What harm is there in a group studying the bible? What's wrong with a group gathering on a weeknight or prior to services and just studying the scriptures? Have you been asked these questions? On the surface it sounds so smooth and healthy. Elder C. H. Cayce in the excerpt below plainly states the opposition that he had to such happenings among the Old Baptists. We should likewise oppose these schools being started again among our people.

 

Excerpt from the editorial writings of Elder C. H. Cayce (Volume V  page 428) 

"Do we find any precept or example in the Book for a Sunday School? If it is there it must be in the twenty-third chapter of Revelation. See if you can find it. It is not to be found between the first verse of the first chapter of Genesis and the last verse of the twenty-second chapter of Revelation. It is outside the Book. Then why organize such a thing? Why practice it? Is it to be like the world? "Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord."--Isa 31:1. The Sunday school is a thing of the world. It is an institution of the world. If the Primitive Baptists practice such, they are only going down to Egypt for help; they are not trusting in the Lord.
 But someone may ask, Is it wrong to meet together on Sunday, or the Sabbath day, and study the Bible? Is it wrong to have classes in Bible study? We answer by asking, Is it wrong to organize a ladies' aid society, a junior league, a senior league, a Christian endeavor society, a Baptist young People's union, or any other of the numerous societies the world has? That is the same argument the Burnamites made when they introduced the thing years ago. Usually when the thing is started it is not called a Sunday school. The Old Baptists would "catch on" to the "Racket" at once, and spurn the thing. Every time that little brat is born into an Old Baptist Church it is called a Bible class, or a Bible study, Bible hour--or some such little "no harm" name. And it usually catches the fancy of some. The little imp makes its appearance at first in some such unpretentious way. Beware! Such things are a departure from the original Baptist principles and practice"

end of excerpt 

The above excerpt by Elder Cayce is very well  stated and reflects the standing of all orderly Primitive Baptists at that time. The devil uses every device he has to deceive and take glory from God. He uses words and phrases to soften the objections of God's people until they are snared by his cunning ways. The latest 'catch phrase' to try and implement this Arminian invention is 'Pastor-led bible study'. The reason it is being used is that anyone that starts a Sunday school among the Primitive Baptists by the name 'Sunday school' will find strong  opposition. Also the name 'Bible study' will get considerable opposition. But 'Pastor-led bible study' will not generate near as much opposition.

My first experience with bible study among the old Baptists was in Birmingham Ala. My wife and I planned to attend a Wednesday night service at one of the local Primitive Baptist churches and after arriving at the church building, to our surprise no one was in the sanctuary. We went around to the lunchroom and there we found everyone setting around the lunch table with bibles in hand and the pastor was leading a 'pastor led bible study'.  This was a great shock to us and I spent many nights in study and prayer trying to reconcile that experience. At that time, I finally came to the conclusion that if a Pastor wanted to conduct a teaching service in that fashion and that no others were participating and it was neither an open floor discussion or question and answer session, then I could not completely oppose it as long as he adhered to that format.  Even though I came to that conclusion then, I felt it to be very unwise to conduct services in that manner and should be strongly discouraged.  If you maintain that a bible study is to be conducted by your pastor only and you allow no diverse opinions, debating, nor open floor discussion; which if either of these are done, in a church worship service setting, it clearly becomes unscriptural; then why call it a bible study and go somewhere other than the church sanctuary to conduct it. Why not just have another church service with your pastor teaching you the scriptures.  It appears like it is mainly for 'effect'. It is designed to generate interest among the young people and others who are not grounded in the doctrine and practices of the church. It leads to the teacher's intellectual knowledge being put on par with the scriptural way in which the Lord has provided for feeding his sheep; which is by ministers who depend upon the spirit of truth for their sermons being effective in reaching the hearer and not on their own strengths.  

It is a good practice for each of us to study the scriptures. Timothy was instructed by Paul to "study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth". (2Tim2:15) I might add that Paul was not just talking of studying the scriptures in his exhortation to Timothy. He didn't say study the scriptures but said "study to show thyself approved unto God....". There are other ways we study!  Prayer is also a good practice and we are commanded to pray, but it must be done in the proper manner and place. We are not to pray to be seen of men. Neither should we practice studying the bible in a manner that is designed to attract the world. Public worship and prayer are both authorized by the scriptures but each should not be practiced contrary to the examples found in scripture. 

The practice of gathering together for fellowship in our homes and discussing the scriptures and listening to the experiences of others is not the same as a group bible study. There is a big difference between that good practice and an organized gathering for the express purpose of someone teaching others the scriptures apart from the normal church services.  

The notion that: bible study groups are okay if conducted only by your Pastor has similarities to: " its okay to attend social dances if you only dance with your husband/wife". Both are very unwise!  They both give the wrong appearance and should not be practiced. Any Elder that starts a Sunday School in the Old Baptist church is causing a departure from the practices set up by Christ and the Apostles and is thereby encouraging evil. Those that feel strong enough that Sunday schools should be a practice of the church should go to where they are accepted and not try to change Old Baptist practices. History is repeating itself again. We have a new set of reformers among us. The Watchman of Zion must not be silent!

Elder Claude Mckee