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RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH EXERCISE
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Last modification: December 11th 2011
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It should be immediately evident that all practices in the Bible are not transferable to the present day. If that were true, then when you buy a house, the former owner should take off one of his sandals and give it to you, the buyer, following the practice in Ruth 4:7,8.
But why would a believer in Christ decide not to put into practice a certain Bible practice? If he has no reason for not doing so, he/she is not following the instruction of the apostle Peter: "but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;" (1 Peter 3:15).

The following exercise helps us, believers in Christ, to understand the importance of rightly dividing the Scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15). You will see that many of the below mentioned instructions have to do with Israel and not with the Body of Christ (like the removal of a sandal) so don't need to be followed during this Dispensation of Grace, even though sometimes its principle is still applicable.
The instructions given to us by the apostle Paul and which we find in his letters, are the ones we should study and put into practice if the instruction itself is exclusive or has not been overruled later by the apostle Paul.

It is sad that many believers consider some of his instructions cultural and so not meant for nowadays. We are strongly against this attitude because it gives us a pick and choose religion. And who are we to consider something cultural when God gives us concrete instructions through the Apostle Paul.
The standard for the believer in Christ, without exception, must always be these instructions. Not culture ("everyone is doing it/nobody is doing it"), not tradition ("we have always done it that way/we don't do it that way anymore"), not reason ("it seems logical/it doesn't seem logical") nor emotion ("it feels right/it doesn't feel right").

First you will see a list of all the statements which have been studied. Before you read the answer on each one of them, study these statements by rightly dividing the Word of Truth. Afterwards check our answer. We have put "Grace Disp." (for Grace Dispensation) or "Not for Grace Disp." (not for the Grace Dispensation) behind each statement. Comments and critics on our answers are welcome and might lead to modified ones. Please inform also in case of language mistakes.

Source of the statements: Cultural Gap Exercise by Dr. Roy Verzosa (Homiletics 2002). Sources of some of the answers: Books of Pastor Stam, Pastor Finck, etc.

Statement:

Last modification:

	1. Greet one another with a holy kiss (Rom. 16:16).	2011/06/05
	2. Abstain from meat that has been sacrificed to idols (Acts 15:29).	2011/06/05
	3. Be baptized (Acts 2:38).	2011/06/05
	4. Wash one another's feet (John 13:14).	2011/06/19
	5. Extend the right hand of fellowship (Gal. 2:9).	2011/06/19
	6. Ordain by the "laying on of hands" (Acts 13:3).	2011/06/19
	7. Prohibit women from speaking in a church assembly (1 Cor. 14:34).	2011/06/19
	8. Have fixed hours of prayer (Acts 3:1).	2011/06/19
	9. Sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Col. 3:16).	2011/06/19
	10. Abstain from eating blood (Acts 15:29).	2011/06/19
	11. Slaves should obey their earthly masters (Eph. 6:5).	2011/06/19
	12. Observe the Lord's Supper (1 Cor. 11:24).	2011/06/19
	13. Do not make any oaths (James 5:12).	2011/06/19
	14. Anoint the sick with oil (James 5:14).	2011/06/19
	15. Permit no woman to teach men (1 Tim. 2:12).	2011/06/19
	16. Preach two by two (Mark 6:7).	2011/06/19
	17. Go into Jewish synagogues to preach (Acts 14:1).	2011/06/19
	18. Eat what is set before you asking no questions of conscience (1 Cor. 10:27).	2011/06/19
	19. Prohibit women from wearing broided hair, gold, or pearls (1 Tim. 2:9).	2011/06/19
	20. Abstain from fornication (Acts 15:29).	2011/06/19
	21. Do not seek marriage (1 Cor. 7:26).	2011/06/19
	22. Be circumcised (Acts 15:5).	2011/06/19
	23. Women should pray with their heads covered (1 Cor. 11:5).	2011/06/19
	24. Drink Communion from a single cup (Mark 14:23).	2011/06/19
	25. Take formal religious vows (Acts 18:18).	2011/08/28
	26. Avoid praying in public (Matt. 6:5,6).	2011/08/28
	27. Speak in tongues and prophesy (1 Cor. 14:5).	2011/08/28
	28. Meet in homes for church (Col. 4:15).	2011/08/28
	29. Work with your hands (1 Thes. 4:11).	2011/08/28
	30. Lift your hands when praying (1 Tim. 2:8).	2011/08/28
	31. Give to those who beg from you (Matt. 5:42).	2011/08/28
	32. Pray before meals (Luke 24:30).	2011/08/28
	33. Support no widow under 60 years old (1 Tim. 5:9).	2011/08/28
	34. Say "Amen” at the end of prayers (1 Cor. 14:16).	2011/08/28
	35. Fast in connection with ordination (Acts 13:3).	2011/08/28
	36. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic (Mark 6:9).	2011/08/28
	37. Wives should submit to their husbands (Col. 3:18).	2011/12/11
	38. Show no favoritism to the rich (James 2:1-7).	2011/12/11
	39. Use unleavened bread for Communion (Luke 22:13, 19).	2011/12/11
	40. Cast lots for church officers (Acts 1:26).	2011/12/11
	41. Owe no man anything (Rom. 13:8).	2011/12/11
	42. Have seven deacons in the church (Acts 6:3).	2011/12/11
	43. Do not eat meat from animals killed by strangulation (Acts 15:29).	2011/12/11
	44. Allow no one to eat if he will not work (2 Thes. 3:10).	2011/12/11
	45. Give up personal property (Acts 2:44-45).	2011/12/11
	46. Have self employed clergy (2 Thes. 3:7-8).	2011/12/11
	47. Take collections in church for the poor (1 Cor. 16:1).	2011/12/11
	48. Men should not have long hair (1 Cor. 11:14).	2011/12/11

1. Greet one another with a holy kiss (Rom. 16:16). Grace Disp.

Not an exclusive instruction. He is not saying greet one another only with a holy kiss. So Paul allows us to greet each other in another way (like shaking hands, tapping one shoulder, etc.). The principle is to greet each other in a pure and sincere way.

2. Abstain from meat that has been sacrificed to idols (Acts 15:29). Not for Grace Disp.

This instruction was given in order to win the Jews for Christ and has later been overruled by Paul in 1 Timothy 4:3-4: "men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude;"

So this instruction is not for the Dispensation of Grace although we should consider not to eat certain meat if that will help in order to win somebody for Christ.

So not seek our own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved (1 Corinthians 10:33).

3. Be baptized (Acts 2:38). Not for Grace Disp.

Not for the Body of Christ. The Apostle Paul practiced water baptism during his early ministry, but it is clear that by the time he had written his first epistle he practiced water baptism not:

Galatians 3:26-29: "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham?s descendants, heirs according to promise."

4. Wash one another's feet (John 13:14). Not for Grace Disp.

Not for the Body of Christ.

5. Extend the right hand of fellowship (Gal. 2:9). Grace Disp.

Not an exclusive instruction. So Paul allows us to agree on something in another way. The principle is to agree in a pure and sincere way.

6. Ordain by the "laying on of hands" (Acts 13:3). Not for Grace Disp.

By the laying on of hands through Paul, we know that the Holy Spirit came on those he put his hands on (Acts 19:4-6). This caused sign gifts and proved his apostleship. But the sign gifts ceased and we are no apostle so nowhere in his epistles does Paul instruct us, believers in Christ, to lay hands on someone. Only in 1 Timothy 5:22 we find the instruction to Timothy to take care by laying hands on a man. This because the laying on of hands is associated with giving church responsibilities. Here it has nothing to do anymore with sign gifts and this is proved because in the next verse Paul gives Timothy the instruction to drink a little wine for his stomach's sake. So laying on of hands can be applied to give church responsibilities to someone but is not exclusive.

7. Prohibit women from speaking in a church assembly (1 Cor. 14:34). Grace Disp.

The Greek word used in this verse is "laleÃ¶" which means speaking with authority. The Apostle Paul wants women in the churches to be silent and therefore he uses the word "sigao". This word never did demand an absolute, unqualified silence. Rather, the nature of the silence is determined by the context. In harmony with what the Apostle teaches elsewhere (1 Tim. 2:12), the woman is not to speak or teach in any way that violates her gender role. She is not to occupy the position of a public teacher, in such a capacity as to stand before the church and function as the teacher (or co-teacher) of a group containing adult men. In assuming this official capacity, she has stepped beyond her authorized sphere, and she violates Scripture.

8. Have fixed hours of prayer (Acts 3:1). Not for Grace Disp.

Not for the Body of Christ.

9. Sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Col. 3:16). Grace Disp.

Not an exclusive instruction. Colossians 3:16 reads: "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

So Paul allows us to sing any type of song as long as we sing with thankfulness in our hearts to the Lord and that the text is based upon the words of the risen Christ. This indicates that the music should never be that loud that we can not hear the words any more.

10. Abstain from eating blood (Acts 15:29). Not for Grace Disp.

This instruction was given in order to win the Jews for Christ and has later been overruled by Paul in 1 Timothy 4:1-4: "But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude;"

So this instruction is not for the Dispensation of Grace although we should consider not to eat certain meat if that will help in order to win somebody for Christ. So not seek our own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved (1 Corinthians 10:33).

11. Slaves should obey their earthly masters (Eph. 6:5). Grace Disp.

Ephesians 6:5 reads: "Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ;"

This bible verse is referring to servants and not to slaves. It's a fact that by obeying your masters you show them a different attitude than your colleagues and might win them for Christ.

12. Observe the Lord's Supper (1 Cor. 11:24). Grace Disp.

In 1 Corinthians 11:26 the Apostle Paul teaches us why we should continue observing the eating of bread and the drinking of the cup: "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes." So in observing the Lord's Table we declare His death to be our life, the spring of all our comforts and hopes. And we glory in such a declaration; we show forth His death, and plead it as our accepted sacrifice and ransom.

Important to notice that God is the one who is judging the believers who assist (1 Corinthians 11:30). So believers should in principle never forbid the assistance to the Lord's Table of others. If we would thoroughly search ourselves, to condemn and set right what we find wrong, we should stop Divine judgments.

At the same time the Apostle Paul teaches us that we should not have company with a believer who has been proven to be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner (1 Corinthians 5:11). Also such a believer should be put away from the other believers and if he/she is a member he/she should be disqualified for membership in the local church.

That person can only come back if a change of his/her lifestyle has been proven.

13. Do not make any oaths (James 5:12). Not for Grace Disp.

Not for the Body of Christ

14. Anoint the sick with oil (James 5:14). Not for Grace Disp.

Not for the Body of Christ.

15. Permit no woman to teach men (1 Tim. 2:12). Grace Disp.

The Apostle Paul is very clear in his epistles about the role of the woman. The woman is not to speak or teach in any way that violates her gender role. She is not to occupy the position of a public teacher, in such a capacity as to stand before the church and function as the teacher (or co-teacher) of a group containing adult men. In assuming this official capacity, she has stepped beyond her authorized sphere, and she violates Scripture.

16. Preach two by two (Mark 6:7). Not for Grace Disp.

Not for the Body of Christ.

17. Go into Jewish synagogues to preach (Acts 14:1). Grace Disp.

This instruction was given in order to win the Jews for Christ and has later been overruled by Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:20: "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."

Now we should proclaim the gospel of the grace of God to everybody and go everywhere. We can of course go into Jewish synagogues as well if they allow us.

18. Eat what is set before you asking no questions of conscience (1 Cor. 10:27). Grace Disp.

This instruction was given in order to win the Jews for Christ in order not to offend them.

Now we should consider this instruction in the same manner and not offend a weaker brother (1 Corinthians 8:13).

19. Prohibit women from wearing broided hair, gold, or pearls (1 Tim. 2:9). Grace Disp.

1 Timothy 2:9: "Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments,"

The Apostle Paul is very clear in this Bible verse about the physical appearance of the women. Women are to be clothed in modest apparel and good works, rather than in costly garments, nor will the latter ever take the place of the former.

The references to "braided hair", "gold, or pearls, or costly array" are a ban against the use of any of these things.

20. Abstain from fornication (Acts 15:29). Grace Disp.

This instruction was given in order to win the Jews for Christ but has always been confirmed by Paul in his letters.

We read for example in 1 Thessalonians 4:3: "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:"

21. Do not seek marriage (1 Cor. 7:26). Grace Disp.

1 Corinthians 7:25-28: "Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy. I think then that this is good in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you."

The Apostle Paul refers in verse 27 to the person who is "released from a wife" and this clearly refers to the person whom his mate has divorced. This is the party whose plight has so often been overlooked in discussions on the divorce and remarriage question.

He/she may marry again without any stigma of wrongdoing but should not seek a wife/husband. Simply should focus his/her relationship to and service for Christ and a grace believer might come on his/her way.

22. Be circumcised (Acts 15:5). Not for Grace Disp.

Not for the Body of Christ. The Apostle Paul practiced circumcision during his early ministry, but it is clear that by the time he had written his first epistle he practiced circumcision not:

Galatians 5:11: "I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished."

23. Women should pray with their heads covered (1 Cor. 11:5). Grace Disp.

1 Corinthians 11:3-10 teaches us: "But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head. But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head. For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; for indeed man was not created for the woman's sake, but woman for the man's sake. Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels."

One of the reasons for broken homes nowadays is that women don't honour their head (the husband for married ones). Paul tells us why women should wear headcovering:

- because the woman was created for the man;

- because of the angels.

When looking at the two Greek words used for hair and covering it becomes clear that Paul is describing an actual veil for the woman's covering, rather than just her hair. Katakalupto in verses 6-7 and (negative) 5 and 13 means to cover wholly, indicating some cloth hanging down that covers. Peribolian in verse 15 comes from peri - perimeter - indicating the natural hair around the head. These two words are not interchangeable. So Paul is using creation in verses 14 and 15 to emphasize the importance of head covering for a woman. Actually in both sentences of verse 15 Paul talks about long hair. Verse 6 indicates that the hair and the veil are two distinct layers of covering for a woman. The verse makes no sense if the hair is used as the only covering. It would mean that she should cut her bald head further.

So head covering with a veil is still required nowadays for a woman. When? 1 Corinthians 13:8 teaches us that prophecies will be done away upon completion of the Bible (the perfect). So head covering is nowadays only required when the woman prays up loud. This can not be during the public worship service when she should remain silent (no up loud praying or up loud dealing with the Bible). Paul explicitly states this in 1 Corinthians 14:33-35.

At the same time all the above would mean that if the man wants to pray up loud he should uncover his head. Furthermore verse 16 refers to the fact that we believers in Christ should not be contentious.

24. Drink Communion from a single cup (Mark 14:23). Grace Disp.

Not an exclusive instruction. 1 Corinthians 11:25,26 which is based upon Mark 14:23 reads: "In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes."

In verse 29 the Apostle Paul warns the one who eateth and drinketh unworthily so what counts here is the worthy manner of eating and drinking. No problem if the drinking is of one cup or of different cups, what counts is the manner of drinking.

25. Take formal religious vows (Acts 18:18). Not for Grace Disp.

Acts 18:18: "Paul, having remained many days longer, took leave of the brethren and put out to sea for Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila. In Cenchrea he had his hair cut, for he was keeping a vow."

There is no indication in the record that the Apostle Paul was in the directive will of God in keeping a vow, yet it is evident also that he was not consciously out of God’s will in doing so; indeed, he felt himself bound, by the highest part of his nature, to do so

Yet, though sent to the Gentiles with glorious good news, the Apostle’s heart kept bleeding for his beloved people, whom he had led in rebellion against Christ. In Romans 9:1-3 he writes of his "great heaviness and continual sorrow" over their condition, and solemnly swears before God that if it were possible he could wish himself accursed for them, and a few lines farther on he writes fervently that his "heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved" (Romans 10:1).

Not only did the Apostle pity his headstrong kinsmen; he felt responsible for having led them, some years back, in their opposition to Christ. Also, he felt responsible to the Lord for having stirred up all this hatred against Him.

This solution is consistent with the whole record and those who accuse us of exalting the Apostle Paul above Christ should bear witness that we thus "magnify his office" without exalting him.

26. Avoid praying in public (Matt. 6:5,6). Not for Grace Disp.

Not for the Body of Christ even though its principle is still applicable: give all the glory to God when you pray and don’t be a hypocrite.

27. Speak in tongues and prophesy (1 Cor. 14:5). Not for Grace Disp.

Not for the Body of Christ nowadays. When the Apostle Paul started his ministry grace prophets were necessary to help the proclamation of the gospel of the grace of God.

So they were able to speak different languages and to prophesy.

The Apostle Paul himself teaches us that these sign gifts would stop in 1 Corinthians 13:8: "Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away."

28. Meet in homes for church (Col. 4:15). Grace Disp.

Not an exclusive instruction. It might be the best for a small group of believers to meet in homes in order to avoid expenses but once they grow, having a separate building will help a lot for their establishment in a certain area.

29. Work with your hands (1 Thes. 4:11). Grace Disp.

In this Bible verse we read: "and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you," Also in other Bible verses the Apostle Paul teaches us that we have to work in this life on earth. For example 1 Corinthians 4:12 reads "and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure;"
And all this working is needed so that someone can provide his own because otherwise he denies his faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8 reads: "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
The Apostle Paul shows us the example by making tents in order to sustain himself and not be a financial burden to others: "For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God." (1 Thessalonians 2:9).

30. Lift your hands when praying (1 Tim. 2:8). Grace Disp.

1 Timothy 2:8,9 reads: "Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension. Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments,"

The Apostle deals here with the divine order of the sexes in their ministry for Christ. When he says, in verse 8, "I want the men in every place to pray", he evidently refers to public prayer, for Christian women as well as men are exhorted and encouraged to pray elsewhere in his epistles.

During the public prayer he wants the men to pray with the palms open. Showing the palms of the hands is a sign of not hiding anything. Furthermore the Apostle Paul talks about HOLY hands. That means hands dedicated to God and not to public performance "worship." We are lifting up unholy hands if the musical performance impels us to do it.

Those who promote raising hands as an act of worship always get around to believing that body posture has some supernatural power over God. Again, this is not a "spiritual" or mental concept but a body-worship form of legalism. What is happening is that self-hypnosis gets the juices flowing and one might confuse a chemical overdose to "worshiping." The Apostle Paul his focus in these Bible verses is that believers in Christ approach God in a pure and holy manner.

31. Give to those who beg from you (Matt. 5:42). Not for Grace Disp.

Not for the Body of Christ.

32. Pray before meals (Luke 24:30). Not for Grace Disp.

Luke 24:30 reads: "When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them."

To bless means here "to give honour to." Luke is not directing himself to the Body of Christ even though its principle is still applicable: give honour before the meals. The Apostle Paul teaches us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. So we should give honour before meals and not invoke a magical incantation to envelop our food like some religious people do.

33. Support no widow under 60 years old (1 Tim. 5:9). Grace Disp.

1 Timothy 5:3-16 reads: "Honor widows who are widows indeed; but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God. Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day. But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives. Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach. But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever"

"A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work. But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married, thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge. At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention. Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach; for some have already turned aside to follow Satan. If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed."

The Apostle deals here with the help which should be given to the widows by the local Church. Help should only be given to widows who meet with all following requirements:
- have no children or grandchildren;
- are 60 years or older;
- were faithful to their husband during their marriage and had not another husband. It should be this, what the apostle Paul means when he speaks about being the wife of one man. Otherwise he would not encourage the younger widows to marry again and make them lose their possibility for future help from the local Church;
- have a reputation for good works (if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work).

Much of the world today has departed far from the will of God expressed in this important passage.

34. Say "Amen" at the end of prayers (1 Cor. 14:16). Grace Disp.

1 Corinthians 14:16 reads: "Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?"

Saying "Amen" when someone gives a teaching or a prayer literally means "so be it." In other words, when you say "amen," you are heartily agreeing with what the speaker has said. The Apostle Paul wants us to say "Amen" when we agree with what has been said, otherwise he would not mention it in this verse where he deals with the speaking with tongues.

35. Fast in connection with ordination (Acts 13:3). Not for Grace Disp.

In Acts 13:3 we read: "Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away."

The word fasted is found more times in Acts (for example in verse 13:2, 14:23, 27:9) but never in the letters of the apostle Paul. Only few Bible versions, like the King James version, mention the word "fasting" in 1 Corinthians 7:5 but this word can not be found in the Greek ground text (Nestle version).

So we can conclude that the apostle Paul is not instructing us, believers in Christ, to practice fasting in this dispensation of Grace.

36. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic (Mark 6:9). Not for Grace Disp.

Not for the Body of Christ although the principle of travelling light is also applicable today.

37. Wives should submit to their husbands (Col. 3:18). Grace Disp.

Colossians 3:18 reads: "Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord."
The Apostle Paul is very clear in his letters concerning the role of women:
- "If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church" (1 Corinthians 14:35);
- "A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness." (1 Timothy 2:11);
- "But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet" (1 Timothy 2:12).

Subjection of wives to their own husbands is "fit" and proper in its own nature, by reason of the original creation of man, and of the woman from him: man was made first, and then the woman; and the woman was made out of the man, out of one of his ribs; and so, though not to be trampled under his feet, but to be by his side, and an help meet to him, yet not to be head, or to rule over him. Moreover, the woman was made for the man, and not the man for the woman; add to this, that the woman was in the transgression, and the means of the fall of man, which gave a fresh reason for, and made the obligation to subjection to him the stronger: and it is also a "decent" and becoming thing for wives to be subject to their husbands; for as it is giving honour to them, it is a real ornament to themselves, and is one of those good works which women professing godliness should adorn themselves with (source of this last part: Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible).

38. Show no favoritism to the rich (James 2:1-7). Not for Grace Disp.

Not for the Body of Christ although the principle of not showing favouritism is still applicable.

39. Use unleavened bread for Communion (Luke 22:13, 19). Grace Disp.

Not an exclusive instruction. 1 Corinthians 11:23, 24, 26 which is based upon Luke 22:13,19 reads: "For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. "

In verse 29 the Apostle Paul warns the one who eateth and drinketh unworthily so what counts here is the worthy manner of eating and drinking. No problem if the eating is of unleavened bread or of leavened bread, what counts is the manner of eating.

40. Cast lots for church officers (Acts 1:26). Not for Grace Disp.

Not for the Body of Christ.

41. Owe no man anything (Rom. 13:8). Grace Disp.

Romans 13:8 reads: "Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." Under grace, if we love our neighbour we would not even think of lying to him, stealing from him, etc.
When Paul says "Owe no man anything," he is continuing the previous instruction to pay our dues, whether it be taxes, fear or honour. This principle could be extended to any kind of indebtedness, which causes all kinds of problems: "The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender's slave" (Proverbs 22:7). Source: A homiletical commentary on Romans, Volume 2 by Pastor Joel W. Finck.

42. Have seven deacons in the church (Acts 6:3). Not for Grace Disp.

Not for the Body of Christ. This was an instruction of the apostle Peter to the Pentecostal church in Jerusalem.

The seven men had to be full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom. Nowadays nobody is full of the Holy Ghost (the Apostle Paul teaches us in Ephesians 5:18 that it is our goal to be filled with the Spirit) and nobody has the gift of wisdom.

43. Do not eat meat from animals killed by strangulation (Acts 15:29). Nor for Grace Disp.

44. Allow no one to eat if he will not work (2 Thes. 3:10). Grace Disp.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 reads: "For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either."

The Apostle Paul is very clear in his letter to the Thessalonians about the temptation of them to quit work. He considers this a ´disorderly conduct’. Thus the Apostle declares that the delinquent ones should be disciplined. Don’t invite such a person to your home; rather "keep away" from such (verse 6). Reserve your generosity for unfortunate people who are truly in need, or at least for Christian friends who themselves ‘walk orderly’. So with respect to those who are rebellious and would live on the generosity of others, the instructions are plain: "If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother" (verses 14,15).

Disorderliness is irresponsibility, hence the importance of orderly thinking and conduct in the Christian life.

45. Give up personal property (Acts 2:44-45). Not for Grace Disp.

Not for the Body of Christ.

46. Have self employed clergy (2 Thes. 3:7-8). Grace Disp.

2 Thessalonians 3:7-8 reads: "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you,"

The Apostle Paul goes on in verse 9-10 with: "nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example."
He commands here the beloved Thessalonian saints to reject the company of those brethren, all the members of the church, who persisted in their disorderly ways, so that they might be ashamed.

Disorderly persons do not stop, but grow worse and worse; for they take pleasure in their disorders; they choose their own ways, and delight in their abominations; the paths of sin are pleasant paths to them: and they are disorderly walkers, who pertinaciously and stubbornly continue in their disorders, notwithstanding the admonitions of private persons, and of the whole church; and of this sort there are such that walk disorderly
- in the world, in the commission of notorious and scandalous sins, such as
* uncleanness,
* intemperance,
* covetousness, etc.
- in families;
* as husbands that are not affectionate to their wives, and provide not for their household; and
* wives that are not in subjection to their husbands; parents that provoke their children to wrath;
and
* children that are disobedient to their parents;
* masters who give not that which is fit and equal to their servants; and
* servants that despise their masters because they are brethren, when they should serve them
the more cheerfully, because faithful and beloved:
- in churches,
* that fill not up their places, but neglect attendance with the church, on the word and ordinances;
and
* who are contentious and quarrelsome; and
* likewise such who entertain bad notions and principles, derogatory to the grace of God, the
person and offices of Christ, and the operations of the Spirit; who walk not according to the
instructions of the apostle Paul; and
* especially such are designed here, who are busy bodies, and idle persons, who work not at all,
but live at the tables, and upon the substance of others, as appears from 2 Thessalonians 3:11.

So the Apostle Paul teaches us that it is very important that all members of the church lead a ruly life in accordance with the tradition received from him.
Especially the clergy to give a good example to the rest.

47. Take collections in church for the poor (1 Cor. 16:1). Not for Grace Disp.

1 Corinthians 16:1 reads: "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also."

The apostle Paul refers here to the saints at Judea because this is what he had promised to the apostles of the circumcision (see Galatians 2:10). These saints, who had disposed of their goods, began to lack as the kingdom program with "all things common" (Acts 2:44) gave place to the dispensation of the mystery.

And so the gentile churches followed the Gentile believers who contributed gifts to "the brethren living in Judea." (Acts 11:29). They both did not attempt to feed the hungry world-wide or even to make the Jewish nation their responsibility, but only the members of the Jewish Church.

48. Men should not have long hair (1 Cor. 11:14). Grace Disp.

1 Corinthians 11:14 teaches: "Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him."

God says here that it is a shame for the man to wear long hair, and it is indeed sad to see young men, some of whom wish to appear so strong, let their hair grow down to their shoulders until they look like women - wearing the sign of the weaker vessel (1 Peter 3:7). Often this embarrasses their parents and loved ones, but most of all it displeases God, for His Word soundly condemns all forms of effeminate behavior in men, and the effeminate are listed with the most wicked sinners in 1 Corinthians 6:9,10.
Let us thank God that if saved, these rebels against God’s order can take hope in verse 11 of the same passage: "Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God."

Doctrinal Statement

Constitution and Bylaws

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