Expert: Brenton Hepburn - 8/12/2006

Question
I have a question about jehovah witness beliefs I was thinking about converting to jehovah witness but don't understand one thing about the religion. That is if a person fornicates or comments adultery why are they disfellowedship from the organization. If you are christians you are supposed to forgive and ask for forgiveness of your sins threw jesus christ because people are human their not perfect and they can make mistakes.

Answer
Hello Triece

Thank for  a very thoughtful question.

Your are absolutely correct when you say  

 “If you are Christians you are supposed to forgive and ask for forgiveness of your sins threw Jesus Christ because people are human they’re not perfect and they can make mistakes”    

Forgiveness is a very important part of being a Christian.  We can se that with the way Jesus treated the harlot  Marry Magdalene.  He asked if anyone is with out sin let them cast the first stone.

In our day we do not have the ability to read the heart as Jesus did.  He could see what really motivated a person and if they were truly repentant.

A person that has committed fornication or adultery is not automatically dissfellowshipped.
Dissfellowshipping is the last resort.  All effort has to be taken to help the wrong doer repent. So, in effect a person is not disfellowshiped for an action but for their attitude toward that action or attitude fro being found out..  

I do not like cutting and posting large amounts of material but in this case I will to demonstrate the attitude that should be taken .  (I have capitalized important sections.)


2 Even though God recognizes that we are all sinners, he wants to help us and is willing to forgive. (Ps. 32:1, 2) Our concept of God, though, would not be accurate if we did not accept his whole view of sin. Whereas Psalm 103 assures us that Jehovah “is forgiving all [our] error,” it also indicates our obligations, saying: “The loving-kindness of Jehovah is from time indefinite even to time indefinite toward those fearing him, . . .  toward those remembering his orders so as to carry them out.”—Ps. 103:3, 17, 18.

3 If a person commits grave sin, DOES NOT REPENT and seeks God’s fatherly mercy, but continues TO PURSUE SIN, what then? Exodus 34:6, 7 gives us a description of Jehovah. After stressing his mercy, his slowness to anger and willingness to pardon error, it adds: “But by no means will he give exemption from punishment.” (Compare Numbers 25:1-5; Ezekiel 33:12, 13.) Hence, we must not presume upon his mercy or take it for granted. What, then, should a true worshiper do if he falls into sin?

TAKING STEPS BACK TO GOD

4 A CHRISTIAN WHO HAS SINNED AGAINST GOD’S LAW NEEDS FORGIVENESS. Who can extend that? In actuality, only God. The apostle John wrote: “If we confess our sins [to God], he is faithful and righteous so as to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”—1 John 1:9; 2:1.
5 In the case of grave sin, God wisely advises that a Christian ‘confessing his sins’ ought to take an additional step. In a context that evidently refers to spiritual sickness involving “sins,” the disciple James wrote: “Is there anyone sick among you? Let him call the older men [or, elders] of the congregation to him, and let them pray over him, . . . And the prayer of faith will make the indisposed one well, and Jehovah will raise him up. Also, if he has committed sins, it will be forgiven him.”—Jas. 5:14-16.

6 This step is reasonable, for A CHRISTIAN WHO HAS GIVEN IN TO GRAVE SIN DISPLAYS A MEASURE OF SPIRITUAL WEAKNESS AND A NEED FOR HELP. He could benefit from the prayers of faith of the “older men of the congregation.” They are in position, also, to offer him Biblical counsel and help so that he can regain spiritual strength. Further, some transgressions amount to sins against the Christian congregation, for they bring reproach and sorrow upon God’s people. This makes it even more appropriate that such a sinner seek the elders’ help.—2 Cor. 2:10.

7 It displays wisdom and humility on the part of the Christian guilty of grievous sin to approach the elders on his own. “HE THAT IS COVERING OVER [“WHO HIDES,” LAMSA] HIS TRANSGRESSIONS WILL NOT SUCCEED, BUT HE THAT IS CONFESSING AND LEAVING THEM WILL BE SHOWN MERCY.” (PROV. 28:13) Sometimes, because of embarrassment, a feeling of guilt or a lack of heartfelt sorrow a sinner does not approach the elders, as James advises. Any Christian aware of the sin should encourage the wrongdoer to turn away from his error and seek the spiritual help that he needs. If the wrongdoer still will not go to the elders, the other Christian should alert them so that they can provide the needed help. All Christians should want to ‘turn a sinner back from the error of his way’ and thus “save his soul from death.”—Jas. 5:19, 20.

REPROVING WITH THE WORD OF GOD

8 When a judicial committee meets concerning wrongdoing, they prayerfully seek Jehovah’s guidance. In a manner appropriate for loving shepherds, the elders patiently discuss with the individual what appears to be the problem or wrongdoing. (Eph. 5:1, 2; 1 Pet. 5:2, 3) Even where there are witnesses who establish that wrongdoing has occurred, the judicial committee encourages the person to discuss frankly not only the wrong but what led up to it and how he feels about it. (Deut. 19:15; John 8:17) Why is this necessary?
9 Though the elders hearing the case establish guilt or convince someone of wrongdoing, THEIR PRIMARY INTEREST IS IN HELPING THEIR CHRISTIAN BROTHER WHO HAS GONE ASTRAY. THEY WANT TO MOVE HIM TO REPENT SO THAT “REFRESHING MAY COME FROM THE PERSON OF JEHOVAH.” (Acts 3:19) If the individual does not admit the wrong, recognize its grievous nature or see the need to repent, they may have to present ‘convincing evidence concerning his sin and concerning righteousness.’ (Compare John 16:8.) But in giving such godly reproof they should not be vindictive or harsh. The Bible urges: “REPROVE, REPRIMAND, EXHORT, WITH ALL LONG-SUFFERING AND ART OF TEACHING.” (2 Tim. 4:1, 2) By firmly, kindly and patiently giving reproof, they may be able to reach the sinner’s heart, helping him to hate the wrong and to turn back to God.—Jer. 3:12, 13.

10 We can learn from Ezra’s example. He clearly showed the Jews their error. This was not primarily to shame them, but to get them to stop, to touch their heart, to move them to hate the wrong and to repent. They needed to make confession to Jehovah and to act in accord therewith by doing what they could to undo their wrong. (Ezra 10:7-14) Similarly, the committee handling a case of gross sin wants to help the wrongdoer to see the gravity of the wrong and to sense in his heart the need to repent.—Isa. 1:18.

(that is just one article that I could have used)

Now there is a scriptural basis for dissfellowshipping unrepentant ones.  notice this example from  1 Corinthians 5:1 – 6:20 (RSV)

“It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and of a kind that is not found even among pagans; for a man is living with his father’s wife. 2  And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. 3  For though absent in body I am present in spirit, and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment 4  in the name of the Lord Jesus on the man who has done such a thing. When you are assembled, and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5  you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6  Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?
   7   Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed. 8  Let us, therefore, celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
   9   I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with immoral men; 10  not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11  But rather I wrote to you not to associate with any one who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber—not even to eat with such a one. 12  For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13  God judges those outside. "Drive out the wicked person from among you."
   1   When one of you has a grievance against a brother, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? 2  Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 3  Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, matters pertaining to this life! 4  If then you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who are least esteemed by the church? 5  I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no man among you wise enough to decide between members of the brotherhood, 6  but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? 7  To have lawsuits at all with one another is defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? 8  But you yourselves wrong and defraud, and that even your own brethren.
   9   Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor sexual perverts, 10  nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11  And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
   12   "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. 13  "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food"—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14  And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. 15  Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! 16  Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two shall become one flesh." 17  But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. 18  Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. 19  Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; 20  you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”


I hope I have been able to give you a better understanding of why we dissellowship certain ones.

Please feel free to ask for any more clarification if you need it

Brenton