Question:
How long does it take when a person is put out of fellowship to be allowed back?
Answer:
As soon as the one under discipline is restored to the Lord, the assembly should receive him back into fellowship. There is a proper order before someone is disciplined by the assembly (Matthew 18:15-18), and ministering to a person’s needs is so important (Galatians 6:1,2). Discipline is the last thing the assembly desires to do, so efforts must be made to restore the offending brother or sister. If this fails, the assembly, in dependence on the Lord, may feel it necessary to administer discipline. Even then, the assembly should continue to work to restore this one to the Lord and the assembly.