Aren't there examples in Scripture of people being set outside of the community because of their transgressions? Doesn't Jesus tell us (Matt 18) that we should look to the church to arbitrate disagreements and the Church should treat "as you would a tax collector" those who do not abide by the Church's decision?
If one can throw a believer out, is it not logical that the same body has the ability to reconcile with those who show contrition?
I'm not saying you have to believe in priests or hocus pocus. Just taking the Church as a group, a society, there has to be some mechanism there for acceepting and rejecting members.
SD
Isn't this a fundamental issue? Either you believe the community of believers is a party to your transgressions and to your reconciliation, or you believe it is entirely a private matter.
Jesus outlined a process of reconciliation which started at the private end of the spectrum ... and only became a church matter if reconciliation could not be achieved in any other way.Matthew 18:15 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.Per Jesus ... every sin is not a matter for the church to preside over.
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.
Dave -- there are more than one interpretation as to what was meant when He said to treat them as a tax collector or a sinner. BTW, I thought that was something Paul wrote. Anyway, I've been taught to look at that as looking at the person that is in need of conversion all over again, who has fallen.
A person like that is not "put out of the community." He is invited to "Come taste and see how gracious the Lord is" Ps38 all over again. Jesus didn't reject the tax collector and the sinner, as the lefties never tire of reminding us, but he did require them to give up their sin.