1. When Is A New Testament Example Binding? Lesson 12
A Study Of Authority
When Is A New Testament Example Binding?
Lesson 12

2. When Is A New Testament Example Binding?
Certainly the Bible teaches by example.
Philippians 3:17; 4:9; 1 Corinthians 4:16,17; 1 Corinthians 11:1, 23; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-9
We learn WHEN to observe the Lord’s Supper by approved example. Acts 20:7

3. When Is A New Testament Example Binding?
Acts. 20:8 speaks of them being in an upper room.
Why is the "first day of the week" binding as a commandment, but the "upper chamber" is not binding?

4. The Rule Of Uniformity Uniformity in Conversion.
Conversion was brought about by preaching, teaching, and learning of the Word of God. (Acts 2:40-41; 8:5, 35; 9:6, 17-18; 22:16) cf. Romans 10:17; Matthew 11:28f; John 6:44

5. The Rule Of Uniformity Uniformity in the Lord's Supper.
The fact that the Lord's Supper was observed by the early church on the first day of the week and only upon the first day, is significant. Acts 20:7

6. The Rule Of Uniformity
Apply this rule to the question of church cooperation.
Evangelism … 2 Corinthians 11:8-9; Philippians 1:3-5; 4:15-18.
Benevolence … 1 Corinthians 16:1-3; 2 Corinthians 8-9; Romans 15:25ff; Acts 11:27-30.
No variation of the pattern, therefore centralizing of funds and Sponsoring churches excluded. mm

7. The Rule Of Uniformity
The work of evangelism. 1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Corinthians 9:14; Acts 11:22; Acts 13:3; Philippians 4:15; 2 Corinthians 11:8-9.
This: Not This:
Ch.
Ch.
preacher
M.S. Or
S.Ch.
Ch.
preacher
Ch.
preacher
Ch.
Ch.
Ch.

8. The Rule Of Uniformity The work of benevolence. This: Not This:
Acts 2,4,6
Acts 11:27
Reason for giving:
“that there might be equality”
2 Corinthians 8:14
1 Corinthians 16:1-3
2 Corinthians 8-9
Romans 15:25ff

9. The Rule Of Materiality
Things which are INCIDENTAL.
The place of baptism.
Whether people on the day of Pentecost were baptized in a natural stream, an artificial pool, or a reservoir of water in the city of Jerusalem is entirely incidental. (Acts 2:38-41)
The design, action, and results accomplished were exactly the same in any event.

10. The Rule Of Materiality
Things which are INCIDENTAL.
The place of worship.
Whether the gospel is preached in a temple of worship, by the riverside, or in the jail house, is a matter that is neither relevant nor material to the conversion of the sinner.
The truth preached, believed, and obeyed constituted conversion under any circumstances.

11. The Rule Of Materiality
Things which are INCIDENTAL.
The place of worship.
Whether Christians assemble under the branches of a tree, in a rented hall, in a private home, or in a building owned by them is a matter of indifference completely.
The assembly of the saints in worship in spirit and truth is the essential whether in Jerusalem or Bagdad. (John 4:21-24)
Whether the Lord's Supper is observed in an upper room, on the third story of a house, or one story is entirely immaterial. (Matthew 18:20)

12. The Rule Of Materiality
Things which are ESSENTIAL.
Immersion for baptism.
Whether or not one is immersed is a matter of importance.
Every example is of immersion. (Acts 8:36-39)
Other scriptures show that it is a "burial". (Romans 6:4-5; Colossians 2:12)

13. The Rule Of Materiality
Things which are ESSENTIAL.
Elements used in the Lord's Supper.
Whether unleavened bread and fruit of the vine or ice cream and cake are used is a material matter.
This was determined by the Lord and thus unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine are constituent elements of the supper He ordained. (Luke 22:1, 18-20)

14. The Rule Of Materiality
Things which are ESSENTIAL.
Elders jurisdiction over the congregation in which they have been made elders. cf. Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:2
The sponsoring church arrangement where funds and oversight are centralized in one eldership violates a very material and essential principle of N.T. church identity … its government.

15. The Rule Of Materiality
This: Not This:
Ch.
Ch.
M.S.
B.S.
S.Ch.
Ch.
Ch.
Ch.
Ch.
Ch.

16. Rule Of Universal Application
The impartial character of God demands this rule. (Romans 2:11; Acts 10:34-35)
The gospel with all its requirements and blessings is for all. (Mark 16:15-16)

17. Rule Of Universal Application
ILLUSTRATION:
Whether the Eskimo in his igloo or the African in his hut or under a tree has a first day of the week upon which he can "assemble to eat the Lord's supper."
The "Upper Room" does not possess the quality of universal application, lest we have to teach EsKimo's how to build three story igloo's as a necessity to observing the Lord's supper.

18. Rule Of Apples & Oranges The Rule of Limited Application or Legitimate Extension
Do similar circumstances exist which prompted the action? cf. Matthew 12:1-8
ILLUSTRATIONS:
Selling our property and having community property.
The community of property practiced by the Jerusalem church was not intended for general practice, but was practiced only under special circumstances. Acts 2:45; 4:32

19. Rule Of Apples & Oranges The Rule of Limited Application or Legitimate Extension
Do similar circumstances exist which prompted the action? cf. Matthew 12:1-8
ILLUSTRATIONS:
Washing the Feet Of The Saints. John 13:1-11
Greet One Another With A Holy Kiss. Romans 16:16; 1 Peter 5:14

20. Rule Of Apples & Oranges The Rule of Limited Application or Legitimate Extension
The work of evangelism. 1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Corinthians 9:14; Acts 11:22; Acts 13:3; Philippians 4:15; 2 Corinthians 11:8-9.
This: Not This:
Ch.
Ch.
preacher
M.S. Or
S.Ch.
Ch.
preacher
Ch.
preacher
Ch.
Ch.
Ch.

21. Rule Of Apples & Oranges The Rule of Limited Application or Legitimate Extension
The work of benevolence.
This: Not This:
Acts 2,4,6
Acts 11:27
Reason for giving:
“that there might be
equality” 2 Corinthians 8:14
1 Corinthians 16:1-3
2 Corinthians 8-9
Romans 15:25ff

22. Rule Of Apples & Oranges The Rule of Limited Application or Legitimate Extension
Reason for one CHURCH giving to another CHURCH: “that there might be equality”
2 Corinthians 8:14
One church giving to another church for:
-Evangelism:
-Edification:
-Entertainment:
Passage? _________
Passage? _________

23. The Rule Of Unity Or The Rule Of Harmony
Each passage must be interpreted in the light of whatever and all else God has said on the same theme.
Truth is always in harmony with truth. (1 Corinthians 1:10; 14:33).
To construe any example in such a way that violates any precept of truth is not handling aright the word of truth. cf. 2 Timothy 2:15

24. The Rule Of Unity Or The Rule Of Harmony
ILLUSTRATIONS:
Support of preachers:
While Paul was at Corinth he did not receive wages of them. (2 Corinthians 11:8-9)
Does this example establish that it is wrong for preachers to be supported by the brethren with whom they labor?
NO! cf. 1 Corinthians 9:11-16

25. The Rule Of Competence
The evidence must actually be competent to support the claim that is made for it. Practices which we are anxious to justify are too often presumed to be right when in fact the evidence is nonexistent. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

26. The Rule Of Competence ILLUSTRATIONS:
Infant baptism is based on the presumption that examples like that of the household of Lydia included infants being baptized. Acts 16:14
However, to conclude this, one would have to reason that probably Lydia was married; that perhaps she had children; likely these children were infants; and probably she had brought them with her to Philippi; a city far distant from her home of Thyatira.
The evidence is not competent to support the claim of infant baptism, for it is based on “probably,” “perhaps,” “likely,” etc. (cf. Acts 8:12)

27. The Rule Of Competence Sponsoring church from Acts 11:27-30; 12:25
ILLUSTRATIONS:
Sponsoring church from Acts 11:27-30; 12:25
Assumes that Judea means Jerusalem in this text; that Jerusalem was the only church that had elders; and that they received and distributed it, thus becoming a sponsoring eldership.
Truth reveals that there were several churches in Judea. 1 Thessalonians 2:14; Galatians 1:22
Divine precept fixes the jurisdiction of elders. Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2. cf. Acts 14:23
Evidence is not competent to support the claim that Jerusalem became the sponsoring church for all Judea.

28. Conclusion:
"If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from myself." John 7:17
Let us determine to do not our own will, but the will of God.
When there is no precept, approved example, or necessary inference that includes the practice under consideration, there is no authority for such practice and it must be rejected.
God's silence rules against it and to engage in such a practice is to add to the law of God.

29. Conclusion:
"If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from myself." John 7:17
Let us learn to speak where the Bible speaks, but learn to be silent where the Bible is silent. 1 Peter 4:11; 2 John 9-11