OC | Question 90

92. How is the kingdom of heaven closed and opened by Christian discipline?

Those who, though called Christians, profess unchristian teachings or live unchristian lives, and after repeated and loving counsel refuse to abandon their errors and wickedness, and after being reported to the church, that is, to its officers, fail to respond also to their admonition–such persons the officers exclude from the Christian fellowship by withholding the sacraments from them, and God himself excludes them from the kingdom of Christ.240 Such persons, when promising and demonstrating genuine reform, are received again as members of Christ and of his church.241

^ 240. Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 5:3-5, 11-13; 2 Thess. 3:14-15
^ 241. Luke 15:20-24; 2 Cor. 2:6-11