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Are “Examples” Binding
(Authority) for Christians?

Introduction:

  1. This is an issue that many have not confronted.

  2. The Bible is full of examples, accounts of what someone did, said, thought, or performed.

  3. The question before us is: When and to what extent is the example binding on us?

  4. BINDING – This is an important word. We are not asking what is acceptable, wise, a good way to do something. The issue is: Is this THE way, the ONLY way, that some action can be performed?

Can an account of action in the Old Testament be binding on men living today?

  1. As a law in force as to its specific details, the Old Testament has been repealed.

    1. The Old Testament (the Law of Moses) was addressed only to the Jews. (Deuteronomy 5:1-3)

    2. The Old Testament (Law of Moses) did not offer absolute salvation from sins. (Hebrews 9:11-12; Hebrews10:3-4)

    3. The Old Testament (Law of Moses) has been done away.

      1. Colossians 2:14

      2. Galatians 4:21-31

      3. 2 Corinthians 3:1-13

      4. Hebrews 8:8-10

      5. Hebrews 10:9

      6. Hebrews 11 (entire chapter) and including 12:1-2

  2. Yet, the principles set forth in the Old Testament are binding on men living today.

    1. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – Scriptures (OT) is inspired of God

    2. 1 Corinthians 10:6 – These are examples for us

    3. Romans 15:4 – Written for our learning

    4. Jude 5 – I would remind (of their example)

    5. This can be seen in the fact of the infinite Immutable God

    6. Other attributes of God are also relevant – Goodness, Love, Kindness, Mercy

    7. Luke 17:32 – Remember Lot’s wife

  1. How the principle involved in various accounts of action in the Old Testament is seen to be binding on men living today.

    1. Cain and Abel – Genesis 4 (Hebrews 11:4)

    2. Noah and the Ark – Genesis 6-9 (Hebrews 11:7; 1 Peter 3:20-21)

    3. Abraham offering Isaac – Genesis 22:1-14 (Hebrews 11:17-19)

    4. Nadab and Abihu – Leviticus 10:1-2

    5. David and the new cart – 1 Chronicles 13:1-15; 2 Samuel 6:1-11

    6. Israel falling in the wilderness – Numbers 13-14; 1 Corinthians 10:6-11; Jude 5

  2. What conclusions follow from the foregoing material?

    1. No Old Testament statement – whether it be a direct command, a declaration, an account of action, etc. – can be binding in specific detail on men living today – BUT – such can be binding in principle on men living today.

    2. Some PRINCIPLES which can be learned – from the total context of the various accounts of action in the Old Testament – to be binding on men living today.

      1. To please God we must act by faith

      2. Faith without works is dead

      3. One may act in sincerity and be in disobedience.

      4. Each individual is responsible for what they do

      5. To do, in religion, that for which there is no divine authority is to be guilty of sin

Can accounts of action in the New Testament be binding on men living today?

  1. Classification of actions described in the New Testament

    1. Acceptable

    2. Unacceptable

  2. Sub-classification of actions

    1. Acceptable

      1. Obligatory

      2. Optional

    2. Unacceptable

      1. Explicitly forbidden

      2. Implicitly forbidden

      3. Forbidding what God allows

      4. Binding what God has not taught to be essential

  3. More specific divisions

    1. Action which was permanently sinful

    2. Action which was optional and temporary

    3. Action which was optional and permanent

    4. Action which was obligatory and temporary

    5. Action which was obligatory and permanent

  1. Some accounts of actions in the New Testament considered individually and in detail.

Actions which are permanent and sinful

      1. Matthew 26:4a – Kissing of Jesus by Judas, betrayal

      2. Matthew 26:69-70 – Peter denies Christ

      3. Galatians 2:12 – Peter’s hypocrisy

      4. Acts 8:18-19 – Attempt to buy power of apostles

      5. 2 Timothy 4:10 – Demas loved this present world

      6. Revelation 2:14-15 – Allow false teachers to teach

      7. Revelation 2:4 – Left their first love

      8. 1 Corinthians 5:1 – Fornication

Actions which are optional and temporary

      1. Acts 10:27-28 – Association with Gentiles

      2. Acts 21:26 – Observed the day of purification

      3. Acts 20:16 – Wants to be at Jerusalem for Pentecost

Actions which are optional and permanent

      1. Acts 13:4 – Sailed to Cyprus

      2. Acts 20:7-8 – Upper room, at night
        See also Luke 22:8-12 – instituted in upper room, at night

      3. 2 Corinthians 8:3 – Give liberally

      4. Acts 15:22-32 – Churches helping other churches

      5. 2 Corinthians 11:8 – Paying the preacher

      6. Acts 11:29-30 – Helping needy brethren

Actions which are obligatory and temporary

      1. Acts 8:6 – Miraculous gifts

      2. Acts 3:6-8 – Healing the lame man

Actions which are obligatory and permanent

      1. Acts 20:7 – Lord’s Supper on Sunday

      2. Acts 2:36 – Preaching with logic and evidence

      3. Acts 2:42 – Continued in the Apostle’s teaching, breaking bread, fellowship and prayers

      4. Acts 16:25 – Praying and singing hymns to God

      5. Acts 5:27-29 – Obey God rather than men

      6. Acts 8:35 – Preaching Jesus includes the use of Scripture

Summary Conclusion:

A course of action in the New Testament is binding to the extent that it illustrates what is required.

NOTE: The outline and major points were adapted from two chapters in the book, When is an “Example” Binding?, by Thomas B. Warren, 1975

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