12/1/2004

The Presentation below is given as a convenient aid to the reader of the article 'Are Bible Study Classes in the New Testament Church sanctioned in scripture?'. It is presented in its entirety in order to be fair to the author of the presentation. The editor of the Essential Baptist Principles does not agree with the presentations author and his conclusions concerning Bible Study Groups and minister meetings.

Bible studies and minister's meetings
Wrong or Right?

Background: For the church of the Lord Jesus Christ known as the Primitive Baptist. The Bible is the only rule of faith, and the New Testament scriptures are the only rule of practice. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (II Tim 3:16-17)

No creed, confession, or other human work - including this one - can be used in place of the scripture, nor can they add to the rule of scripture. At best, they may help explain the scriptures, and should be considered to contain some error and used with care. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Col 2:8)

Therefore, where matters of church worship are concerned, if an activity is not given by precept or approved example in the New Testament, it should not be practiced in the church. If an activity is given in the New Testament, it should be practiced in the church. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions, which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. (II Thes 2:15) Since the Lord inspired Paul to write that we should beware the traditions of men, these traditions which we should hold must be the ones given by God in His inspired word, the scriptures.

Here, the distinction must be drawn between aids to worship and the act of worship. The New Testament contains no precept or example for a meeting house, hymn books, electric lights, or benches, but these items do not change the act of worship itself, but ar4e merely aids to worship. Church prayer, however, is an act of worship (Acts 2:42, 4:23-31, 12:5) given in the New Testament and should not be omitted, set to instrumental accompaniment, confined to liturgy, or otherwise altered. Physical exercise for the elderly or recognition of children's accomplishments are activities which are good, but should not be added to worship, since they are not given by precept or example for New Testament worship.

Furthermore, the principles of liberty taught in Romans 14 and throughout the Bible (e.g., Deut 12, I Cor 8, I Cor 10) should be kept in mind. In Romans 14, we are taught that on brother may be a strict vegetarian and another brother may be a meat-eater, and both are just fine! It would be wrong for either one to criticize the other for his diet. There is liberty here, the ability to choose between two of more preferences with no condemnation. It would be wrong for these brethren to add apples or steak to the communion table, because that table is an act of church worship, but it would be fine for them to enjoy apples or steak at home. It is fine for a brother to play a guitar and sing a song which has words in praise of God, or play a hymn on a piano, or listen to "contemporary Christian" music in his car, or attend a "contemporary Christian" concert, but it would be wrong to bring that guitar or piano in as part of church worship, because there is no New Testament support for that. In Deuteronomy 12, we see that a man could kill and eat a clean animal anytime or anywhere for his own pleasure, but if he wished to sacrifice that animal in worship to the Lord, it would still be killed and eaten, but it must be done in the place and manner specified b the Lord.

In light of these beliefs, what about Bible Studies and minister's meetings - are they wrong or right? Are they unscriptural additions to worship, or a scriptural part of church activities, or a matter of liberty?

Bible Studies

I. "Bible Study" is here defined as a group of people meeting together to read and consider the scriptures, and is distinguished from a regular church worship meeting primarily by:

A. Greater opportunity for questions and dialogue.

B. Emphasis on teaching - there may or may not be singing

C. Less formality - dress may be casual, meeting may occur in home.

 

II. Bible Studies have been criticized as:

A. Having no scriptural support, just like Sunday Schools.

B. Leading to foolish questions and heresies.

C. Taking preeminence over regular church worship

 

III. Scripture seems to provide examples for Bible Studies:

A. And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, (Acts 17:2). This shows the dialogue often found in the early church, since he "reasoned with them".

B. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11) This shows the pattern of daily Bible study. We may be tempted to think that this was private study, but few people owned many books at this time, since they were copied by hand and very expensive. It is far more likely that these brethren met together around one set of Old Testament scrolls, possibly even those belonging to the synagogue (verse 10).

C. And how I have kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shown you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, (Acts 20:20) This gives example of the need for public preaching and teaching in the home.

IV. What is different about Sunday Schools?

A. Sunday Schools divide the church and families into groups according to age or circumstance, which is not scriptural.

B. Sunday Schools often have women teaching men in a public forum. (I Tim 2:12)

C. Sunday Schools require unscriptural administrative offices and organization.

V. What about Bible Studies leading to foolish questions and heresies?

A. These are to be avoided. (Titus 3:9,10, I Tim 1:4, II Tim 2:230

B. Having an ordained minister present should help avoid these.

C. These problems do occur, even with regular church worship only, and even with ordained ministers on hand.

VI. What about Bible Studies taking preeminence over church worship?

A. When people prefer the Bible Study over church worship, this is not good.

1. Gaining scriptural knowledge is important, but is not more important than giving glory to God.

2. Someone who feels this way may enjoy hearing themselves talk.

B. The Bible Study should be kept in perspective. It is a gathering of brethren with an emphasis on teaching and questions, just as a prayer meeting is a gathering of brethren with an emphasis on petitioning the Lord.

VII. The level of formality at a Bible study - or worship service - is minor issue.

A. All manner of decent dress was to be accepted in the early church (James 2:1-9)

B. Early church worship was often in homes (Acts 16:15, Rom 16:5, Col 4:15), and Baptists have only met in meeting house for the past 400 years or so.

 

Ministers' Meetings

I. "Ministers' Meeting" is here defined as a gathering of brethren meeting together to read and consider the scriptures, and is distinguished from a regular church worship meeting primarily by:

A. Greater opportunity for questions and dialogue.

B. Emphasis on teaching - there may or may not be singing.

C. Less formality - dress may be casual, meeting may occur in home.

D. Attendance is usually ordained elders or exercising brethren and the topics discussed are usually those dealing with preaching or pastoral work.

II. Ministers' Meeting have been criticized as:

A. Having no scriptural support, just like seminaries or conventions.

B. Giving certain ministers preeminence over others.

III. Scripture seems to provide examples for Ministers' meetings.

A. Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. (Acts 13:1,2) It seems as though Antioch Church was having a Ministers' Meeting.

B. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. (Acts 15:6) this was to decide the relationship of he Mosaic Law and salvation, and establish church policy, and included the apostle.

C. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church (acts 20:17) these elders met with Paul, forming a ministers' meeting.

D. Only Luke is with me. Take mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. (II Tim 4:11) Paul planed for himself, Luke, Timothy, and Mark to get together. At least two were ministers, and possibly all four.

IV. What is different about seminaries or conventions?

A. Seminaries award a degree, thus conferring authority or license to those who attend and graduate. Only the church has this power by New Testament teaching. (I Tim 4:14, II Tim 2:2, Titus 1:5)

B. Conventions establish policy. Only the church is authorized to do this by New Testament teaching, and even then the policies must be subject to scripture. (I Cor 6:2-5, I Cor 16:3, Acts 6:3)

C. An orderly Ministers' meeting should avoid conferring authority or setting policy, and endeavor to share light, encouragement, and fellowship. Although topics and format may be of greatest interest to preachers, it would seem to be error to exclude brethren or sisters who are not. Regularity of meeting times is probably a matter of liberty.

V. Do Ministers' meetings give certain ministers preeminence over others?

A. If the meeting does not confer authority or set policy, the only possible preeminence is who is chosen to speak - which is the same task that a pastor or preaching committee faces at a worship service with several ordained brethren present.

B. Thus, choosing speakers at such a meeting should be done with prayer and humility

 

Conclusion

There is scriptural example for both Bible Studies and Ministers' meetings. The scriptural references (at least those cited here) may not be as abundant or as direct as some might desire. There seems to be, however, more New Testament support for Bible Studies than for Primitive Baptist newspapers, and more New Testament support for Ministers meetings than for associations.

Martin K. Smith
December 1996