Apostolic Traditions Regarding Giving: (Part One)

I am discovering that traditions of men are almost always contrary to apostolic traditions! Traditionally we have been taught that, in Christian ministry, giving should always flow from a large group of people to a small group of people and that the needs of the small group are to be met differently than are the needs of the large group. In this post, I simply ask you to consider some questions I’ve been asking myself as I’ve been seeking answers in the scriptures.  I hope this will spark your interest in searching the scriptures for your own answers and then hopefully we can discuss what we have discovered in future posts!

How are the needs of elders/overseers/pastors to be met? (Acts 20:28-35)

Do apostles, prophets, evangelists or teachers have a right for their needs to be met in a different manner than those of local elders/overseers/pastors?  Yes/No

If so, what scriptures set forth such a right?

If not, what scriptures teach the wisdom of the needs of both being met in the same ways? (Acts 20:33-35; II Thess.3:6-15)

Which apostles demanded or used such rights?  (Acts 6:2,4;  I Cor.9:4-6,12)

Which apostles did not demand or use such rights?  (Acts 20:33-35; I Cor.4:9-17;  I Cor.9:6,12,15,18;  II Cor.11:7-9; II Cor.12:12-19; I Thess.2:1-9; 4:9-12; II Thess.3:6-15)

Are there any good reasons to surrender such rights and not demand them?  (I Cor.9:12,15-18)

Did any apostle, whose needs were met differently than those of elders, teach others to follow his own example? Yes/No

Are apostles. prophets, evangelists, pastors or teachers to be hired, paid and even fired by other believers? Yes/No

If so, what scriptures would teach these things?

If not, who calls, appoints, sends and rewards apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers? (Matthew 10:16; 23;34; John 20:21; Acts 20:28-35; I Peter 5:1-4)

Who gave such men to the Body?  (Ephesians 4:10,11) Who is then responsible to see that they receive their hire or reward for their labour?  (Matthew 16:27; 20:1-16; I Cor.3:18; I Tim.5:18; Rev.22:12)

Are the financial and material needs of widows, orphans, the weak, the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the imprisoned and the poor to be supplied by believers?  Yes/No

If not, what scriptures teach this?

If so, what scriptures teach this? How and by whom are such to be supported? (Matt.25:34-46; Acts 6:1-6; 11:27-30; 20:35; Rom.15:25,26; I Cor.16:1,2;  II Cor.8:13-15; 9:12; Gal.2:9,10;  Eph.4:28; I Tim.5:3-15)

 For what reason should some such not be given anything? (II Thess.3:10-15; I Tim.5:9-14)

What does scripture teach us…

- about “saving” for the future? (Matt.6:19,20;  10:7-12; Luke 10:1-8; I Cor.16:1-3; II Cor.3:13-15)

- about saving for known needs (i.e. storing crops for use in the winter when they won’t grow, for meeting the current known needs of one’s own children, elderly or widowed parents.)  (Prov.6:6-11; II Cor.12:14; I Tim.5:3-16)

-about saving for unknown needs (“for a rainy day”, for possible “emergencies” or catastrophes, for security in old age, for children’s education etc.)

“Saving” is not mentioned in scripture. But the Lord Jesus and the apostles did instruct us regarding “laying up”. Is “laying up” an equivalent to “saving”?  How is “laying up” the same as or different from “saving”?

Is fundraising (the act or occupation of asking, pleading, appealing or making known needs for funds) for ministry scripturally justified? Yes/No    If so, what scriptures teach us …

- how to do it? Acts 11:27-30; Phil.4:6

- to whom such appeals should be made? Matt.7:2,7,8,11,12;  Acts 11:27-30; Phil.4:6

- by whom such appeals should be made? Acts 11:27-3                                                                                    - the reasons for generous response to such appeals? Luke 6:28-38; II Cor.9:6;  Gal.6:7-10.

The reason why the promise of Phil.4:19 was made to  saints at Philippi and not to others is found in Phil.4:14-16! This is entirely in keeping with the teachings of Luke 6:28-38, II Cor.9:6 and Gal.6:7-10!

 - the reasons for which some such appeals should be rejected? Prov.1:22-33; II Thess.3:10

What scriptural commands teach how the needs of the following are to be met:

  -apostles?  -prophets?  -evangelists?  -pastors/elders/overseers?  -teachers?  -the poor?  -the weak?

  -widows?  -orphans?  -saints/believers?  All of the above are instructed by Matt.6:3,4 & 19,20;  Matt.7:2,7,8,11,12;  Luke 6:30,31,38; Acts 20:33-35;

What scriptural examples show (right or wrong) how the needs of the following have been met?

  -apostles?  -prophets?  -evangelists?  -pastors/elders/overseers?  -teachers?  -the poor?  -the weak?

  -widows?  -orphans?  -saints/believers?

Does any historical event or practice recorded in scripture establish an apostolic tradition which is incumbent on believers today, or must such responsibilities be established by an apostolic command?

What kinds of people are scripturally entitled to receive financial assistance? Poor saints Romans 15:25-27; those who preach the Gospel I Cor.9:9-14; those who teach Galatians 6:6;  faithful widows                        I Tim.5:3-14; elders who labour in the word and doctrine  I Tim.5:17,18

What apostolic traditions (commands of the Lord through the apostles) give us guidance in these matters? (the texts immediately above)

Who serves the Lord? Who are “the servants of the Lord”? (Col.1:1,2 with 3:24;  Romans 12:1,11)

Who is to “live of the Gospel”?  Who are those who “preach the Gospel”? (Evangelists?, Sunday school teachers?, parents who teach their children their need of a Saviour? Christians who are faithful witnesses to co-workers etc?)

What does “living of the Gospel” mean?  Does it mean -charging for preaching? - receiving a salary or wage for preaching?  - being hired to preach? - looking for one’s reward from the hand of the One who appointed the preacher? - something else?   If so, what does it mean?

What does the negative command “muzzle not the ox that treadeth out the corn” mean for us? 

-Does it mean positive commands such as: “Pay the apostle.” -“Pay those who preach the Gospel.”or -“Pay the elders who labour in the word and doctrine” ?  If so, how are they to be paid, how much and by whom? 

Or does a negative command teach us there is something we are NOT to do?  If so, what are we NOT to do regarding apostles, those who preach the Gospel, or elders who labour in the Word and doctrine?  What does this mean in practical ways….how will this affect our care for such? 

   -When one literally muzzles an ox, what does one do and why?

   -When a believer or an ekklesia “muzzles” an apostle, a Gospel preacher, a teacher or an elder who labours in the word and doctrine? What do they do? Why do they do it?

Specifically, what are we NOT to do in this matter regarding apostles, Gospel preachers, teachers or elders?

As you have considered these questions in light of what scripture says, have you been surprised? Have you had any long-standing ideas challenged by the scriptures?  If so, share your thoughts in the comments below or send me an email at bwood4d@gmail.com

Doug Comments on the Church: Part Two

My friend, Doug,  continued,   “I would be very curious if you have put together (from SCRATCH) your own theory as to how a biblical body should be put together under the headship of Christ and what passages of Scripture do you use to get there....     How do you handle the passages that others try to use to prove otherwise?    I would be fascinated to see your model.     As soon as I complete Acts and ask my co-teacher to take the next session, I am going to "flesh out" my thoughts on paper and create what I see as the biblical model and try to show how it is Biblically the closest I can come and practically how logical and wise it would be to "organize" in this way....     I will share it with you for critique when I get it done.”

Brother, theories or opinions are like noses, everybody has one! So my theory would be no better than anyone else’s. But what the Lord Jesus and the apostles taught us is of utmost importance.

First of all, I don’t believe it is our job to “put a Biblical body together under the headship of Christ”, for God has already done that!  We are never instructed in scripture to “plant”, “institute”, “organize” or “put together” such a body. We are simply instructed to “keep” (guard) the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”  (Eph.4:3)   When a baby is born, it’s physical body is complete. It’s unity is already established. It is not yet mature but it is complete.

The church is God’s creation, He has established its unity and our responsibility is to guard the unity of that body (not create it!)

Secondly, as far as scripture is concerned there is only one body (The church which is Christ`s Body, Eph.1:22,23, which He said He would build is the only body in which we need to have membership.)   A church in your town or mine is not a “body”, but such churches are part of the Body of Christ.  Otherwise we would have many bodies with one head!   Scripture only speaks of “membership” in the context of a body which has a head.  Only two such are mentioned in the Bible:  (1)our physical bodies have members (eyes, ears etc) I Cor.12, and (2) the Body of Christ has members, believers in the Lord Jesus who are in vital union with the head, Christ.  So “church membership” as the term is most commonly used today, i.e. membership in a local congregation, is not a scriptural idea at all, but simply an invention used to exercise control by dispensing “membership privileges” to those who wish to “sign up”.  I am not a member in any church or gathering of saints except the one I was made a member of the day I got saved!  Nor do we seek to have any control over other saints by inviting them to “become members” of “our church”!  The church is NOT ours at all!

Thirdly, in order to “keep/guard” the unity of a living body  (a little baby’s body or the body of Christ) we need to recognize what that body is ( a living man).  Then we need to recognize that the proper functioning of that living body needs care (in keeping with its design)  and that the health of that body can be threatened, endangered or crippled by abuse or lack of proper care.

I believe that the commands and instructions of the Lord Jesus which he gave to the apostles are the divine guide for the care of Christ’s Body.  The church which is Christ’s body, the church in your town or mine, and the church in your house or mine will thrive as those instructions are followed and obeyed. But when a baby is “cared for” by instructions created and suited for a corporation, the baby will suffer from severe neglect and abuse.  (Precisely what happens when “church” is organized, operates, and functions according to traditions of men rather than according to apostolic traditions received from the Lord Himself!

Traditions of men, which are designed to guide the functioning of corporations, bring horrible abuse upon members of Christ’s body. After long exposure to corporate traditions, many believers are atrophied from lack of use or paralyzed from abuse, joints with other members of the body are dislocated, disease is common and communication with the Head is almost non-existent! So the only way for believers to begin to function in a healthy manner as members of Christ is to purpose to listen to Jesus, obey whatever He has said and then teach others to do the same.  (That’s basically the idea of the “great Commission”!)

“Church services”, “worship services”, clergy/laity distinctions, denominational distinctives are a few of the traditions of men that are foreign to scripture. In their places believers are to assemble together to minister one to another (Hebrews 10:24,25) as good stewards of the grace of God which is given to each one (I Peter 4:10,11),   the people of God (LAOS) I Peter 2:10 are the same group of people as God’s inheritance (KLEROS or clergy) over which elders are forbidden to be lords! (I Peter 5:3) The use of any names which distinguish Christians one from another or which exclude others from their fellowship are forbidden. (I Cor.1:10-13)  Pastors/elders/overseers are males who are “homegrown” and thus well known by the believers they serve (not unknown and imported from elsewhere). They are recognized by God-given qualifications (I Timothy 3 and Titus 1) NOT hired according to preferences of the sheep and they work diligently with their own hands to meet their own needs and also to be able to support weak ones among the sheep(Acts 20:33-35). Finally, elders do not function alone. No NT church had only one elder. Rather the churches which resulted from the ministries of the apostles were guided by a plurality of elders who laboured together to care for the flock.

So, Doug, (and other readers of this blog)… as you look for and seek to be involved in a church which is thoroughly biblical in its practices,  which of those mentioned above would you embrace?  What other practices taught by the Lord Jesus and the apostles would you include? How can you begin to make such apostolic traditions part of your own lifestyle today? As you, personally, obey what the Lord has shown you, how might He bring you into contact with others with similar desires?

Introduction to Apostolic Traditions

Traditions: What are they?                                                                                                                                                      -something passed down from one to another and generally observed.    (Greek PARADOSIS, Strong’s  # 3862)       

What kinds of traditions are there ?

 (1) Traditions which are obedient to and in keeping with God-given commands.

          (godly, biblical and moral traditions)  These are called “the commandments of the Lord”,  “the  ordinances”,  “the   

         traditions which ye have been taught by word or our (the apostles’) epistle”,  "the traditions received of us (the

        apostles)”, and “the things which thou hast heard of me (Paul) among many witnesses”. Matthew 28:20;  I

        Corinthians 11:1,2;  14:37;  Philippians 4:9; II Thessalonians 2:15;  3:6;  and II Timothy 2:2

 (2) Traditions which are disobedient to and contradictory to God given commands.

          (ungodly,  anti-biblical, and immoral traditions)  These are called your own traditions”, “traditions of men”, 

        “traditions of the fathers” or “traditions of the elders”. Matthew 15:2,3,6;  Mark 7:3,5,8,9,13; Galatians 1:14; 

         Colossians 2:8; I Peter 1:18

 (3) Traditions which are neither obedient to nor disobedient to God-given commands.

          (neutral, non-biblical and amoral traditions)  For example, meeting regularly on a Tuesday night for Bible study,

         having receptions after weddings and funerals, or serving coffee and cookies when the saints gather in your home.

Apostolic Traditions: What are they?

  -practices which are:

    (1) commanded by Christ,

              Matthew 28:18)  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in  heaven and in
              earth. 19)   Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the  Father, and of the Son, and
             of the  Holy Ghost: 20)  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am
            with you alway, even unto the end of the world.

             1 Corinthians 11:1)  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 2)  Now I praise you, brethren, that ye
             remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
             1 Corinthians 14:37)  If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things
             that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

    (2) taught by the apostles, to be practiced by us,

             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.

            2 Thessalonians 2:15)  Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught,
            whether by word, or our epistle.
            2 Thessalonians 3:6)  Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that  ye withdraw
            yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.   and
                 
    (3) to be taught by us to others.

               2 Timothy 2:2)  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to

                faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

Why is keeping them so important?

(1) Our response (obedience or disobedience to the commands of Christ communicated to us by the apostles)
     demonstrates whether or not Christ is our Lord.   Can someone who wilfully ignores and disobeys divine
    commands truly claim that Christ is their Lord?
     Luke 6:46) And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
    Matthew 7:21)  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that
       doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not
      prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23) 
     And  then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart  from  me, ye that work iniquity. 24)  Therefore whosoever
     heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
     25)  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it
      was founded upon a rock. 26)  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not,  shall be
      likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27)  And the rain descended, and the floods came,
      and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

 (2) Our response (obedience or disobedience to such apostolic traditions) demonstrates the measure  of our a

      cknowledgment of the headship of Christ as members in His body.

      Colossians 1:18)  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that

        in all  things he might have the preeminence.

      Romans 12:4)  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5)  So we,
      being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6)  Having then gifts differing according
      to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7)  Or
      ministry,  let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8)  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he
     that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 9) 
     Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10)  Be kindly affectioned
     one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11)  Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit;
     serving the Lord; 12)  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13) Distributing to the
     necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14)  Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15)  Rejoice with
    them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16)  Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high
     things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17)  Recompense to no man evil for
     evil. Provide things honest in  the sight of all men. 18)  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with
    all men. 19)  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is
    mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20)  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so
    doing thou shalt heap coals of  fire on his head. 21)  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

 (3)Our response demonstrates the measure of our love to Christ and of our love for other children of God.  (Both

     are proven by keeping His commandments.)                  

       John 14:15)  If ye love me, keep my commandments.
       John 14:21)   He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall
        be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.                   
     2 Corinthians 5:14)  For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were
       all dead: 15)  And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him
       which died for them, and rose again.
    1 John 5:2)  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3) 
       For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
     2 John 1:6)  And this is love, that we walk after his commandments.

 (4) Our response (obedience or disobedience) will be an example which will inevitably have an  influence on others

       (for good or evil!)

        1 Timothy 4:11)  These things command and teach. 12)  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of
        the  believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
        1 Corinthians 16:15)  I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia,
         and  that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) 16)  That ye  submit yourselves unto such,
         and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.

In the next post, I’ll begin a discussion of a number of apostolic traditions which are largely ignored and disobeyed in Christendom today. I encourage my readers to earnestly consider them and to begin to practice those which you may not have practiced before. As always, please feel free to leave your own comments and questions below.