Didn’t Jesus tell us how to handle offenses between believers?

Jesus and Paul both give details of procedures for handling offenses within the church. Those procedures look toward reconciliation and removal of barriers, rather than creation of barriers, except where excommunication is necessary.

Yes, he did. I will first quote the full passage:

 “Now if your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have gained your brother.  But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that on the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be confirmed.  And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, he is to be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.

“Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”

Matthew 18:15-20.

This procedure is also in general agreement with Galatians 6:1-2:

Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.  Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

The objectives of the procedure are to bring reconciliation and restoration of the individuals involved and to preserve the unity of the body, not to create barriers and not to facilitate members cutting each other off privately. If any cutting off is to be done, it is to be done by the whole church collectively after nothing else works (Matt. 18:17). And, even then, the person cut off becomes only a non-member–like a Gentile or a tax collector (who remain real people)–not a nonentity.

But, remember, I’m only an old fool speaking.

Centuries of church practice placed heavy burdens on members subjected to discipline but not excommunicated, as expiatory penalties for their sins, and largely cut them off from the community until they paid up. The practice of the same centuries exiled, imprisoned or executed as criminals people who were excommunicated.

Perhaps simply being cut off by people who don’t like me is better than that? But is it better for the body? We might want to ask Jesus before we answer that question!

Leprosy–and members cutting each other off

Late news flash: As far as I can tell, Jesus wasn’t asked. I was simply cut off. No part of either procedure was followed. As trash, I simply didn’t deserve it! But I’m pretty sure my change of status has been bound irrevocably in Heaven.