WHEN ARE NEW TESTAMENT EXAMPLES BINDING?

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. The Bible teaches by examples.
      1. We are to follow the example of Christ. 1 Pet. 2:21
      2. We are to follow the example of Paul. 1 Cor. 11:1; Phil. 4:9
      3. There are many disapproved examples in the N.T.; e.g.,
         those of the Scribes and Pharisees, Ananias and Sapphira,
         Elymas the sorcerer.
   B. Of course, the only way we can follow the examples Jesus and
      Paul is by means of the sacred writings which reveal their
      examples.
   C. Through the years, there has been great difficulty for some
      brethren in determining which N.T. examples are binding and
      which are not.
      1. We list some common-sense ideas that hopefully will help.

I. Some examples are binding. (See chart below)
   A. We follow the example of the saints in Troas who came together
      on the first day of the week to break bread. Acts 20:7
      1. The entirety of God's word is truth. Psalm 119:160
      2. In as much as Acts 20:7 is the only passages which reveals
         the day on which the early Christians partook of the Lord's
         Supper, it is wrong to meet on any other day to partake of  
         it.
      3. If we partake of the Lord's Supper on any other day, we
         transgress God's word.
   B. A church or churches sent wages to preachers. Phil. 4:15-16; 2
      Cor. 11:8-9
      1. It is wrong for a church or churches to send to a Missionary
         Society which in turn sends wages to a preacher.

II. All examples are not binding.
   A. There are many examples in the N.T. which are not binding.
      1. This becomes evident as we study the holy Scriptures.

III. All binding examples must be supported by background information
   of some sort.
   A. We are commanded to partake of the Lord Supper. 1 Cor. 11:23-
      26
      1. The example of Acts 20:7 shows us when we are to partake
         of it.
   B. The example of Jesus washing the disciples feet is not binding.
      John 13:12-15
      1. "Washing feet" was part of the home activities. 1 Tim. 5:9-
         10
      2. Washing the saints feet was not a church ordinance.
         a. N.T. principles are binding, not the customs of N.T.
            times.
   C. Jesus' example of humble service to one another is binding.    
      John 13:14-15

IV. Binding examples must not contradict other Biblical principles,
   but must harmonize with all truth.
   A. Someone asked, "If you bind 'the first day' in Acts 20:7, why
      don't you bind "meeting in the upper room' in Acts 20:8?"
      1. We know from other passages that the disciples met in many
         different places.
         a. In a school. Acts 19:9
         b. In the temple. Acts 2:46; 5:19-20
         c. In a synagogue. James 2:2 The word "assembly" is the
            word "synagogue" in the original Greek.
         d. In homes. Rom. 16:3-5; 1 Cor. 16:19
      2. Jesus taught that the time was coming when the place of
         worship would not matter. John 4:19-24

V. Uniformity of details in other examples must be consistent for any
   binding example.
   A. For example, if there was an example of the disciples meeting  
      on other days to partake of the Lord's supper, the first day   
      would not be binding.
   B. The disciples were commanded to go preach. Matt. 28:18-20
      1. They used various methods in going: by ship, walking, etc.
         Acts 20:6,13
      2. Thus, today, we can use various methods in going;
         automobile, airplane, etc.

VI. No example is binding in situations other than those set forth in
   the inspired record of the action.
   A. The early Christians had a communion of goods. Acts 2:44-45;
      4:32-35
      1. They had a sharing of goods because of the present need.
         a. Many of the devout Jews had come from a distance and
            their sojourn was longer than expected.
         b. It is similar to a family going to a certain place on a  
            two-week vacation, and, due to the unseen circumstances,
            staying in that place for several months.
         c. Their funds would soon be depleted.
      2. After the death of Stephen, they began returning home and
         preaching everywhere. Acts 8:3-4
   B. The example of those early disciples (a sharing of goods) is
      binding when the circumstances are the same.
      1. In other words, when there is a particular need, Christians,
         who have the ability, should sell various things in order to
         provide for the needs of their brethren.

VII. A divinely given example excludes all humanly devised actions.
   A. A binding example constitutes the only way a thing can be done.
      1. We are not to go beyond what's written. 1 Cor. 4:6; 2 John
         9; Matt. 15:9; Gal. 1:6-9
   B. The example of baptism "in water" is binding. Acts 8:36-39
      1. There is no passage which says that we should baptize "only"
         in water. All we have is the example of it being done in
         water.
      2. I heard of a situation where a young preacher who was with
         some young people at a ski resort. When some of the young
         people wanted to be baptized, the young preacher baptized
         them in snow because, supposedly, it was the only thing
         available at the time.
   C. The example of elders (more than one) in every church is       
      binding. Acts 14:23
      1. There is no command to have a plurality of elders in every
         church.
      2. However, because in every example in the N.T. there were
         "elders" in churches, it is binding on us to have "elders"
         (more than one) in our churches today.
   D. As we mentioned, there are examples of churches sending wages
      to preachers. Phil. 4:15-16; 2 Cor. 11:8-9
      1. To have a sponsoring church arrangement where churches
         send to a church (a sponsoring church) which in turn sends
         to preachers, is from man not God.
      2. There are no examples in the N.T. of churches sending to
         other churches to preach the gospel.

Concl.
   A. I truly believe that brethren can be united on which examples  
      are binding, and which are not, if they have a genuine desire  
      to do so.
      1. Love of truth and a strong determination not to transgress
         the word of God are vitally important.
   B. It has been my experience in the past, when brethren want to
      justify something there are already doing, they raise all kinds
      of questions and doubts regarding binding examples.
      1. Binding examples exclude all humanly devised practices;
         thus, they reject binding examples.
      2. The problem is that they want their humanly devised
         practices.
   C. Remember 1 Pet. 2:21; Phil. 4:9
      1. We can determine which examples are binding - if we have a
         sincere desire to do the will of God.
      2. Let us love God and abide in His truth.

Chart:
When are new testament examples binding?
1. Some examples are binding.
2. All examples are not binding.
3. All binding examples must be supported by background information  
   of some sort.
4. Binding examples must not contradict other Biblical principles,   
   but must harmonize with all truth.
5. Uniformity of details in other examples must be consistent for any
   binding example.
6. No example is binding in situations other than those set forth in 
   the inspired record of the action.
7. A divinely given example excludes all humanly devised actions.