked for his proof to which he did not offer any. We spoke some more, then I hung up the phone very exhausted from maintaining my composure with a very belligerent phone call.

Over the course of the day the admins of the group came to the conclusion he wasn’t going to be a good fit. We decided that Marvin and I would speak to him the next day by phone, I would be the second witness in regards to Phillip’s accusation against Marvin’s sin, whatever that was. We also decided because it seemed that Phillip was so passionate and accusatory that we would make a recording of it.

The next day we called Phillip and he was agreeable to the recording and discussion parameters of timed sequences with me moderating our time together. I mention that we didn’t desire to publish this audio. However, I have changed my view on this in light of all the trouble he has caused among our members and now other open air groups making false accusations and bringing discord. Here is that talk:

Discussion with Marvin Heiman, Phillip Gage, and John McGlone

We have removed Phillip from our group based on his unwillingness to admit he is wrong about his accusations against Marvin and now the saints of God. At time 11:00 you hear his ideas that we should ostracize brethren, and separate ourselves. The Bible teaches us to seek reconciliation and peace among those of the household of faith, this was our motive and hope with him.

At time 19:01 Phillip asserts that the people that are hearing the words, determine whether or a word is a curse word or not.

The following godly brethren all part of our group had discussions on some level, either on private message or openly; Marvin Heiman, Quentin Deckard, A.T. Love, Joshua Stanley Lovell, and Tim Brown. I will include their testimonies as I receive them. There were many others on the Street Preacher Movement Group, Jim Gilles, et all, who briefly encountered him. This was before he realized that his testimony against me would not just be accepted without some testing by the saints. He began blocking people, including myself.

Pro 6:16-19 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

Tit 3:9-11 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

Heretick Strong’s G141 αἱρετικός aihretikos hahee-ret-ee-kos’
– a schismatic. This word only occurs once in the KJV translation

I publish this blog post to make it apparent to all the saints how we have tried to work with Phillip, but he would not put down his unbiblical views on words and methods in the open air. I also do this to warn and make aware to everyone in the open air holiness community of this divider of the brethren that they may call him to repentance. Thank you. May God bless you as you seek to glorify the Son!

One of the last correspondences Phillip gave to me was this pm, which he assumes many things based on a slanderous website against many open air preachers: