What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "What does Paul teach in 1 Corinthians 5:3,12–13 and 6:1–13?"
Answer
Paul sharply rebukes the believers in Corinth for taking legal disputes among themselves before secular courts rather than before the church. He emphasizes that the saints are called to judge the world and even angels, so they should be capable of resolving even minor everyday matters internally. He also points out that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God and that the church has the authority to maintain discipline and exclude the unworthy from the fellowship.
Rebuke for Lawsuits before the Unrighteous
»To those in Corinth who had lost sight of this clear counsel, Paul wrote unmistakable words of admonition and rebuke. "Will any one of you," he asked, "who has a matter against another, bring it before the unrighteous rather than before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you not worthy to judge even the smallest things? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the matters that concern this life? ... I say this to you in shame. Is it that there is no wise person among you? Not even one who could judge among his brothers? Yet a brother judges another, and that before the unbelievers. Now it is already a fault among you that you go to court with one another. Why do you not rather allow injustice? ... No, you do injustice and deceive, and your brothers. Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?«
The Church’s Authority for Discipline
»The Lord was given the power to resolve all questions concerning the prosperity, purity, and order of the church. It rests upon the church to exclude from its fellowship those who are unworthy and whose unchristian behavior would bring shame to the truth. Whatever the church does in accordance with the instructions in God's Word will be affirmed in heaven. ... God has given the church a voice that must guide its members.«
Consequences of Lawsuits for God’s Work
»Christians should not resort to civil courts to settle differences that may arise among church members. Such differences should be resolved among themselves or by the church in accordance with Christ’s teaching. Even when wrongdoing has occurred, the successor of the meek and humble Jesus would rather endure being "deceived" than expose the sins of his brothers in the church to the world. Lawsuits between brothers are a reproach to the cause of truth.«
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
EGW Vision helps you find topics, statements, and quotes faster, especially when many original sources are not yet fully available in your language. The tool searches semantically, groups relevant content by topic, and presents matching results as clearly as possible in your language.
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