The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Is the Sunday sermon Biblical?

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A correct understanding of Scripture and in this particular case in the matter of the "Sunday sermon", one must exercise prudence through the use of the Analogy of Faith, i.e., comparing Scripture with Scripture. The two texts which you quoted, 1Cor 14:26 and Heb 10:24, 25 do speak of what some assemblies were doing at the time that Paul wrote them. However, there is no mandate in those passages which would direct the Church as to a universal polity for the Church. To find out what should be done, one must consult biblical passages (didactic) which deal specifically with this subject. Those can be found in the Pastoral Epistles where Paul sets forth particular elements concerning the structure of the Church, e.g., the ordaining of Elders and Deacons, their authority and responsibilities. Paul told Timothy that he was to "preach the word" (2Tim 4:2) which is to be distinguished from teaching (Col 1:28) in that it includes an authoritative aspect to it where Scripture is read, then expounded and then applied to the assembly of believers. For this reason, Christ appointed some to be "pastors and teachers" (Eph 4:11; cf. Jer 3:15; 1Cor 12:29; 1Pet 5:1-3) for the purpose of instructing, guiding and even discipling those who professed Christ.

Perhaps it would be beneficial to you to read through some classic works on Ecclesiology, e.g., The Church of Christ by James Bannerman, The Scriptural Doctrine of the Church by D. Douglas Bannerman and Preaching and Preachers by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.

In His grace,