The Acts of the Apostles (1911) — PDF Scan 310

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304 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES even the low standard of morality held by the Gentile world. The apostle pleaded with the church to put away from among them "that wicked person.'^ ''Know ye not," he admonished them, ''that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump! Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened." Another grave evil that had arisen in the church was that of brethren going to law against one another. Abundant provision had been made for the settlement of difficulties among believers. Christ Himself had given plain instruction as to how such matters were to be adjusted. "If thy brother shall trespass against thee," the Saviour had counseled, "go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be imto thee as a heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, A¥hatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."' To the Corinthian believers who had lost sight of this plain counsel, Paul wrote in no uncertain terms of admonition and rebuke. "Dare any of you," he asked, "having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy *Matt. 18:15-18.