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 unto thee as a heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Matthew 18:15-18.

Et andet alvorligt onde, der var opstået inden for menigheden, var, at brødrene havde retssager med hinanden. Der var draget rigelig omsorg for, at vanskeligheder kunne afgøres af de troende selv. Kristus havde selv belært dem klart om, hvordan den slags sager skulle ordnes. "Hvis din broder forsynder sig imod dig," havde Frelseren sagt, "så gå hen og sæt ham i rette under fire øjne. Hører han dig, så har du vundet din broder. Men hører han dig ikke, så tag endnu en eller to med dig, for at enhver sag kan blive afgjort efter to eller tre vidners udsagn. Men er han dem overhørig, da sig det til menigheden, men er han også menigheden overhørig, så lad ham være for dig som en hedning eller tolder. Sandelig siger jeg eder: hvad I binder på jorden, skal være bundet i Himmelen; og hvad I løser på jorden, det skal være løst i Himmelen." Matt. 18,15-18.