Lesson 8: Approved Examples

It is clear that the apostles taught by example as well as by word. Paul wrote to the churches urging them to imitate him as he tried to imitate Christ, 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:9. When we read about the approved practices of the early Christians, we can see how the early church functioned under the direct teaching of Jesus and the apostles. Approved examples demonstrate how to fulfill a command. For example, when Jesus commanded the disciples to observe the Lord’s Supper in the church until He comes again (Mark 14:22-25), He did not tell them when to observe it. From Acts 20:7 we have an example of the church taking the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week. From Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 11:23 we further understand that the church did this on a regular basis. The example in this case provides the basis for understanding when we should observe the Lord’s Supper which was instructed by specific command. We say approved examples because there are some unapproved actions of the apostles and churches that we must not emulate. Paul rebuked Peter for acting hypocritical in showing partiality to the Jews over the Gentiles (Galatians 2:11-16). In 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, Paul rebukes the Corinthian church for improper observance of the Lord’s Supper. In Revelation 2-3, Jesus, through John, rebukes several of the churches for disobedience.

Principles Regarding Examples

When using examples we must make sure that we do so carefully. Specifically, we must make sure that the example binds a means of obedience to the exclusion of other things that can be done. In the example above, we can conclude from Acts 20:7 and the verses that support the regular Lord’s Supper observance that the early church took the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week. Historical study supports this conclusion. Since the early church ate the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week, so do we. Since Jesus used unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine, we use this as well. However, when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper they ate in an upper room. In Acts 20, it is obvious that they were also in an upper room. Does this mean that we must eat the Lord’s Supper in an upper room? When we read about the early church, both in the Bible and in history, we find that they met in houses, caves, forests—wherever they could find to meet. There is nothing specified about the architecture of the place where they should meet. In fact, to demand an upper room would forbid meeting in caves or in the forest. The upper room is not relevant to the Lord’s Supper or the general assembly; it is incidental. This is where they happened to meet but they could have easily met somewhere else. The upper room has no spiritual or symbolic relevance to the Lord’s Supper. Jesus only identified two elements that must characterize their observance, namely, the bread and the fruit of the vine. Jesus said that it would not matter where brethren met to worship God, John 4:24. Ferrell Jenkins in his paper identified four main areas of examples that are not binding:

Mosaic Covenant

26:17), they did so while the Old Law was in force. Since the Old Law is no longer binding, we do not follow its commands.

Disapproved Examples

and the numerous problems at the church in Corinth (division, taking brethren to court, abusing the Lord’s Supper).

Incidentals

command (meeting by the riverside, Acts 16:13; singing and praying at midnight, Acts 16:25; length of sermon, Acts 20:7) Temporary cultural elements was a common form of greeting, and still is in many countries. Though we do not have to adopt that custom, we must greet every saint, Philippians 4:21, in a culturally appropriate manner. The approved churches followed the examples and doctrine commanded by the apostles; so must we.