Results from the Brothers’ Meetings in Basel and Heilbronn, 1960

Expulsion:

Expulsion is not the cutting off of a member without hope, but rather a severe punishment, so that the soul may bear righteous fruits of repentance and again obtain favor from God (Psalm 51:19). Through such punishment , the stubborn spirit of the rebellious person is to be subdued and broken . Expulsion is thus a remedy prescribed by the best physician (Matthew 18:15-18, Psalm 1:5, 1 Corinthians 5). The church of God is to bind and unite (Matthew 18:18). and the other is excluded , should also keep the whole avoidance . The exclusion must be solemnly pronounced by the elder in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 5.4)

Avoidance:

All members of the congregation must avoid the excluded person (1 Timothy 5:11, 2 Timothy 3 : 5, Titus 3:10, 2 John 10). They may neither kiss him nor call him a brother or sister , nor shake his hand , nor eat with him , nor have anything to do with him . Thus, all ties, such as client relationships , service, debt and lease relationships, partnerships , and so on , must be dissolved as soon as possible . However , the excluded person should not be coerced into doing so ; in particular , one should show all mercy to a poor person . One may also do good to an excluded person , especially if they are repentant . In cases where one is unsure about observing the avoidance , the elder brothers should be consulted . In the family circle, the following order applies :

Spouses: Spouses among themselves, where one is a believer , the other but it is excluded : For these, the abstinence concerns only the spirit, not the body ; so they may eat together , shake hands , and kiss each other in silence ( Matt . 19 : 6 )

Parents: If a father or mother is excluded and the children are believers , the believing children may eat with the excluded father or mother , but may not shake hands or kiss them ( Exodus 20:12 , Deuteronomy 5:16, Zephrem 6:2-3). Sons -in-law and daughters - in-law are not considered children.

Children: If the child is excluded and the parents are believers, the entire oath must be observed. The believers may not shake hands with the excluded child , give him a kiss , or even eat with him.

Siblings: biological siblings among themselves, where one is a believer and the other is excluded , should also keep the whole avoidance.

Unanimously adopted at the Brotherhood assemblies in Basel on October 29 , 1960, and in Heilbronn on November 26 , 1960.