When you consider the sheer volume of pluralism (the teaching that all roads lead to God) and relativism (the teaching that whatever you believe is true, that you have a right to your own interpretation); Christians must always be prepared to answer the question, "is my church Biblical?" If you were asked this question today, how would you respond? Yes. No. I hope so? Throughout my career as a financial advisor, it comes with the territory that different firms may have different views on what's best for a client. Is the risk too high? Are the fees in line with the services provided? Do the investment recommendations align with who the client is, their age, tolerance for risk, goals for income, etc.? And so, as a fiduciary, my primary objective is to first, do no harm to a client, and secondly, to align my recommendations and services to what's most important to each client while securing the best available solution. Pretty simple. And yet, another firm may take a totally different view by taking my conservative recommendation and turning it on its head by telling the same client, "you need to buy stocks and hold them indefinitely," while suggesting that's the gold-standard of investing - even though it may actually be the worst thing a client could do with his/her wealth. In a similar way, the wealth of Christian brothers and sisters is inexhaustible and far too precious to play around with because our wealth is found in the Gospel and the word of our own testimony for Christ to the world! The Gospel is "the power of God unto salvation," and we cannot and must not approach the question of whether our individual churches are Biblical or not based on a private interpretation or personal preference - in the way you'd approach deciding on a stock or a bond! And yet, that's unfortunately how many Christians approach church today. Throughout my time volunteering in ministry, I've often heard disagreements about whether or not a particular practice is Biblical, and it seems that a significant part of the debate centers around the fact that there is much confusion about what various individuals and groups actually mean when they claim that a particular practice is or is not Biblical.
If one church says they'd like everyone to remove their shoes when entering the building, well, that' s one thing, but when they demand it to be so, they've entered into a dangerous territory, much like that of the Pharisees of whom Jesus said, "For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers" (Matthew 23:4). Beware; therefore, of extra-biblical requirements that, like that of head-coverings, which in/of themselves can be an honorable witness, but when taken to an extreme so-called "demand" of members, is nothing more than another extra-biblical form of legalism.
For example, some people seem to think that a practice should be seen as Biblical only if we have an explicit command in the Bible to do it, while others would argue that any practice should be regarded as Biblical so long as there is no explicit prohibition against it in the Bible. Brethren, we shouldn't restrict our assessment of whether or not a practice is Biblical to carnal parameters, even if these could be important parameters. So, in this post, I'd like to offer a helpful set of 4 parameters for making such determinations:
1. Biblical Prescriptions
As Brethren in Christ, we can all agree that a practice should be accepted as Biblical if we have a Biblical prescription to do it – that is, if we have a positive command to do it. Examples of such prescriptions would be the practice of baptizing believers (Matt. 28:19) and the observance of the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:23-26). We know these practices are Biblical because the Bible clearly teaches that we must do them.
2. Biblical Prohibitions
Just as we know with certainty that a ministry practice is Biblical if we have a positive command in the Bible to do it, we know with just as much certainty that a ministry practice is not Biblical if we have a prohibition in the Bible against it.
One example of such a prohibition would be against the acceptance of homosexuality, for the Bible clearly says, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9-10).
Another example of such a prohibition would be against women teaching or having authority over men in the churches, for the Apostle Paul clearly says, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence” (1 Tim. 2:12).
3. Biblical Precedents
There's another way in which every member of the Body of Christ can discern whether a ministry practice is Biblical. We can look to see if a practice has a Biblical precedent (defined as an earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances).
One example of such a precedent would be the practice of worshiping on Sunday (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2).
Another example of such a precedent would be the inclusion of children in the worship gatherings of the church.
It's obvious that the apostle Paul assumed that children would be present with their parents at church gatherings when he included instructions for them in at least two of his epistles (Eph. 6:1-3; Col. 3:20), epistles which he expected to be publicly read when the church gathered for worship (Col. 4:16).
4. Biblical Principles
We haven’t exhausted our means of ascertaining whether a practice may be considered to be Biblical because we haven’t really addressed the matter of whether a practice is in keeping with Biblical principles. And yet, it's through the application of Biblical principles that we ascertain whether or not many practices are to be accepted as Biblical.
The Church throughout her history has recognized that much of what we do is informed not by clear Biblical prescriptions, prohibitions, or precedents, but rather by the thoughtful application of Biblical principles. Consider how the testimonial Baptist Confession of 1689, the Confession my own ministry affirms, testifies to Biblical principles: The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down or necessarily contained in the Holy Scripture, to which nothing is to be added at any time, either by new revelation of the Spirit, or by the traditions of men. Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word. There are some circumstances concerning the worship of God and church government which are common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word which are always to be observed. (Chapter 1.6)
Notice that the Confession first refers to those things which are essential and which are either expressly taught in Scripture or may be derived therefrom by way of good and necessary inference (the meaning of “necessarily contained” in the first sentence of the text cited). Yet, it also recognizes that not all matters faced by the Church are so directly addressed. And so, when we're dealing with an issue or practice for which we have no explicit teaching in Scripture, the Confession recognizes that we are to rely on our wisdom and experience as informed by “the general rules of the Word,” which, in this context, must refer to the application of the general teaching or principles of the Word of God.
One example of such an issue or practice that is not addressed directly in Scripture would be the type of music used in corporate worship in the churches. I've heard countless arguments from every angle on this subject, and I'm sure many of you have too. The Bible simply doesn’t indicate a particular style of music or song writing that should be utilized by Christians when they meet to worship. But that doesn’t mean that we must be silent about the matter, does it? Absolutely not! There are a number of principles that we may employ in addressing the issue and so, we'd want to see what the Bible says about God, about how God works in His people through the Word, about the role of the Word in worship, about the nature of the Church as the body of Christ, about attitudes we should display in worship and how music might affect these along with the unity we should seek as we worship God together, etc.
For example, if we believe that we should seek to worship God in a unified way and with one voice (as Jesus and His disciples apparently did, Matt. 26:30), we'll want to choose a style of music that is written to better enable and enhance congregational singing, rather than a style of music that is written to be performed for an audience. Music within the Body of Christ should be about Christ, should be directed as praise to God our Father, and should be a testimony of our salvation in/through the Gospel. Music should never be about conforming to the culture. It should never bring attention to ourselves, and never be the reason you are a member of a certain church. Music must always take a back seat to the preaching and teaching of God's Word.
As brothers and sisters in Christ, we should all be able to agree that there are any number of ministry practices that may not be directly addressed in Scripture in terms of a prescription, a prohibition, or a precedent, but for which we may find many Biblical principles that apply. And insofar as we seek to faithfully, wisely, and prayerfully apply these principles, we may indeed say that our practice is "Biblical." If we discover that a practice is not Biblical, let us repent and remove such a practice from us...and thank God for blessing us with the discernment to do so. Let's always deal with the question of "is my church Biblical?" from the heart of Scripture, not our feelings or traditions. Let's work together for the common good of our King of kings, for the lifting high of His name, for His glory, the good of one another, an for the hope of sinners who will hear His voice through our taking of His Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth! Amen.
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