The document discusses decision-making in churches, emphasizing the flawed method of using the Command, Example, Inference, and Silence (CEIS) approach, which the author contends is based on outdated theories. It critiques CEIS for its rigid assumptions and the dangers of prioritizing human reasoning over scriptural guidance. The author argues that this method can create divisions and restrict the freedom of interpretation necessary for engaging with contemporary cultural situations.

1. How Churches
Make Decisions
Mark Ciampa
1

2. How Churches
Make Decisions
Not
2

3. Not
 Not lecture
 Not free-for-all of what
everyone thinks
 Is open study from
Scriptures and
discussion for WCC
3

4. Not
 Not bashing of what
other groups think
 Not overlook incorrect
interpretations
 Is examination of
different views
4

5. Not
Not easy
Not all agree
Not setting to
feel intimidated
5

6. Not
Not WCC official
position
Not to create
replacement checklist
Not matter
6

7. Outline
 Flawed method
 How decisions were made
by NT churches
 Principles for WCC to
consider
7

8. How Churches
Make Decisions
Flawed Method
8

9. CEIS
Command
Example
Inference
Silence
9

10. CEIS
 “Establish Bible authority”
 Sometimes called “patternism”
 Based on false scientific theory
(Baconian inductivism) popular in
late 1800’s
 Promoted by J. Lamar, M. Lard, R.
Milligan, R. Richardson 10

11. CEIS
 New Testament not instructive in its
native narrative format
 CEIS must be invoked to understand
NT correctly and completely
 A person cannot read and understand
Bible without using CEIS method
 Churches must use CEIS when making
decisions 11

12. CEIS Steps
1. Is there a specific command?
2. If not command, is there approved
apostolic example?
3. If no example, is there an
inference to be made?
4. If no command, example, or
inference, then Scriptures are
silent and silence forbids it
12

13. Commands
 When God commands it must be
done
 Commands are “prescriptions
given as declarative statements”
 Commands are clear, plain,
understandable, concise
13

14. CEIS Examples
 Carries same weight as
command
 Must be approved and
apostolic
 All NT church examples are
always binding for today 14

15. CEIS Inferences
 To derive by deduction; to
conclude or surmise as a
consequence; to imply
 Carries same weight as
direct command of God
 Strict matter of faith
15

16. CEIS Silence
 Silence forbids
 If Scriptures do not address
then man has no authority to
act
 To guard against “anything is
permissible if not specifically
mentioned” 16

17. 1 Cor. 16:1-4
 Command: Give
 Example: Give each week
 Inference: Perpetual church
treasury to dispense funds
 Silence: Only on Sunday (says
nothing about Tuesdays)
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18. How Churches
Make Decisions
Response to CEIS
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19. 1 Cor. 16:1-4
 “Told Galatian churches” –
But not all churches?
 “So that no collections will
have to be made when I
come” - Not designed to be
always collecting
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20. Response to CEIS Examples
 Are examples prescriptive or
descriptive?
 Are examples an example or
the example?
 Purpose of examples is to
reinforce commands 20

21. Response to CEIS Examples
 John 13:12-17
 Jesus is providing an
example that reinforces His
instructions
 Not the exclusive example of
the only way to serve others
21

22. Response to CEIS Inferences
 Inferences are elevated in
status to a direct command
 Based on reasoning and
conclusions of man
 Requires following checklist
of human criteria 22

23. Response to CEIS Inferences
 Acts 20:7-11
 Inferred that this is only time
to take Lord’s Supper
 Was Acts 2:46-47 Lord’s
Supper?
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24. Response to CEIS Silence
 Parent gives child $10 to buy
gallon of milk but returns
with milk and bread
 “I didn’t say to buy bread”
 “You didn’t say I could not”
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25. Response to CEIS Silence
 Child remembered out of bread
 Child shows initiative, character,
responsibility
 Has parent made child scared to act or
given him freedom to enhance task?
 Does a parent really want a child who
only follows specific commands?
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26. Response to CEIS Silence
 Matthew 25:14-30
 Matthew 12:1-8 – Silence of
Law not prohibit activity
 God given us freedom to
apply His principles to our
everyday cultural situations
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27. How Churches
Make Decisions
Warnings &
Dangers of CEIS 27

28. Warnings to CEIS
 Matthew 15:1-9 – Binding
precepts that originated
from man
 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 – Law
vs. Spirit
 1 Timothy 6:2-5 - Divisions
28

29. Assumptions of CEIS
 Assumes hidden and
complete blueprint in NT
 Assumes justification based
on how closely humans
follow pattern created by
CEIS
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30. Dangers of CEIS
 Nothing stated or implied in
NT about CEIS: if so critically
important, why no mention?
 Makes rejection CEIS
condition of fellowship
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31. Dangers of CEIS
 Arbitrarily, capriciously, and
inconsistently applied
 Rejects based on “culture”
 Forgets John 14:6
 Ignores Romans 8:1
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32. Dangers of CEIS
 Makes human reasoning
primary focus
 Dethrones Jesus: CEIS
becomes test of faith,
purpose of church, focus of
teaching
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33. How Churches
Make Decisions
Mark Ciampa
33