miseries that come upon mankind through ambitious passions". Verse 11For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.Verse 11 is present in some ancient texts but not in others. It appears in the Textus Receptus, and the King James Version includes it, but the New International Version omits it and the omission in the NU text is noted in a footnote in the New King James Version. The local church (18:12–35) Commentator John Philips looks at this chapter in relation to the local church or community of believers. Restoring backsliders (18:12–14) The threefold function of a local church is not only to receive new believers into its midst (cf. 18:1–11), but also to restore of backsliders and to reconcile brethren (18:15–35). The restoration of backsliders is illustrated by Jesus in a story of the lost sheep and the loving shepherd, which is more fully told and elaborated into a three-part story in Luke 15 concerning a lost sheep, a lost piece of silver, and a lost son. Reconciling brethren (18:15–35) The third of the threefold functions of a local church (after receiving new believers in 18:1–11 and restoring backsliders in 18:12–14) is to reconcile brethren. Allison observes that "as soon as [Jesus] finishes the subject of disciplinary measures, he talks about reconciliation and forgiveness. The pastoral effect is to strike a balance". Jesus teaches that the attempt to reconcile a brother involves three steps: the Christian Love Rules (18:15), the Common Law Rules (18:16) and the Christian Leaders Rule (18:17–20), which is followed by an exposition of forgiveness (18:21–22) accompanied by a parable about a man whose debt is forgiven but refused to forgive others and therefore is punished (18:23–35). Verses 15-17 are of particular significance to Baptists in their support of the principle of autonomy of the local church. Verse 17And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.If a sinner remains recalcitrant, even after the matter is brought to the whole community, then the person must be regarded as "outside the community" ("excommunication"). Verse 18Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.'' Cross reference: Matthew 16:19, John 20:23 See also Parables of