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)
17
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
19
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?
23
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”
24
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?
25
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
26
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
29
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
30
31. Dangers of CEIS
Arbitrarily, capriciously, and
inconsistently applied
Rejects based on “culture”
Forgets John 14:6
Ignores Romans 8:1
31
32. Dangers of CEIS
Makes human reasoning
primary focus
Dethrones Jesus: CEIS
becomes test of faith,
purpose of church, focus of
teaching
32