1950 This Means Everlasting Life - A2Z.org

190 "THIS MEANS EVERLASTING LIFE"
ing it confidential between us and him. We will
not nurse hurt feelings and watch for a chance to
get even with him, but we will try to recover him
from the bad effects of his sin by our opening his
eyes to it and making a way for restoring peaceful
relations . We will follow Jesus' instructions :
15
"It is not a desirable thing with my Father
who is in heaven for one of these little ones to
perish. Moreover, if your brother commits a sin,
go lay bare his fault between you and him alone .
If he listens to you, you have gained your brother .
But if he does not listen, take along with you one
or two more, in order that at the mouth of two
or three witnesses every matter may be established.
If he does not listen to them, speak to the
congregation . If he does not listen even to the
congregation, let him be to you just as a man of
the nations and as a tax collector ."-Matthew
18 :14-17, NW.
16
Speaking at last to the congregation does not
mean calling for a so-called "church trial", in
which the whole congregation sits both as a jury
and as a body of judges to hear the matter and
to pass judgment, with likely the congregation becoming
divided and indulging in a lot of wrangling
and internal disturbance . It means this : Let the
injured one approach the representative brothers
of the congregation, those who are appointed to
official service through the Theocratic organiza-
15 . What were Jesus' instructions governing such a
case?
16 . What does speaking at last to the congregation
mean?