May some Christians get up during the worship assembly and begin preparing for a fellowship meal that will occur after the worship time has ended? To answer this question, let us consider some biblical principles:
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In the context of this question, the “unfaithful spouse” is referring to the Christian who is persisting in a sin habitually, that is known publicly by the members of the church, and refuses to repent of it. The Christian has received numerous opportunities to hear what the Bible teaches on that certain sin (by the eldership, the preacher, or some brethren), correction from the eldership (or the brethren), reproof from the eldership (or the brethren), the outpouring of love from the eldership (or the brethren) to repent of their sin, and the special, abiding fellowship that they have had in the past that can no longer be sustained if this Christian persists in their sin (2 Timothy 3:16,17). We are not necessarily referring to the sin of fornication or adultery in this context (Matthew 5:31,32; 19:1-12) because we understand in the nature of this case that the innocent spouse would have the Divine right to put that guilty mate away for that reason (although it would be best if the couple could work it out through repentance and a restoration of the marriage). How should a faithful Christian spouse treat an unfaithful spouse who has been withdrawn from by the congregation?
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The New Testament teaches that the church belongs to Jesus and must be handled the way Jesus sees fit (Matthew 16:18-19; 28:18; Acts 20:28; Colossians 3:17; 1 Timothy 3:15; etc.). An essential part of the doctrine of Christ is the topic of church discipline (Heed the warning of subtracting from God’s Word: 2 John 1:9-11; Revelation 22:18-19). Some major passages addressing church discipline/withdrawal (whether it involves a false teacher, impenitent member…) are as follows: Matthew 18:15-20; Romans 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; Titus 1:10-16; 3:10-11; 2 John 1:9-11; etc.).
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