The Steps of Excommunication

The seventy-seventh article of the Church Order outlines the steps or procedure that is to be followed in excommunicating the impenitent sinner from the church. It must be remembered that this is not apunishment of sin but it is the final means used in an attempt by the church to save the sinner from the inevitable punishment which God Himself will surely inflict. The church does not inflict punishment for sin. She leaves that to God. In civil spheres, since the state is given the sword power,...