Q. 85. How is the kingdom of heaven shut and opened by Christian discipline?

Question. How is the kingdom of heaven shut and opened by Christian discipline?

Answer. Thus: when, according to the command of Christ, those who, under the name of Christians, maintain doctrines or practices inconsistent therewith, will not, after having been brotherly admonished, renounce their errors and wicked course of life, are complained of to the Church, or to those who are thereunto appointed by the Church (1 Cor. 5;11); and if they despise their admonition, are, by them, forbid the use of the sacraments; whereby they are excluded from the Christian Church, and by God himself from the kingdom of Christ (1 Cor. 5;13): and when they promise and show real amendment, are again received as members of Christ and his Church (2 Cor. 2;6-8).

Proofs.

• [proof-1] 1 Cor. 5;11.—If any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one, no not to eat.— Matt. 18;15-17.
• [proof-2] 1 Cor. 5;13.—Put away from yourselves that wicked person.— Titus 3;10.—2 John 10;11.—2 Thess. 3;14.—Matt. 18;18.
• [proof-3] 2 Cor. 2;6-8.—Sufficient to such an one is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise, ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such an one be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.— Luke 15;21-24.