Unfortunately, much of the teaching in modern Christianity is hit-and-miss. It includes sermons, books, and Bible studies that are often not well-connected in a way that helps Christians become “firmly rooted” (Colossians 2:6) in the faith.
Whatever happened to the common practice in the early church based on the idea of training every believer in a comprehensive understanding and practice of the “the elementary principles” of the faith (see Colossians 2:8 and Hebrews 5:11-14)?
These “elementary” or first principles represent the first things that should be learned by a new disciple—a foundation upon which everything else is built. There is a great need for this 'foundation laying' work in the lives of believers in our churches today!
Could the lack of attention to this work be a major factor in the prevalence of false teaching and embarrassing expressions of 'Evangelicalism'? Isn't this a clear sign of a weak and immature North American Church? Why else would so many well-meaning Christians be so unprepared and simplistic in their understanding and grounding in the faith?
There is a great need to return to the patterns and models of the New Testament in our churches today!
"Traditions"
In his early letters Paul refers to commands, traditions,
and instructions. Paul understood that
he was delivering to the churches a tradition that was to be followed by all of
the churches. He uses the term παράδοσις (paradosis)[1] which means ‘that which is passed
on’ in reference to the
teachings that the apostles gave to the churches by word of mouth or by letter.
(2Thes 2:15, 1Cor 11:2). This is the
same word for ‘the traditions’ of the elders (Matt 15, Mark 7). Paul understood the tradition he was passing
on as the instructions or commands of Christ (1Thes 4:2). He considered those who did not follow this
body of teaching as unruly or disorderly (2Thes 3:6).
"Pattern"
In his middle letters
he also refers to traditions but also uses terms like: the faith, rule of
faith, pattern, and elementary principles.
His main concern is for the churches to stay within the standard of
truth that they had received (Col 2:6-8, Phil 2:5). The phrase ‘elementary principles’ comes from
the Greek word στοιχεῖον (stoicheion) or στοιχέω
(stoicheō) which conveys the idea of living by rule or by principle.[2] Paul calls the
churches to follow his example and take note of those who ‘live according to
the pattern we gave you’ (Phil 3:17).
Paul expected them to pattern their lives according to the teaching, to
not waver from it, and to strive to preserve it.
"Sound Doctrine"
In his latter letters
the main term Paul uses in reference to the apostles teaching is ‘sound
doctrine’. In these letters Paul is more
concerned about the soundness of the teaching because he knew that false
teaching and false teachers would come after him and possibly derail the
progress of the churches he had founded.
The term sound comes from the
Greek word ὑγιαίνω (hygiainō) and means to be
healthy or well.
[3] Paul’s concern
is not just the accuracy of the teaching but that it is being lived out - that
it is wholesome. This implies that he
viewed his doctrine as not merely a system of truths but also a way of life –
the core convictions of the faith cannot be divorced from the behavior of
believers. [4] Doctrine is
from the Greek word διδασκαλία (didaskalia)[5] or διδαχή
(didachē) [6], which refers
to the body of teaching that was entrusted to Paul and that he passed on to the
churches. He is entrusting this teaching
to his faithful men asking them to guard it and teach it to others (2Tim 1:13-2:2).
For Paul and his leaders, establishing new churches in the
teaching that was entrusted to them was of primary importance. Paul’s letters to the Thessalonian church
gives us a glimpse of how he went about establishing churches in sound
doctrine.
Founding
the Thessalonian church
Some Jews, a large number of God fearing Greeks, and a
number of prominent women formed the initial church plant during Paul’s brief
visit to Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9). Paul
recounts that their conversion was marked by the power of God’s spirit and deep
conviction (1Thes 1:5). A set of
convictions (the Kerygma / Gospel message) were
received. This was accompanied by a
commitment to a new way of life. They
turned from idols to serve the living God (1Thes 1:9), and they became
imitators of the apostles and the Lord (1Thes 1:6) in such a way that the
Lord’s message ‘rang out’ from them (1Thes 1:8)
Shaping
the Thessalonian church
During his stay, Paul cared for them like a loving parent
sharing his life with them, encouraging, comforting and urging them to live
lives worthy of the Gospel (1Thes 2:7-12).
Paul was passing on instructions about how to live. This teaching (Didaché) was being given by the authority of the Lord Jesus and
received as God’s word to them (1Thes 4:1-2, 2:13). It seems that this process was interrupted
when Paul and Silas had to leave suddenly because of persecution (Acts
17:5-10). Paul indicates that his team
desires to visit them again to ‘supply what is lacking in your faith’ (1Thes
3:10).
Stabilizing the Thessalonian church
Concerned about his quick departure and the threats of false teachers and various trials, Paul seeks to stabilize the Thessalonian church by sending Timothy, writing letters, and directing the believers to continue among themselves the nurture he had begun (1Thes 3:2-3, 2Thes 2:2). [1] Paul instructs the church to stand firm in the teaching that was passed on to them by word of mouth and letter (2Thes 2:15). He tells them to appreciate those in the church who are in leadership and continuing to instruct the believers (1Thes 5:12). He encourages the church to continue to nurture one another in the teaching, to warn, encourage, and help (1Thes 5:14). All this is done with great confidence that the Lord himself is personally encouraging and empowering (2Thes 2:16-17). His letters contain no new teaching but simply encourage the church to continue in the Kerygma and Didaché. [2]
Concerned about his quick departure and the threats of false teachers and various trials, Paul seeks to stabilize the Thessalonian church by sending Timothy, writing letters, and directing the believers to continue among themselves the nurture he had begun (1Thes 3:2-3, 2Thes 2:2). [1] Paul instructs the church to stand firm in the teaching that was passed on to them by word of mouth and letter (2Thes 2:15). He tells them to appreciate those in the church who are in leadership and continuing to instruct the believers (1Thes 5:12). He encourages the church to continue to nurture one another in the teaching, to warn, encourage, and help (1Thes 5:14). All this is done with great confidence that the Lord himself is personally encouraging and empowering (2Thes 2:16-17). His letters contain no new teaching but simply encourage the church to continue in the Kerygma and Didaché. [2]
[1] #4142 Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Greek (New Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
[2] #4747 and #4748 Thomas, R. L. (1998). New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek dictionaries : Updated edition. Anaheim: Foundation Publications, Inc.
[3] #5617 Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Greek (New Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
[4] Dodd, C. H., Columbia University Press (1951). “Preaching and Teaching in the Early Church,” chapter one taken from: Gospel and Law. p5-6
[5] #1436 Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Greek (New Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
[6] #1322 Thomas, R. L. (1998). New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek dictionaries : Updated edition. Anaheim: Foundation Publications, Inc.
[1] Malherbe, Abraham J., Fortress Press
(1987). “Nurturing The Community”, chapter
three taken from: Paul and The
Thessalonians. p61
[2] Malherbe, Abraham J., Fortress Press
(1987). “Nurturing The Community”, chapter
three taken from: Paul and The
Thessalonians. p70
Comments