Don McClain 1 W. 65th St church of Christ / January, 13, 2008

Don McClain 2 W. 65th St church of Christ / January, 13, 2008

 The kingdom of heaven pertains to the spiritual– (Jn 18:36; Rom 14:17; Eph 1:3)  The spiritual nature of the New Covenant focuses on a change of the heart – not the establishment of numerous religious rituals - (Jer 31:31-34; Heb 8:8-12; 9:10)  The spiritual principles established by the New Covenant are binding and must be obeyed. Don McClain 3 W. 65th St church of Christ / January, 13, 2008

Vines - 9 times in NT – (4 GK words)  ἔ θος, ethos (a) "a custom, usage, prescribed by law," Acts 6:14; Acts 15:1; Acts 25:16; "a rite or ceremony," Luke 2:42; (b) a "custom, habit, manner," Luke 22:39; John 19:40; Heb. 10:25 (AV, "manner").— Don McClain 4 W. 65th St church of Christ / January, 13, 2008

Vines - 9 times in NT – (4 GK words)  συν ή θεια, synētheia - syn, "with," ethos (see No. 1), denotes (a) "an intercourse, intimacy," a meaning not found in the NT; (b) "a custom, customary usage," John 18:39; 1 Cor. 11:16; "or force of habit," 1 Cor. 8:7, RV, "being used to"... Don McClain 5 W. 65th St church of Christ / January, 13, 2008

 A custom that is a liberty may be practiced conditionally. – (Rom 14:5,13,15,19,20,23)  There were many customs practiced in Bible days that are not customary now.  To require that such a custom be practiced today, (unless that custom is bound by God), is to bind where God has not. Don McClain 6 W. 65th St church of Christ / January, 13, 2008

 A customary practice that is bound by divine law, (see ethos above)  The Old Testament is filled with rituals... (Heb 9:10)  There are but two rituals bound by the New Testament – Baptism and the Lord’s supper. - (Rom 6:3-6; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 11:23-29) Don McClain 7 W. 65th St church of Christ / January, 13, 2008

 If an outward act is only a cultural or incidental expression of a spiritual principle – that act is not to be elevated to a religious observance. – (Acts 15:1; Col 2:20-23; Gal 5:1-4)  We cannot bind cultural custom as Divine Law Don McClain 8 W. 65th St church of Christ / January, 13, 2008

 Circumcision was a divinely prescribed custom under the Old Law – (Gen 17:9-14)  The Old Law has been done away with – (Col 2:13-15)  As a customary practice, it is innocent – (Acts 16:1-3)  But – it is wrong to bind it on men today – (Gal 2:3-5) Don McClain 9 W. 65th St church of Christ / January, 13, 2008

 The Lord instructed His disciples to “ wash each other’s feet ”– (John 13:1-17)  A customary practice exhibiting hospitality – (Luke 7:44)  It is not wrong to wash another person’s feet – but to turn it into a religious ceremony would be wrong. Don McClain 10 W. 65th St church of Christ / January, 13, 2008

 The disciples were told to greet one another with a “holy kiss”– (Ro 16:16; 1Co 16:20; 2Co 13:12; 1Th 5:26)  A customary practice of greeting – (Luke 7:45)  The spiritual principle would involve the idea of greeting another in a way that expresses fellowship. Don McClain 11 W. 65th St church of Christ / January, 13, 2008

 The custom of “ lifting up holy hands ” to pray was so widespread Paul used the custom as a metonymy to mean “pray” - (1 Tim 2:8)  People with divine approval also prayed while beating their breast, (Luke 18:13), kneeling down, (Acts 20:36), etc. There is no bound posture in prayer  There is an overriding spiritual principle – Trust God and be pure when approaching Him. Don McClain 12 W. 65th St church of Christ / January, 13, 2008

 The custom of “ laying on hands ” – To do harm, (Gen 37:22), impart blessing, (Gen 48:14-16), transfer guilt, (Lev 1:4; 16:21,22), ordaining into office, (Num 8:9-11), healing, (Mark 6:5), imparting spiritual gifts, (Acts 19:6), set apart for work, (Acts 13:1-3).  Primarily expressed fellowship & approval as the apostles extending to Paul and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship – (Gal 2:9) Don McClain 13 W. 65th St church of Christ / January, 13, 2008

 Women customarily wore an artificial covering to symbolize their moral virtue and subjection to men – (1 Cor 11:2-16)  Paul specifically describes the practice as a “custom” ( vs, 16 ), (synētheia) which the women in Corinth were to follow when praying or prophesying - (1 Cor 11:16) Don McClain 14 W. 65th St church of Christ / January, 13, 2008

 The spiritual principle? – Women are to be in subjection to men. (14:34-37; 1 Pet 3:1-6)  The spiritual principle goes all the way back to the beginning, (1 Tim 2:11-14), and is binding.  If the custom is to wear an artificial veil – wear it – but we cannot elevate the custom to the level of a divine rite. Don McClain 15 W. 65th St church of Christ / January, 13, 2008

 If an outward act is only a cultural or incidental expression of a spiritual principle – that act is not to be elevated to a religious observance. – (Acts 15:1; Col 2:20-23; Gal 5:1-4)  We cannot bind cultural custom as Divine Law Don McClain 16 W. 65th St church of Christ / January, 13, 2008

 One of the striking differences between the Old Testament service and worship and that of the New Testament is the complex ritualism of the Old and the simplicity of the New.  We must not abandon the liberty we have in Christ for the ritualism of the Old Testament. Don McClain 17 W. 65th St church of Christ / January, 13, 2008

Don McClain 18 W. 65th St church of Christ / January, 13, 2008