Command vs Inference

Many have been teaching that Alexander Campbell introduced our hermeneutic of Command, example, or necessary inference into the Christian world, but many groups used the concept before and after Campbell.

Sabbatarian prophetess Ellen G. White used the argument of silence of the scriptures to say there is no explicit command to change the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday.

     It is a fact generally admitted by Protestants, that the Scriptures give no authority for the change of the Sabbath. This is plainly stated in publications issued by the American Tract Society and the American Sunday-school Union. One of these works acknowledges "the complete silence of the New Testament so far as any explicit command for the Sabbath [Sunday, the first day of the week] or definite rules for its observance are concerned." ["THE ABIDING SABBATH," p. 184, A $500 PRIZE ESSAY.] {GC88 447.2}

It was common in that era to discuss how the New Testament ordered our worship.Many denied that an example or inference could provide authority for what the church does.

As in the Sabbath controversy, where Acts 20:7 showed example of meeting upon the first day, but not in commandment form. It was a stated practice, as in I Corinthians 16:1-2, where meeting on the first day every week is illustrated.

Acts 20:7 isn't saying it is ok to change the meeting day from Sabbath to Sunday, but is declaring the day had already been changed and was already being practiced; thus Ellen White's argument falls apart. The New Testament was silent about when it was commanded, but not silent about the ongoing practice and its apostolic acceptance.

Since it was not in commandment form many denied it was given for our continued practice. Yet, we see in I Cor. 16 the command of giving, while the meeting day was described as an on going practice adopted.

The assumption that this was set in order by the apostles.

This meets the terms decently and in order.

1. Decently means without argument so that you peacefully adopt what is given.

2. In order means in the order given or as ordered.

Many false teachers deny we can be ordered simply by example, without commands. We can. Many people hated the church because our logic drew conclusions that did not support their agendas.

The same is true today, those wanting un-ordered freedom to practice as they please pretty much despise these concepts. They come into play often when discussing what Christ left us to practice.

The catholic church sees this as an example of their authority to change days, but it would be an assumption that Christ gave any authority to altar what the apostles ordered.

The Collection for the Saints

1Co 16:1  NowG1161 concerningG4012 theG3588 collectionG3048 forG1519 theG3588 saints,G40 asG5618 I have given orderG1299 to theG3588 churchesG1577 of Galatia,G1053 evenG2532 soG3779 doG4160 ye.G5210 

Paul affirms he gave order and tells others to follow the preceeding order.

The word order doesn't mean commandment, but means to thoroughly arrange the way it is to be done. We just have to see the arrangement. Again, decently and in order means by set arrangement, many take it to mean to use our conscience to determine if something is acceptable. It isn't giving self-direction, but prescribed order.

1Co 14:40  Let all thingsG3956 be doneG1096 decentlyG2156 andG2532 inG2596 order.G5010 

taxis

tax'-is

From G5021; regular arrangement, that is, (in time) fixed succession (of rank or character), official dignity: - order.