We heard that someone sinned and then repented from it long before it came to your attention as deacons. When we ask him he denies it. Can we as a church discipline him?

Answer 1

Effectively No. I am not a legal professional, but depending on the nature of your country's laws and the nature of the punishment, you might be committing a serious offense. If the punishment is physical, say a beating, you will be brought up on charges and possibly go to prison. If by discipline you mean something along the lines of, "go to your room without dessert", then I don't see the problem, nor how can you enforce the punishment. You must take into account the age of the person in question, if it is a child then the rearing of that child is not one wit your business and you need to let the parents make their own decisions. If the person in question is an adult then, good luck convicing them to let you.

Opinion His relationship with God is between him and God so take your nose out of God's business, and let God do His work. No offense intended but that is the truth.

AnswerShould you discipline him? Absolutely not.

You state he has repented of that sin a long time ago, and received God's forgiveness. As God himself said through the prophets " their sins I will remember no more". He has repented. God has forgiven him. That sin has been wiped clean. What right have YOU to judge either the person in question, or whether or not God's forgiveness is valid?

If your attitude is one of condemnation as a deacon (presumably) in your church, then there is something wrong with your Christian belief. Jesus came to preach love and forgiveness. In your few words above I see little evidence of love, forgiveness and acceptance, but a desire to rake up old sins that have now been forgotten.

So, just like Philemon is asked to do to his slave Onesimus, welcome your Christian brother with acceptance and love. Remember that judgment and discipline is God's responsibility, not yours.