Bible Questions and Answers

What happened to those who disobeyed leaders in the Bible?

It is God who must be obeyed. The penalty for disobeying God is death. The penalty will not be exacted until the resurrection.

In Christ, there is no penalty prescribed for disobeying leaders. Godly leaders will pray for those who will not listen to them.

If a leader speaks the words of God from the scriptures and we take no notice then we will be judged for our disobedience to the word of God at the resurrection.

If a leader’s words are contrary to the words of God from the scripture, obedience is not required and there is no penalty.

Disobedience to Christ carried no penalty in this life. All is deferred to the judgment at resurrection.

John 12:47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

Those who are leaders should follow the example of their master in the matter of disobedience.

A leader’s objective is to save men, not to punish them.

2 Timothy 4:1,2 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

In the matter of one sinning privately against another the procedure is clearly laid out.

Matthew 18:15-17 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 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. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Those who sin openly are to be rebuked openly in the church.

1 Timothy 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

Leaders are to feed the flock, not rule them with a rod.

I hope you have found this helpful.

May God bless you,
Glenn