Biblical Examples and Commands

I had a thought because of some discussion in other threads about how our view of Biblical Examples and Commands greatly affects our practice as a church.

View 1.
Some hold that if there is no New Testament example or command for a practice it cannot be done. This would exclude Sunday School, Bible Colleges, Missions Boards and such things.

View 2.
Others hold that example permits but does not require a practice. Commands are the only thing that require a particular practice in the church. Any practice, whether in worship or in administation of the church which does not violate a New Testament command is acceptable.

Maybe you have a third or fourth view I am missing?

For instance take a typical Sunday morning at a Baptist Church:

9:45 A.M. Sunday School
Kids may gather in rooms depending on ages hear a Bible lesson and the little ones will color and do crafts which illustrate Bible teachings.


10:45 A.M. Worship Service
Songs are sung for about 15 minutes
Announcements made about upcoming events
Special music is song
Preaching for about 30 to 40 minutes

Sunday Evening Service
Church starts 6:00 or 7:00
almost identical to morning worship service

Wednesday Night
Prayer Service 7:00ish?
Most of the time these are very similar to
Sunday morning worship, except they won't have as much singing and no specials - instead of singing and specials time is taken for prayer requests.
But still have 30 to 40 minutes of preaching or teaching.

AWANA or kids program for church kids as well as to bring in unsaved neighborhood kids to hear the Gospel.

So where is our scriptural support for these services? Might we find some examples of saints meeting together - sure. But at the times and ways we do things - I think we would all say no.

Now let me throw out some crazy questions for you to get you thinking:

1.If a church wanted to put incense in the service, not as sacrifice, but just as something for the enviroment - would this be violate the New Testament?

2.If a church decided they wanted to allow people to bring their pets to service with them would that violate the New Testament?

3.If a church decided they wanted to have 10 minutes of preaching and 50 minutes of singing would that violate the New Testament?

4.If a church decided they wanted to have 60 minutes of preaching and 5 minutes of singing would that violate the New Testament?

5.If a church decided they wanted to have no formal worship service and the Pastor just wanted to meet with the church in groups of no more than ten people where they would learn from him would that violate the New Testament?

Now here come some sticky questions....

6.If a church wanted to have there Pastor were a robe that is different distinguishes him from the laity during there service does this violate the New Testament?

7.If a church wanted to have there Pastor read from a prayer book and read a litergy and then some various scriptures passages would this violate the New Testament?

When you answer these questions, think of if they have to do with Biblical examples or Biblical commands.

IFBReformer