Lifting of Church Discipline

Definition and Meaning

Haebeol is a Sino-Korean term meaning "to release from a penalty." It refers to the decision to withdraw a penalty that the church has imposed through church discipline (the church's correction of wrongdoing by members or officers). The penalties concerned include suspension from the Lord's Supper, which bars a person from Communion; suspension from office, which halts the exercise of an office; deposition, which removes a person from office; and excommunication, which removes a person from church membership. The essential condition for lifting discipline is the repentance of the disciplined person. The practice reflects an understanding that the purpose of discipline lies in restoration rather than punishment.

Biblical and Historical Background

Churches commonly cite 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 as the basis for lifting discipline. In this passage Paul urges the community to forgive and comfort the one who has been punished. Also cited are Galatians 6:1, which calls for restoring an erring brother "in the spirit of meekness," and Matthew 18:18, which speaks of the church's authority to bind and loose.

In the early church, it was customary for the bishop to reconcile to the church those who had completed a period of public penance. During the Reformation, the church of Geneva under John Calvin likewise readmitted to the Lord's Supper those who had been suspended from Communion once they repented. Chapter 30 of the Westminster Confession of Faith likewise identifies the reclaiming of offending brethren as a purpose of church censures.

Practice in the Korean Church

Presbyterian denominations set out procedures for lifting discipline in the disciplinary provisions of their church constitutions. The lifting of discipline for lay members, elders, and deacons is generally resolved by the session, while that for ministers is resolved by the presbytery. Once a suspension from the Lord's Supper is lifted, the person may again partake of Communion. Some denominations reportedly provide that a deposed officer does not automatically regain office when discipline is lifted but must again go through election and ordination. Specific provisions vary by denomination.

The Korean Methodist Church addresses procedures for lifting penalties and restoring rights within the judicial provisions of its Doctrine and Discipline, and it reportedly sometimes uses terms such as "restoration of rights." In Baptist churches and other churches with congregational polity, the lifting of discipline, like its imposition, is often decided by a meeting of the whole congregation.

The rescinding by a denominational general assembly of a heresy designation against a particular group or individual is a separate procedure, different in nature from the lifting of discipline imposed on an individual.