Part 2:  Biblical Authority and Bible Study 

When the Scriptures are Silent 

Often Biblical directives and examples do not define or illustrate important elements of worship, church organization and church activities.  Some of these are: How often should the communion be served; how many elders should a church have; when should the church meet, how often and where; should the church’s building have a nursery or a kitchen?  These and other questions have sometimes shattered individual congregations.

When the scriptures do not speak on any given subject there are ways the question can be resolved.  Some examples follow:

The Communion.  From the example in Acts, Chapter 20, Verse 7 we find that the saints regularly met together on the first day of the week to break bread.  With little doubt, this was to partake of the Lord’s Supper. Since the Lord’s Supper was their primary reason for meeting, they very likely partook weekly.  We have to examine and use the examples of the First-Century Christians.

How many elders?  We only know that multiple elders were appointed in every place when the Apostle Paul sent Titus and others to do this task.  Multiple is two or more.  When more than one man is appointed, and they meet scriptural requirements, the standard has been met.

Where should the church meet?  Jesus and the apostles met for the very first Lord’s Supper in an upper room, obviously rented.  The earliest example of the saints meeting together is recorded in the book of Acts.  Immediately after the church began (see Acts, Chapter 2) the converts met daily from house-to-house, for prayer.  Later they met weekly in private homes.  We know that the Roman Christians, because of fear of persecution, met deep below the city in tunnels called “catacombs.”  It would seem that, since we are not told otherwise, any suitable meeting place could be used.

Should the church’s building have a kitchen?  We know that whatever its form the building or meeting place is not hallowed.  It is the reverence of God and the dedicated lives of the worshippers that are important.  Thus it would seem that the building could contain whatever refinements the congregation might want and afford.  Here, however, their past traditions might tend to upset some members.  They may feel, strongly, that the building should be isolated from association with entertainment and used for worship only.  The surroundings, they believe, will thus help the congregation to better concentrate on their worship.  The conscience of any that disagree should be carefully considered before adopting such changes.

Whatever the problem, it is important to carefully consider the conscience of every member.  In 1st Corinthians, Chapter 10, Verses 31 and 32 Paul writes:

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God--even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.”

In matters not treated in the scriptures we can, within reason, act on our own.  We must be exceedingly careful, however, never to violate Biblical precepts.  We should always follow the written Word or examples given to us.  First Corinthians, Chapter 4, Verses 6 and 7 and other verses caution us strongly to not go beyond what is written.