---
title: "Chapter 30: Of Church Censures | RP Testimony"
description: "Chapter 30 of the RP Testimony: Of Church Censures. Read the 2026 RPCNA Constitution text, Scripture proofs, and the corresponding Westminster Confession chapter."
canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-30-church-censures/"
source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=107"
---

# Chapter 30: Of Church Censures | RP Testimony

1. Our Lord commanded church discipline, so no church which fails to exercise it where needed can hope for His blessing. Matt. 18:18; Matt. 16:19; Rev. 2:2, 20.

2. Discipline is required by the organic nature of the Church. 1 Cor. 12:13, 25-26; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; Rev. 2:2.

3. There are many ways provided by the Lord to deal with offenses in the Church. Christians have a responsibility to admonish one another in the Lord. Some offenses may be resolved by informal counsel by one or more elders. Official discipline is to be administered by the courts of the Church, not by elders individually. Such counsel and discipline should be received in a spirit of Christian submission. Matt. 18:15-17; Gal. 6:1; Col. 3:16; Col. 1:28.

4. The authority and discipline of the Church extends to all members, irrespective of rank or station in life. Children who are baptized members are subject to that discipline.

5. Discipline should be exercised with prudence and discretion, in dependence upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit, with love both for the Lawgiver and lawbreaker.

6. We reject the view that a church member should be disciplined for everything at which another may be justly displeased.

(For specific details of discipline, see Book of Discipline.)

## For kids — a study explanation (ages 10–13)

These explanations are separate from the official text above.

Words to knowChurch disciplineThe church’s correction of wrongdoing under Christ’s authority, seeking restoration and protecting the body.ExcommunicationRemoving an unrepentant person from church membership through formal discipline.Church courtsGroups of elders who govern the church together, such as the session, presbytery, and Synod.DisciplineThe church’s teaching and correction to help its members follow Christ.

### Testimony 30.1

Christ commands church discipline. A church that refuses necessary discipline cannot expect his blessing in that neglect.

[Read original point 1 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-30-church-censures/#point-1)

### Testimony 30.2

Because church members belong to one body, wrongdoing affects the whole church and requires discipline.

[Read original point 2 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-30-church-censures/#point-2)

### Testimony 30.3

Correction may begin with members’ counsel or informal elder guidance. Formal discipline belongs to church courts acting together, rather than to an individual elder.

[Read original point 3 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-30-church-censures/#point-3)

### Testimony 30.4

Church authority and discipline apply to every member, including baptized children, regardless of social status.

[Read original point 4 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-30-church-censures/#point-4)

### Testimony 30.5

Discipline should be careful, wise, dependent on the Spirit, and loving toward both God and the person being corrected.

[Read original point 5 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-30-church-censures/#point-5)

### Testimony 30.6

Not every hurt or disagreement requires formal church discipline. The elders must judge carefully, rather than punish someone for everything that displeases another person.

[Read original point 6 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-30-church-censures/#point-6)

### Talk about it

How can loving correction help someone follow Jesus?

### Discuss and remember

Read the chapter together, then choose a question to talk about.

- Why does a loving church sometimes need to correct its members?
- How should gentleness shape the way we help someone who has done wrong?

#### Scripture to remember

Galatians 6:1

[Read the memory passage in our Bible reader →](https://ctkrp.org/bible/?q=Galatians%206%3A1)

Read the passage in context. Explain it in your own words, then practice one short phrase at a time. Review it together during the week.

#### Put it into practice

Think about how you can receive a correction without making excuses.

[Find help for family worship](https://ctkrp.org/family-worship/)

Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=107)

## Related reading

- [Church membership and life together](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/church-membership/)
- [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 25: Of the Church](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-25-church/)
- [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 62: What is the visible Church?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-62-what-is-the-visible-church/)
- [What does “Presbyterian” mean?](https://ctkrp.org/learn/what-is-presbyterian/)
- [Find teaching on church](https://ctkrp.org/sermons/?q=church)
- [Westminster Confession · Chapter 30](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-30-church-censures/)
- [Chapter 29](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-29-lords-supper/)
- [Chapter 31](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-31-synods-and-councils/)

Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-30-church-censures/