Matthew 18 – Tell it to the Assembly

(Review committee report here)

-What offenses have been addressed with Matthew 18:15 and Matthew 18:16 and are now to be addressed by the assembly under Matthew 18:17 “…tell it to the assembly.”?

Offenses may arise among worshipers in any church body. Scripture gives the method for handling such offenses – Matthew 18:15-17. Once the first two steps of the Matthew 18 principle have been followed, the final step is to “…tell it to the assembly.” There are certain offenses that are yet unreconciled in the FOHC body, since the body has not been convened as the assembly to hear such offenses.

Example:

One Sunday school teacher’s 30+ year Sunday school class was cancelled. Prior to any action by elders on the statement of faith, all content on the FOHC website was summarily removed, following the unilateral decision of a single elder who instructed a member of staff to remove the content. The matter was first discussed among said teacher, elder and staff member, at which time the elder in question apologized for his actions. (Matthew 18, step 1). The matter was then taken to the full elder board, at which time each elder excused the unilateral decision, taking no further action. (Matthew 18, step 2). The final biblical appeal is to the FOHC assembly. (Matthew 18, step 3).

For offenses that may arise among worshipers in any church body the method for handling such offenses, being Matthew 18, is to be followed, the final step being to “…tell it to the assembly.” Jesus instructs the assembly to deliberate and resolve such offense