Lapsed Christians and Church Discipline

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

...become useless to their Lord because they have taken on savage habits. Therefore, these people have repentance in their power, unless they are found to have denied from the heart. But if anyone is found to have denied from the heart, I do not know whether he can live. And I say this not about these present days, as if anyone who has denied now may receive repentance, for it is impossible for someone to be saved who now intends to deny his Lord. But for those who denied Him long ago, repentance seems to be possible. If, therefore, anyone intends to repent, let him do so quickly, before the tower is completed. For if not, he will be completely destroyed by the women. And the chipped stones are the deceitful and the slanderers. And the wild beasts that you saw on the ninth mountain are the same. For just as wild beasts destroy and kill a person by their poison, so also the words of such people destroy and ruin a person. Accordingly, these are crippled in their faith because of the deeds they have done in themselves. Yet some repented and were saved. And the rest, who are like this, can be saved if they repent. But if they do not repent, they will perish with those women, whose powe

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

...he Lord, that it is great and glorious, and that He has given His Spirit to those who are worthy of repentance." "Then why, sir," I said, "did not all these repent?" He answered, "To those whose heart He saw would become pure and obedient to Him, He gave power to repent with the whole heart. But to those whose deceit and wickedness He perceived, and saw that they intended to repent hypocritically, He did not grant repentance, lest they should again profane His name." I said to him, "Sir, show me now, concerning those who gave in the branches, what sort they are, and what their dwelling place is, so that those hearing it who believed, and received the seal, and broke it, and did not keep it whole, may, on coming to know their deeds, repent, and receive a seal from you, and may glorify the Lord because He had compassion on them and sent you to renew their spirits." "Listen," he said. "Those whose branches were found withered and moth-eaten are the apostates and traitors of the Church, who have blasphemed the Lord in their sins, and have also been ashamed of the name of the Lord by which they were called. These, therefore, in the end were lost to God. And you see that not a single

Ignatius, Epistle to the Philadelphians (Long Version) Direct teaching

I therefore exhort you in the Lord to receive with all tenderness those that repent and return to the unity of the Church, that through your kindness and forbearance they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, and becoming worthy of Jesus Christ, may obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of Christ.

Ignatius, Epistle to the Philadelphians (Short Version) Direct teaching

And as many as shall, in the exercise of repentance, return into the unity of the Church, these, too, shall belong to God, that they may live according to Jesus Christ.

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Direct teaching

...estimony. Later they repented and recognized what was right and good. They confessed that they were Christians, and so they were thrown into prison and tortured. This holy man thinks it is right to receive such people with joy in the heart, to strengthen them in the orthodox faith, and to share fellowship with them both in prayers and in partaking of the sacraments. He also says they should be encouraged with comforting words, so that they may be more steadfast in the struggle and be counted worthy of the kingdom of heaven. And so that no one might think they should not be received because they had lapsed, he brings forward the testimony of Scripture that the just man falls seven times, that is, often, and rises again. And, he says, if all who had failed in their confession had done this, namely, taken up their struggle again and confessed before the tyrant that they were Christians, they would have shown a most complete repentance. Therefore, the subject covered in this canon is different from that in the first canon. There, those who had lapsed because of torture were not converted in such a way as to confess the faith before the tyrants. But here, those who have lapsed becaus

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

Therefore, O bishop, judge with authority like God, yet receive those who repent, for God is a God of mercy. Rebuke those who sin. Warn those who have not turned back. Encourage those who stand firm to continue in their goodness. Receive those who repent, for the Lord God has promised with an oath to grant forgiveness to those who repent for the wrong things they have done. For He says through Ezekiel: "Speak to them, 'As I live,' says the Lord, 'I do not desire the death of a sinner, but that the wicked turn from his evil way and live. Therefore turn from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel?'" Ezekiel 33:11. Here the word gives hope to sinners, so that if they repent, they will have hope of salvation. Otherwise, out of despair, they might give themselves over to their transgressions. But having hope of salvation, they may be converted, and may pray to God with tears because of their sins, and may repent from their hearts, and so calm His displeasure toward them. Then they will receive pardon from Him, as from a merciful Father.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

... He must free it from its offenses and give hope. In this way he must restore it in strength to the Church, bringing it back into the flock. Bring back what has been driven away. That is, do not allow the one who remains in sins and has been cast out as punishment to stay excluded. Instead, receive that one, bring him back, and restore him to the flock, that is, to the people of the undefiled Church. Seek what is lost. That is, do not allow the one who has despaired of salvation because of the great number of offenses to perish completely. Search for the one who has grown sleepy, drowsy, and sluggish, and who is careless about his own life because of the depth of his sleep, and who is far from his own flock, so that he is in danger of falling among the wolves and being devoured by them. Bring him back by admonition. Urge him to be watchful, and plant hope in him. Do not allow him to say what some have said: “Our impieties are upon us, and we pine away in them; how then shall we live?” Therefore, as much as possible, let the bishop make the offense his own, and say to the sinner, “Only return, and I will undertake to suffer death for you, as our Lord suffered death for me and for

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

... of being an apostle and preacher of the word. And Zacchaeus, whom the Lord received because of his repentance and his prayers to Him, was also at first a tax collector in the same way. Besides this, even the soldiers and the crowd of tax collectors who came to hear the Lord's word about repentance heard this from the prophet John after he had baptized them: "Do nothing more than what is appointed for you." Luke 3:13 In the same way, life is not denied to the Gentiles if they repent and cast away their unbelief. Therefore, regard everyone who is convicted of any wicked action and has not repented as a tax collector or a Gentile. But if he afterward repents and turns from his error, then, just as we receive the Gentiles, when they wish to repent, into the Church indeed to hear the word, but do not receive them to communion until they have received the seal of baptism and are made complete Christians, so we also permit such people to enter only to hear, until they show the fruit of repentance. This is so that by hearing the word they may not utterly and beyond recovery perish. But let them not be admitted to communion in prayer, and let them leave after the reading of the law, the

Revelation 3:19 Direct teaching

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

Revelation 2:5 Direct teaching

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

Galatians 6:1 Direct teaching

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

Acts 2:38 Direct teaching

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching

so that some, too little mindful of discipline, and hasty, with a rash precipitation, who had already begun to communicate with the lapsed, were restrained by my interposition.

Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching

...ho keeps these words from our brothers deceives those miserable people, so that those who, by truly repenting, might satisfy God, both as Father and as merciful, by their prayers and works, are misled more deeply to their destruction; and those who might have raised themselves up fall more deeply. For although, in lesser sins, sinners may do penance for a set time, and according to the rules of discipline come to public confession, and by the laying on of the hands of the bishop and clergy receive the right of communion, now, before their time is fulfilled, while persecution is still raging, while the peace of the Church itself is not yet restored, they are admitted to communion, and their name is presented. While the penitence has not yet been completed, confession has not yet been made, and the hands of the bishop and clergy have not yet been laid on them, the Eucharist is given to them, although it is written, "Whoever eats the bread and drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord," 1 Corinthians 11:27.

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness

...et since they escaped the notice of their persecutors by doing this, let a penalty of six months of penance be imposed on them. For in this way they will profit more, by meditating on the prophet's words and saying, "To us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called the Messenger of My mighty counsel." Isaiah 9:6 As you know, before His coming, another infant, in the sixth month of his conception, preached repentance for the remission of sins, Luke 1:76-77 and He Himself also was conceived to preach repentance. Moreover, we hear that both also preach, first of all, not only repentance, but also the kingdom of heaven, which, as we have learned, is within us. Luke 17:21 For the word that we believe is near us, in our mouth and in our heart. Being reminded of this, they will learn to confess with their mouths that Jesus is the Christ, believing in their heart that God has raised Him from the dead, and being like those who hear, that with the heart man believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation. Romans 10:8-10

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness

and also lest any of the lapsed should have a pretext for being remiss by occasion of the punishment.

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness

Balsamon. These canons deal with those who, during the persecution, denied the faith and are doing penance. The first canon orders that those who, after many tortures, sacrificed to the gods because they were too weak to endure, and who have spent three years in penitence, should be given another forty days. Then they should be admitted into the Church. Pay attention to these canons. They set out various useful rules for those who have denied their God and are seeking repentance, and for those who willingly sought martyrdom and fell away, and then confessed the faith again, and for other similar matters. Also consult many canons of the Council of Ancyra, because that will be helpful to you.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

...those who have not sinned, so that they may remain innocent; and those who do sin, so that they may repent. For the Lord says this to you: "Take heed that you do not offend one of these little ones" in Matthew 18:10. It is also your duty to grant forgiveness to those who repent. For as soon as someone who has sinned says with sincere heart, "I have sinned against the Lord," the Holy Spirit answers, "The Lord also has forgiven your sin; be of good cheer, you shall not die." Therefore, bishop, understand the dignity of your office. As you have received the power of binding, so you have also received the power of loosing. Since you have the power of loosing, know yourself, and conduct yourself in this world in a way that fits your office, knowing that you must give a great account. For to those whom, as the Scripture says, men have entrusted much, they will require the more, in Luke 12:48. For no man is free from sin, except Him who was made man for us. For it is written, "No man is pure from filthiness, no, not even if his life is only one day long." For this reason, the lives and conduct of the ancient holy men and patriarchs are described, not so that we may reproach them when w

Hebrews 12:8 Direct teaching

If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

Hebrews 12:10 Direct teaching

For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.

Hebrews 12:11 Direct teaching

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

1 Corinthians 11:32 Direct teaching

But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 Direct teaching

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

2 Thessalonians 3:14 Direct teaching

And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Direct teaching

..., but after returning to himself has recanted his error, and before the tyrants confessed himself a Christian, such a man shall no longer carry out his sacred ministry. This is because he has deserted the Lord's flock, and because, having of his own accord sought the contest, through not being able to endure the torment, he has brought reproach upon himself. For the apostles did not neglect the teaching of the people and prefer their own advantage. For the mighty Paul, after he had endured many torments, although he saw that it was far better to leave this life, still chose rather to live and to be tormented for the salvation and instruction of the people. Therefore those who seek the sacred ministry, from which they have fallen of their own accord, are altogether without perception. For how is it that they seek what they have left, when in this season of persecution they are able to be useful to their brothers? If indeed they had not fallen, indulgence would be extended to them for what they had done contrary to reason, for example, their voluntary flight, or their slackness in teaching and strengthening the brothers. But if they have lapsed through their own arrogance and conc

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Direct teaching

Therefore, it is not right that those of the clergy who have deserted of their own accord, and have lapsed, and have taken up the contest afresh, should remain any longer in their sacred office, since they have left the flock of the Lord destitute and brought blame upon themselves. Not one of the apostles did this. For when the blessed apostle Paul had undergone many persecutions and had shown the prizes of many contests, although he knew that it was far better to depart and be with Christ, yet he says, "Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you." Philippians 1:23-24 For, considering not his own advantage but the advantage of many, that they might be saved, he judged it more necessary than his own rest to remain with the brothers and to care for them. He also would have the one who teaches to be, in doctrine, "an example to the faithful." Titus 2:7 Therefore it follows that those who, while contending in prison, have fallen from their ministry and have taken up the struggle again, are plainly lacking in perception. For how else is it that they seek that which they have left, when at this present time they can be useful to the brothers? For as long as they remained

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Direct teaching

Whence it is not right either that those of the clergy who have deserted of their own accord, and have lapsed, and taken up the contest afresh, should remain any longer in their sacred office, inasmuch as they have left destitute the flock of the Lord, and brought blame upon themselves, which thing did not one of the apostles.

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness

and, therefore, let them the rather take heed to pass their life in humility, ceasing from vainglory.

2 Peter 2:20 Supporting witness

For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.