1. CENI CC : command EE : example NINI : necessary inference (or implication)

2. I The Position assumes Assumptions“The problem with those who embrace the CENI hermeneutic is they too frequently believe that what some mere man assumes or infers is EQUAL to what God Himself has commanded. Assumptions, then, very often become the basis for establishing authority with regard to the practice of the church.

3. The Position The Position, cont’d. God never commanded mentioned assumed LAWIt matters not that God never commanded such a practice; it matters not that God never even mentioned such a practice, or spoke either for or against it; if I have assumed or inferred something from my study of the Scripture, then that is now perceived to be universal LAW binding upon all people everywhere, and if any dare to transgress these decrees they will forfeit everlasting life!”

4. Aristotle, Locke, and Law Aristotle LockeSome claim that Aristotle invented such reasoning, and that John Locke (reformation theologian) perfected it jurisprudence statute precedentnecessary inferenceA lawyer: “The CENI concept comes in part from the common law of British-American jurisprudence. I was somewhat startled, while reading some old cases in law school nearly 20 years ago, to find an appeal for authority based either on express ‘statute,’ approved ‘precedent,’ or ‘necessary inference’

5. II The Purpose PreacherPreacher: 1 Co. 16 is a command to the churches of Corinth and Galatia; there is no evidence that it applies to all churches… LawyerLawyer: “There are today a considerable number of lawyer- preachers among us who detest legalism and proclaim the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ”

6. III The Problem 1. Misrepresentation: It’s not CENI, but SCENI (they omit “statement”) –SC ENI –S tatement or C ommand, Approved E xample, N ecessary I nference statement –Mk.16:16, a statement –If I mention CENI, I mean SCENI

7. 2. There is no substitute for SCENI –Someone proposed: “R.E.A.D.” –How did he reach that conclusion (that the text applies to him? What passage says so?) –Mt.19:4-6 (“read”) – SStatement (4) CCommand (5) EExample (4) NINecessary Implication (5-6)

8. A note from mom “To the manager of the grocery store: I have sent my son to purchase your smallest box of Tide detergent. Please see that he leaves the store with the correct change”“To the manager of the grocery store: I have sent my son to purchase your smallest box of Tide detergent. Please see that he leaves the store with the correct change” – Mrs. Baker –May the manager add water softener and cool-aid? –Does the design on the box change the order?

9. 3. SCENI is taught throughout the Bible Dt.4:2Dt.4:2 –Any addition or subtraction from the Word changes it and results in disobedience –Did this principle affect Jews of Jesus’ day and disciples of Jesus? Mt.15:…3-9, Jews Ga.3:15, Christians (6:2; 1:6-9)

10. 1 Chron. 13, 15 1 Chr.13:14, David had three months to study the issue David learned something about CENI

11. Nu.4:15; 7:7-9 Command; ProhibitionCommand; Prohibition ExampleExample example –Entire Pentateuch is an example of God giving law to Israel Necessary implicationNecessary implication (also 7:7-9) –Not one part of it had David’s name –This was 1000+ years before Aristotle!

12. What the passages do not say onlyKohath excludesNu.4 & 7 do not say “sons of Kohath only”; Kohath excludes everyone else onlyshoulders excludesNu.4 and 7 do not say “shoulder carrying only”; shoulders excludes every other method 1 Chr.15:2, David’s conclusion, based on study of Nu.4 & 7! Kohath –1 Chr.15:5, sons of Kohath (121 of them!)

13. 1 Chron. 15:13 – you youbecause you did not do it the first time (NKJV) ; because you did not carry it the first time (ESV) –The wrong personnel proper order ordinance rulebecause we did not consult Him about the proper order (NKJV) ; according to the ordinance (NASB) ; according to the rule (ESV) –The wrong procedure

14. Ac.10:19, 28, 34 thought about19, “thought about”: give serious thought to something; ponder shown28, “shown”: to prove or make clear by evidence or reasoning –God gave the capacity for reasoning w/in human thought just as He gave powers of communication perceive34, “perceive”: to process information... learn about something through process of inquiry

15. Ac. 10 & 11 Ac.10:47-48, Peter already knew about baptism for forgiveness, 2:38; now he knew about baptism for forgiveness of Gentiles, 2:39 inferred impliedbound it –He correctly inferred what God implied, and bound it on others Ac.11:1-18, Peter related these events and conclusions

16. Ac.11:1-18 1-3, “Gentiles” and “uncircumcised” –Peter’s audience “takes issue” w. him, “criticizes” him –Today: “too much reliance on Aristotle” or “human logic” 4-6, example 7-10, command / example 11-12, command / example 13-14, example / command

17. Ac.11:1-18, cont’d. 15-16, example/ necessary implication / statement 17, necessary implication (Peter’s) 18, necessary implication (audience’s) Ac.15 uses same SCENI format to convince Pharisees

18. Ph. 4:9 A command to follow examples makes his example a preceptPaul does not turn from precept to example, but makes his example a precept! Do“Do” (imperative) example…apatternPh.3:17, his example…a pattern –1 Co.4:17

19. 4. Those who deny CENI are agenda driven Work of churchWork of church examples –Milo Hadwin – examples not binding commandments –Now, neither are commandments! Apostasy is never static Next generation took Hadwin’s conclusions to the next level 1906 Christian Church

20. Worship of church –Ac.5, women leaders (LS; announcements; teaching over men, preaching, elders) –Ac.20:7, LS (Sat. nights; annually; w. (or as) common meal) –1 Co.16, giving not required weekly; Ep.5:19, mechanical music, etc. Plan of salvationPlan of salvation –If other examples not binding, why are these? E.g.: Ac.8:26-39

21. Morals –W’Vue today (SCENI) –W’Vue tomorrow (w/o SCENI): Social gospel, political causesSocial gospel, political causes Women elders and preachersWomen elders and preachers LS composed of different elements, partaken once a year, on Sat. night?LS composed of different elements, partaken once a year, on Sat. night? Raffles, rentRaffles, rent Musicals, choruses, plays, etc.Musicals, choruses, plays, etc. Adulterers, homosexuals et al. welcomedAdulterers, homosexuals et al. welcomed

22. Conclusion His it has been there all alongdiscovered today 1.Whatever God implies is His implication; it has been there all along, though I may have discovered it only today discovers produce – My reasoning merely discovers it; my reasoning does not produce it bindsGod’s word 2.The thing that binds us is God’s word, not my reading of it Law of gravity – Law of gravity