God's Authority - Examples

There are three ways that we obtain authority and direction from the Bible: Command, Example and Necessary Inference.  This article will consider the second of these, approved apostolic example.  There is no direct statement in the Bible that prescribes these three methods, so we must be careful to establish that, in making this claim, we are not going beyond (as in 2 John 9) .  Let’s take it one step at a time.  As we discussed in the last article, God’s direct commands that are recorded in the New Testament are binding on us today.  The writings of Paul (and by extension, the other New Testament writers as well) were to be viewed as the commandments of God (1 Cor 14:37): “If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment.”

  Approved apostolic examples are binding, and they are only binding because God commanded us to follow them.  First, the examples of Christ (1 Pet 2:21): “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps...”  Then, the examples of the apostles (1 Cor 11:1): “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”  (Phil 3:17): “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.” (Phil 4:9): “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.”  The only conclusion that one can draw from these (and the many other passages like them) is that approved apostolic examples have the same binding power as do direct commands, because we are commanded to follow them.

How Do Examples Apply?

Look at the example of Job’s wife: “Then his wife said to him, ‘Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!’” (Job 2:9).  Obviously, this is not an example for us to follow today.  This is why we qualify the word by talking of “approved apostolic examples.”  This limits consideration to only practices approved by the apostles.

Whenever we get into a discussion of such examples, it seems that some want to cast derision on the whole process by saying things like: “We do a lot of things without example.  What about song books and church buildings?  And we don’t follow all the examples.  What about meeting in upper rooms?”

Those who make such remarks show little regard for moving the discussion ahead and answering the question posed in our title, or, for that matter, the questions they are raising themselves.  However, these are legitimate questions that  can and should be answered.  But first, we must ask: what are you promoting?  Are you saying that we should ignore all examples?  If so, you are in direct contradiction to the scriptural evidence presented on our first page.

We might do some things without example, but we should never do anything in religion without authority.  Examples are just one of the three ways for establishing authority.  Many details mentioned in the New Testament are incidental and not intended to be made into doctrine.  In such cases there are usually counter examples, which demonstrate that the detail is not there for binding.

All apostolic examples apply to us today.  However, some apply only in principle (e.g., Acts 3:1;  4:32), while others contain important details (Acts 20:7).  It is up to each one of us to study our Bibles and to rightly divide God’s word in this regard (2 Tim. 2:15).  The vast majority of issues are easy to resolve, and on these we can and should stand firm.  On those which provide a greater challenge, we should continue to study and apply ourselves to doing our best to resolve them in a way that will not offend anyone’s conscience needlessly. 

While some might attack this as a subjective process, we respond that nothing is more subjective than disregarding the Biblical examples altogether.  They are essential to a know-    ledge of God.

Ye often hear it said ...

“If it was good enough for Momma, it’s good enough for me.”

but Jesus said (Mt. 10:36) ...

“...a man's enemies will be the members of his household.”

Clearly Jesus was not anti-family.  However, he realized the great extent to which we are influenced by those who we love the most. When those who are closest to us lead us to sin, they become our greatest enemies.  We can withstand the temptation from those who are not close to us emotionally.

Yet it is extremely difficult to resist being tempted by those we love.  Thus, Adam had a very difficult time resisting the temptation posed by Eve.  The devil knew how to get to him. We should not be ignorant of his devices.

In this day and age it seems more parents are drawn away by their children than the other way around.  Youth has the power today, both in influence and economically.  Many parents want to relive their youth through their children.  In this endeavor they often fail to provide the discipline that is essential to a healthy family.  This discipline must start with the very earliest love of the infant.  When we fail to consistently demonstrate our disapproval for misbehavior, or fail to praise them when good (which takes time and patience), we fall into the devil’s hands.  The behavior that we create and reward in our children will either produce the greatest of blessings (3 Jn. 4) or the greatest of grief (2 Sam. 19:4).  Take time now to teach your children love and respect for God and His word. You will never regret it.