Four Questions for Our Assemblies:
- Why do we do what we do in the assembly? … Commands — NT pattern, what has been revealed
- How do we do it? … Traditions — custom
- Is there a way we can do it better? … Expedients — improve what we do to be more effective
- Are there changes we must not make? … Innovations — changes to the pattern, departing from the truth
Commands
- It is essential that we follow the NT pattern (2 Timothy 1:13; Hebrews 8:5)
- Christ has all authority (Matthew 28:18) — therefore we must do what He authorizes (Colossians 3:17)
Traditions (3 types)
- Traditions handed down by the apostles (2 Thessalonians 2:15) — these we must keep (2 Thessalonians 3:6)
- Human traditions that are authorized — how we customarily do things; must be authorized (Colossians 3:17)
- Human traditions that are unauthorized (Matthew 15:3-6)
Expedients
- Something that is expedient means that it is profitable, better
- By NT definition, an expedient will always be authorized (1 Corinthians 10:23)
Innovations
- Often claimed to be expedient, but are not lawful (1 Corinthians 10:23)
- Result of man trusting in his own way (Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 14:12)
