Questions & Answers

Excommunication is the declaration that a person has shown himself or herself "outside the communion" or fellowship of believers. This declaration is made in love and in response to public impenitence (public and observable lack of repentance) after attempts to bring the person to repentance have failed. This general procedure is outlined by Jesus in Matthew 18:15-20.

Excommunication is valid and applies only to impenitent professing believers (those who claim to be Christians but whose testimony in word and deed says their claim is false) as long as they remain impenitent. It is not a permanent declaration but always subject to the presence or absence of repentance and faith in Jesus in a person's heart.

Church membership is not the real issue here even though people excommunicated forfeit meaningful, visible church membership at the same time as they are declared outside the body of believers. There is no automatic, life-long forfeiture of membership in the Holy Christian Church or in local congregations -- these are dependent on the Holy Spirit's bringing the people back to repentance and faith in Jesus. This is, in fact, the goal, purpose, and prayer of those who faithfully and lovingly carry out excommunication. Among the greatest joys for Christians is to welcome back a formerly impenitent sinner who expresses repentance and reliance on Christ. It gives joy to God's angels too (please read Luke chapter 15, especially Luke 15:7,10,32).