John 20:23 says “Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” Initially, this involves water baptism done by the Apostles, and the church, and if you pay careful attention, you will see the authority given to the church to forgive sins by Jesus Christ. Have you ever heard the phrase “No one has a heaven or hell to put you in”, well actually, the church has that authority, so we “the church” must be careful in our judgment upon individuals. Matthew 18:11-18 says “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Once after it is told unto the church, meaning those in authority, and the party neglects to hear them, then they are loosed from the church fellowship. Notice Matthew 16:19 “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Please read again “…AND WHATSOEVER THOU SHALT LOOSE ON EARTH SHALL BE LOOSED IN HEAVEN.” So once a person is loosed from fellowship it is also done in heaven! When this happens they are then delivered to Satan (1Cor.5:5, 1Tim.1:20). And many that are not disciplined in this manner show the error in doctrine that they have been loosed from their heavenly seat in Christ: 2 Timothy 2:17-19 says “And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” And some error in position: 3 John 1:9-10 says “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.” Jesus loves his church, please do not neglect to hear him.
Hebrews 12:6-8 says “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Revelation 3:19 says “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”
-Anthony Booker
The GATHERING Place 