Ryan

Yes, indeed.  The final authority in Matt 18 rests on the congregation as a whole which upsides the world’s pattern of authority.  So it is not an aristocracy (in the human appointees), nor is it democratic (in that rule is by popular vote)… it is the duty of the congregation to carry out discipline.  And it always has been since early times.  When a stoning was required, the witness(es) who testified against a person were to cast the first stone followed by the entire assembly.

The duty of the pastors (or shepherds) seems to me to be responsible to lead the congregation to function as it ought, not to take autocratic authority over it… though Paul does seem to suggest that if they do not function as they ought, then he would discipline them.

hmm… this is an interesting thought: since the body of Christ is not divided, I wonder if such a thing were to happen today, if one local congregation shouldn’t be disciplined by another healthy congregation?  Often even the overseeing body (ie. the Baptist General Conference, for instance) strays in its teaching or practice.  It should be that another part of the body can discipline them as well, should it be necessary.

Thoughts?