The Standard Manual for Baptist Churches

by Edward T. Hiscox

Note 3.—When private difficulties exist among members which they cannot, or will not settle, the church should consider them as public offenses, and as such dispose of them, rather than suffer the perpetual injury which they inflict.

Note 4.—When a member refers to the church any private difficulty, which he has been unable to settle, he must submit it wholly to the disposition of the body, and abide by its decision. If he attempts to revive and prosecute it beyond the decision of the church, he becomes an offender, and subject to discipline.

Note 5.—Any member tried by the church has the right to receive copies of all charges against him, the names of his accusers, and the witnesses, both of whom he shall have the privilege of meeting face to face, hearing their statements, bringing witnesses on his side, and answering for himself before the body.

Note 6.—Every member on trial or excluded, shall have furnished at his request, authentic copies of all proceedings had by the church in his case, officially certified.

Note 7.—No member under discipline can have the right to bring any person, not a member, before the church as his advocate, except by consent of the body.

Note 8.—In every case of exclusion, the charges against the member, and the reasons for his exclusion, should be accurately entered on the records of the church.

Note 9.—If at any time it shall become apparent, or seem probable to the church that it has for any reason dealt unjustly with a member, or excluded him without sufficient cause, it should at once, and without request by concession and restoration, so far as possible, repair the injury it has done him.

Note 10.—The church should hold itself bound to restore to its fellowship an excluded member when, ever he gives satisfactory evidence of repentance and reformation consistent with godliness.

Note 11.—The church will exercise is legitimate authority, and vindicate its honor and rectitude in the administration of discipline, even though the member should regard such discipline as unjust or oppressive.

Note 12.—Nothing can be considered a just and reasonable cause for discipline, except what is forbidden by the letter of the spirit of Scripture. And nothing can be considered a sufficient cause for disfellowship and exclusion, except what is clearly contrary to Scripture, and what would have prevented the reception of the person into the church, had it been known to exist at the time of his reception.