16. Of the Ecclesiastical Ban, or Separation from the Church

We also believe in and confess a ban, separation, and Christian correction in the church, for amendment and not for destruction, in order to distinguish what is pure from what is impure; namely, when anyone, after he is enlightened, has accepted the knowledge of the truth, and been incorporated into the communion of the saints, sins again, a sin leading to death, either through willfulness, or through presumption against God, or through some other cause, and falls into the unfruitful works of darkness, thereby becoming separated from God and forfeiting the kingdom of God, that such a one, after the deed is evident and sufficiently known to the church, may not remain in the congregation of the righteous, but, as an offensive member and open sinner, shall and must be separated, put away, reproved before all, and purged out like leaven; and this for his amendment, as an example, so that others may fear, and to keep the church pure, by cleansing her from such spots, for otherwise the name of the Lord would be blasphemed, the church dishonored, and offense given to those who are outside; and finally, so that the sinner may not be condemned with the world, but may become convinced in his mind, and be moved to sorrow, repentance and reformation. Jeremiah 59, verse 2; First Corinthians 5, verses 5 and 13; First Timothy 5, verse 20; First Corinthians 5, verse 6; Second Corinthians 10, verse 8; Second Corinthians 13, verse 10. [n61-1]

Further, concerning brotherly reproof or admonition, as also the instruction of those who err, it is necessary to use all diligence and care, to watch over them and to admonish them with all meekness, so that they may be bettered, and to reprove, as is proper, the stubborn who remain hardened; in short, the church must put away from her the wicked (either in doctrine or in life), and no other. James 5, verse 19; Titus 3, verse 10; First Corinthians 5, verse 13.