LEARNING FROM EXAMPLES AND INFERENCES
Posted by: henkf <henkf@...>
LEARNING FROM EXAMPLES AND INFERENCES?
INTRODUCTION
Some believers have been known to question whether examples are a valid source for establishing the will of God. They sometimes point out examples that we do not follow and insinuate a gross inconsistency exists and that it is impossible to follow examples consistently today. Others look at “necessary inference” as totally subjective to human opinion and therefore impossible to employ consistently as a means of establishing Biblical authority for today. Is “that view” itself a necessary inference? Just as we would not apply every command (“bring the books and parchments”,” greet Priscilla and Aquila”, etc.), we would determine a valid way of utilizing the examples that do apply and draw the necessary conclusions from the proper statements, commands, and examples. Any fear of being inconsistent with examples would equally apply to statements and commands. Would we discard the Bible all together? How can one be consistent in utilizing the commands and examples and draw the necessary conclusions that God wants us to draw? The following should prove helpful.
I. JESUS UTILIZED EXAMPLES AND DREW NECESSARY INFERENCES.
A. In refuting Satan, Jesus referred to direct statements and commands. Matt.4:1-7
1. In these statements Jesus drew the following necessary inferences:
a) There is more important food to be concerned with than bread , by yielding to fleshly passion and the advantage of being able to divinely materialize something to satisfy the flesh. His mission would not be used for selfish purposes.
b) Divine providence should not be tested to show someone else God’s special care for you.
c) No one deserves worship and service but God alone.
B. In refuting the Pharisees, who made strict codes to protect the Sabbath law, Jesus referred to an example that refuted their consistency in applying their traditions to the Sabbath law. Matt.12:1-8
1. The disciples were not engaged in occupational “work”. They were relieving a human need. David did this. Why did the Pharisees not condemn him? What David did was not unlawful according to divine law, but it was unlawful as far as their human laws go. See Deut.23:25; 1 Sam.21:1-6; Lev.24:5-9
2. Jesus wanted them to draw a “necessary inference” from this example... In refuting the Sadducees in regard to life beyond the grave and a resurrection, Jesus referred to a statement made to Moses at the burning bush. God said “I “am” the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob”. The necessary inference they should have drawn from the scriptures is that “God is still the God of living beings”. Matt.22:29-33
C. In regard to divorce and remarriage, Jesus wanted people to draw the necessary conclusion that God originally planned that two become one flesh and that that union not be broken or separated by man. Matt.19:4f
D. Even though the Old Testament scriptures did not expressly say the Christ would suffer and rise the third day, all the evidence demands that that conclusion was necessary. Lk.24:46 Necessary conclusions must be drawn from what is said.
II. THE APOSTLES AND ELDERS USED STATEMENTS AND EXAMPLES FROM WHICH TO DRAW NECESSARY CONCLUSIONS.
A. Expressed statement. Acts 15:1-20 1. The prophets expressly stated that the Gentiles would be saved in the new age. Acts 15:13-20
B. Approved Example. Acts 15:6-12
1. Examples of Gentiles being saved without mention of circumcision were given.
C. From these sources NECESSARY INFERENCE was drawn. 15:22-31
1. Antioch sent to Jerusalem to find out if Gentiles had to be circumcised to be saved.
2. The letter answering their question does not even mention circumcision.
3. The apostles wanted the readers at Antioch to draw the necessary inference for themselves that Gentiles do not have to be circumcised to be saved.
III. IF WE CANNOT FOLLOW EXAMPLES, THEN WE CANNOT DO WHAT GOD SAID.
A. GOD HAS COMMANDED US TO FOLLOW EXAMPLES.
1. Follow the good example of others. The apostles and early Christians gave us some good examples to follow. See Heb.13:7; 2Thess.3:7; 1Cor.10:6, 11; 4:16; 11:1; Heb.6:12; 1 Pet.3:13; 3 Jno.11; 1 Thess.1:6
2. If we cannot follow examples, then we cannot obey these commands.
IV. WHICH EXAMPLES? HOW DOES ONE DETERMINE THE EXAMPLES THAT SHOULD FIT INTO THE PATTERN OF AUTHORITY TO BE USED TODAY?
A. The following rules of interpretation should prove useful and helpful in this regard:
1. Uniformity. Does it represent what was done in every known case and concur with all other evidence?
2. Harmony. Does it seem in harmony with all statements and commands applicable to the point at hand?
3. Universal Application. Does it apply equally to all places? Is it within the ability of all people everywhere to comply with demand involved?
4. Purposeful or incidental? Does it seem to have a purpose in the context or does it seem only to be a mere incidental happenstance? Riding in the chariot (in the story of the Eunuch) seems to have no divine purpose for all to follow. It seems only incidental to the story. But, going down into the water seems to have a divine purpose. This is usually determined by context and the nature of the story and the comparison to all other information on the subject.
5. Limited Application? Is it limited because of cultural considerations, relevance for only a period of time (such as preaching only to the Jews), or does it illustrate what seems from all other evidence to be universally expected?
V. NOT EVERY INFERENCE IS A NECESSARY INFERENCE.
A. In the case of the eunuch (Acts 8) we could infer that Philip was fast, could keep up with a horse, had good running shoes, and was miraculously made invisible after he baptized the eunuch. None of those conclusions are “necessary”.
B. However, it is a necessary conclusion that Philip did not bring some water and pour it over the eunuch’s head. It is a necessary conclusion that in teaching Jesus a person learns about baptism, and that baptism requires water enough to go down into.
C. God expects us all to draw the conclusions that are forced by the evidence of statements, commands, and examples. The evidence forces us to conclude necessarily that we are sinners in need of the blood of Christ. If we can reach this conclusion logically without an express statement that says “Terry is a sinner who must turn to God, believing on Jesus, and be baptized for the remission of sins”, then we can reach other necessary conclusions as well. If we do not use necessary inference, how do you know “YOU” will be judged by God at all? ______________________________
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1. Did Jesus think examples were useful in establishing authority?
2. Did Jesus expect people to draw necessary inferences from statements, commands, and examples?
3. Does the Bible urge us to follow examples?
4. How does one determine that taking the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week is binding while eating it in an upper room is not?
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