I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10 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. (3 John 1:9-10)
This passage is a helpful one, because it makes a number of things clear.
1) There are men in the church who are ambitious and/or rebellious, and not trustworthy.
2) There are men in the church who are supposed to keep other church leaders accountable.
3) There are people who are spiritual brothers in Christ that are not members of the visibly organised church.
4) There are people who have been disciplined by the church who were in the right.
5) Despite all this, there is not condemnation of organisation in the church.
Let all things be done decently and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:40)
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