How Churches Make Decisions

Mark Ciampa

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How Churches Make Decisions

Not

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Not Not lecture Not free-for-all of what everyone thinks

Is open study from Scriptures and discussion for WCC

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Not Not bashing of what other groups think

Not overlook incorrect interpretations

Is examination of different views

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Not Not easy Not all agree Not setting to feel intimidated

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Not Not WCC official position

Not to create replacement checklist

Not matter 6

Outline Flawed method

How decisions were made by NT churches

Principles for WCC to consider

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How Churches Make Decisions

Flawed Method

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CEIS

Command

Example

Inference

Silence 9

CEIS “Establish Bible authority”

Sometimes called “patternism”

Based on false scientific theory (Baconian inductivism) popular in late 1800’s

Promoted by J. Lamar, M. Lard, R. Milligan, R. Richardson

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CEIS New Testament not instructive in its

native narrative format

CEIS must be invoked to understand NT correctly and completely

A person cannot read and understand Bible without using CEIS method

Churches must use CEIS when making decisions

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CEIS Steps 1. Is there a specific command?

2. If not command, is there approved apostolic example?

3. If no example, is there an inference to be made?

4. If no command, example, or inference, then Scriptures are silent and silence forbids it

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Commands When God commands it must be

done

Commands are “prescriptions given as declarative statements”

Commands are clear, plain, understandable, concise

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CEIS Examples Carries same weight as command

Must be approved and apostolic

All NT church examples are always binding for today

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CEIS Inferences To derive by deduction; to conclude or surmise as a consequence; to imply

Carries same weight as direct command of God

Strict matter of faith

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CEIS Silence Silence forbids

If Scriptures do not address then man has no authority to act

To guard against “anything is permissible if not specifically mentioned” 16

1 Cor. 16:1-4 Command: Give

Example: Give each week

Inference: Perpetual church treasury to dispense funds

Silence: Only on Sunday (says nothing about Tuesdays)

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How Churches Make Decisions

Response to CEIS

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1 Cor. 16:1-4 “Told Galatian churches” – But not all churches?

“So that no collections will have to be made when I come” - Not designed to be always collecting

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Response to CEIS Examples

Are examples prescriptive or descriptive?

Are examples an example or the example?

Purpose of examples is to reinforce commands

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Response to CEIS Examples

John 13:12-17

Jesus is providing an example that reinforces His instructions

Not the exclusive example of the only way to serve others

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Response to CEIS Inferences

Inferences are elevated in status to a direct command

Based on reasoning and conclusions of man

Requires following checklist of human criteria

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Response to CEIS Inferences

Acts 20:7-11

Inferred that this is only time to take Lord’s Supper

Was Acts 2:46-47 Lord’s Supper?

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Response to CEIS Silence

Parent gives child $10 to buy gallon of milk but returns with milk and bread

“I didn’t say to buy bread”

“You didn’t say I could not”

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Response to CEIS Silence

Child remembered out of bread

Child shows initiative, character, responsibility

Has parent made child scared to act or given him freedom to enhance task?

Does a parent really want a child who only follows specific commands?

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Response to CEIS Silence

Matthew 25:14-30

Matthew 12:1-8 – Silence of Law not prohibit activity

God given us freedom to apply His principles to our everyday cultural situations

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How Churches Make Decisions

Warnings & Dangers of CEIS

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Warnings to CEIS

Matthew 15:1-9 – Binding precepts that originated from man

2 Corinthians 3:4-6 – Law vs. Spirit

1 Timothy 6:2-5 - Divisions 28

Assumptions of CEIS

Assumes hidden and complete blueprint in NT

Assumes justification based on how closely humans follow pattern created by CEIS

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Dangers of CEIS

Nothing stated or implied in NT about CEIS: if so critically important, why no mention?

Makes rejection CEIS condition of fellowship

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Dangers of CEIS

Arbitrarily, capriciously, and inconsistently applied

Rejects based on “culture”

Forgets John 14:6

Ignores Romans 8:1

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Dangers of CEIS

Makes human reasoning primary focus

Dethrones Jesus: CEIS becomes test of faith, purpose of church, focus of teaching

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How Churches Make Decisions

Mark Ciampa

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