Things We Learn By Approved Example

I have talked to a number of brethren through the years who say approved examples are not binding, and their reasoning is usually that it is sometimes hard to determine which examples are binding. I agree to some extent it is hard to tell, but that is backwards reasoning. That would be like saying since the command in II Tim 4:13 (“The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.”) is not binding today, therefore it is hard to tell which commands are binding, and so no commands are binding.

And how did we determine that command was not binding on us? That’s the same method we should use to tell if an example is binding today.

We don’t determine if something is right by how hard it is to carry out the instruction (else Abraham should have rejected God’s instruction to sacrifice his own son), but the way to determine if examples are binding is always going to be: Does the Bible teach examples are binding? Just because we are unsure of whether or not one or two examples are binding, doesn’t mean we can’t be sure about many others. As one of my mentors Carroll Sutton put it → Just because I don’t know everything, that doesn’t mean I am going to throw away what I do know.

Ways The Bible Authorizes/Teaches

Perhaps we should start by briefly mentioning some of the ways the Bible authorizes/teaches, and give an illustrative example for each:

· Command – Matthew 28:19-20 commands us to preach the gospel

· Statement – Mark 16:16 states that belief and baptism are necessary to salvation

· Approved Example – Acts 20:7 demonstrates we should eat the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week

· Necessary Implication – Hebrews 9:28 “Christ … shall appear the second time” necessarily implies His coming won’t just be a figurative coming in judgment (the 70 AD theory) – because that has happened many times in the past, not just once. It would have read the 9th or 14th time if that were the case.

· Question – I Corinthians 14:16 establishes God’s approval for saying Amen at the end of someone else’s prayer

· Assumed – Matt 6:16-17 Jesus assumed Christians would fast – that would be just as good as a command to do so

· Regulation – Deuteronomy 21:15-17 it is understood polygamy was allowed in the Old Testament because it was regulated

· Exceptive Clause – Matthew 19:9 teaches a person may divorce their spouse for fornication and remarry and not commit adultery

Consequently, let me hasten to point out that we don’t learn by example only. We should never smart-alecky say “Where is the example?” regarding any questioned practice, implicitly rejecting other means of authority.

Approved Examples Are Binding

Next let’s establish from Bible commands/statements that we are to follow approved examples:

· Philippians 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

· I Cor 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

· Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

· II Thessalonians 3:9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us

· I Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

· Hebrews 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

· I Thess 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord

So the Bible says we learn by approved New Testament example, and we can’t just pick and choose which ones we like.

Next let’s go through some things we learn by approved example that we are all very familiar with …

First Day Of The Week Lord’s Supper

We’ve already mentioned Acts 20:7 which reads “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.” Faithful Christians understand we are to eat the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week because of this approved example. Not because of a command, but by example.

Bread And Fruit Of The Vine On The Lord’s Supper

We learn by example that we are to eat bread and drink fruit of the vineas part of the Lord’s Supper. I Corinthians 11:23-26 says “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.” And Matthew 26:29 – But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.

Baptism Is Immersion

We learn by example that baptism is immersion from texts such as Acts 8:38-39 “And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.” Romans 6:4 teaches the same thing by statement.

A Christian Can Fall From Grace

We learn by example that a Christian can fall from grace. Notice Acts 8:

12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip …

22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

Simon had believed also (genuinely just like the other Samaritans) and then was baptized → so he was saved just like all the others (Mark 16:16). He tried to buy the power to lay on hands (impart the miraculous). He needed to be forgiven, that is, he was “in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity” (he was in a lost state). Simon the Sorcerer is therefore an example of a Christian who fell from grace.

Perhaps The Most Approved Example In The New Testament

Acts 17:11 reads “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.” Can you think of a more approved example in all of the Bible? The Bereans compared what was being preached to what the scripture says. They are said to be noble for doing so. I am thinking all believers (true Christians and even denominational people) agree we should follow this example. So everyone admits we do learn by example – at least some examples.

More Verses From Which We Learn By Example

Following are some more verses from which we learn things by example:

· Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized …

· Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

· Acts 9:26 … Saul … assayed to join himself to the disciples …

· Acts 10:25-26 … Cornelius … fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man

· Acts 12:5 … prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God …

· Acts 13:3 And when they had … laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

· Acts 14:23 when they had ordained them elders in every church … (if men are qualified I Tim 3:1ff, Tit 1:5ff)

· Acts 16:40 … when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them …

· Acts 20:27 I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

· Acts 21:5b … and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.

· Acts 28:8 … Paul … prayed (for) … the … sick …

· II Cor 5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men …

When we don’t do other things the New Testament teaches by approved example, then are we betraying the fact that we don’t really believe we learn by example, but that instead it is just an excuse to bind the first day of the week Lord’s Supper? Let’s talk about three more Bible requirements in particular …

Personal Evangelism – Binding Examples

There are many occasions where New Testament saints tried to reach the lost. Some examples are:

· Acts 5:40-42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ

· Acts 8:1,4 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. … Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

· Acts 20:20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house

· Acts 28:30-31 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

· Acts 5:40-42, 8:1-4, 20:20, 28:30-31 – “personal work” is approved of and should be done regularly

Personal Evangelism Is Therefore Required

Since we have approved examples of such, all Christians ought to follow that lead and use our time to spread the gospel to the best of our abilities. Our brethren follow the Acts 20:7 example like their lives depend upon it, but most neglect these personal work examples like not one soul depends upon it! Texts like Acts 8:4 make this activity required of all Christians – man, woman, and youth. It is probably the most important work a Christian can be doing, and yet how many are even trying to do it? Even many full time preachers don’t do it on a consistent basis. I doubt God is going to be pleased if all we’re trying to do is convert the boyfriends and girlfriends of our current members.

Debating – Binding Examples

Some approved examples of public religious debating include:

· Acts 15:2,7 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them … And when there had been much disputing …

· Acts 17:17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

· Acts 19:8-10 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

Debating Therefore Should Be Encouraged And Supported

Acts 15:2,7, 17:17, and 19:8-10 are very approved examples, yet most brethren oppose religious debating because it doesn’t seem right to them (Prov 14:12), or because they don’t think it does any good (Isaiah 55:8-9). But they would have a cow if I said – “observing the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week doesn’t do any good, so let’s don’t do that.” Either we should follow approved examples, or we shouldn’t. We can’t have it both ways.

Reasons We Should Publicly Debate The Bible

Some of the reason we should debate the scriptures include:

· because God says we should Phil 1:17, Acts 15:2,7, 17:17, 19:8-10, Matt 22:15-46, Jude 3

· to listen to the other side with an open mind Matthew 13:15

· to preach the truth as we presently understand it II Timothy 4:2

· to seek unity Ephesians 4:3, I Corinthians 1:10, John 17:20-23

· to reach the lost Mark 16:15-16

· to encourage study of the word of God II Timothy 2:15

· to get an audience with those who need to be warned Ezek 3:18

· to allow our position to be examined/tested John 3:19-21

Fasting – Binding Examples

We also have multiple examples of disciples fasting:

· Acts 13:1-3 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; 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. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

· Acts 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

· II Corinthians 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

· II Corinthians 6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings

Fasting Is Therefore Required

Acts 13:1-3, 14:23, II Cor 11:27, and 6:5 are approved New Testament examples and therefore require us to fast. It’s hard for me to believe some preachers try to get around God’s fasting requirement by saying:

· “The New Testament never commands us to fast” – when they have other sermons that correctly point out we learn by command, example, or necessary implication.

· “The Bible doesn’t tell us how often or how long to fast” – but they understand prayer is binding today even though we are not told how often or how long to pray.

Other passages instructing fasting include:

· Matthew 6:16-18 If charitable deeds and prayer are still required today, why wouldn’t fasting be required today also?

· Mark 2:18-20 Jesus said his disciples would fast once he (the bridegroom) was gone. Isn’t the bridegroom (Jesus) gone today?

We Learn Other Things By Example

There are other approved examples we should follow – but I suggest each person search for themselves instead of depending upon me or anybody else to tell them what they are.

Conclusion

We should contentiously apply this principle. The Bible does command that we follow approve examples.

hear Bible Crossfire Sunday nights at 8:04 central on SiriusXM radio Family Talk 131 or at BibleCrossfire.com