Cultural Practices Contrary to Scripture in Ministry Context
Cultural Practices in Ministry: Scriptural Guidance
The Bible provides guidance on cultural practices that may be contrary to Scripture in ministry contexts, emphasizing the importance of separating oneself from worldly influences. In Ezekiel 44:19, the priests are instructed to remove their sacred garments when they go out into the outer court to mingle with the people, symbolizing the distinction between sacred and secular [5]. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where ministers are cautioned against being "carried away by diverse and strange doctrines" (Hebrews 13:9) [3].
The appointment and qualification of ministers are also subject to scriptural guidelines. According to 1 Timothy 1:12, it is Christ who puts men into the ministry and qualifies them for it. This underscores the divine origin of the ministry and the need for ministers to be faithful to their calling [2]. In Hebrews 5:4, the importance of being called by God to the ministry is highlighted, warning against those who might "take to themselves" the office without divine authorization [1].
The early Christian church faced challenges related to cultural practices, particularly those inherited from Judaism. The apostles and other ministers were determined to move beyond the "rudiments" of the law and focus on the more substantial aspects of the Gospel (Hebrews 6:3) [6]. This transition involved distinguishing between practices that were essential to the Christian faith and those that were merely cultural or traditional.
In the context of ministry, cultural practices can sometimes be at odds with scriptural teachings. For instance, the emphasis on certain traditions or rituals can overshadow the core message of the Gospel. Ministers are thus advised to be mindful of their attire and behavior, both within and outside the church, to avoid confusing the sacred with the secular (Ezekiel 44:19) [5]. The New Testament also highlights the diversity of ministries within the church, with different individuals being called to various roles such as apostles, prophets, pastors, and teachers (1 Corinthians 12:5) [7].
The Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill's commentaries, emphasizes the importance of adhering to scriptural principles in ministry. Gill notes that ministers should be aware of their role and the distinction between their sacred duties and their interactions with the world [3, 4, 5]. This awareness is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the ministry and avoiding the influence of "strange doctrines" [3].
Sources
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 5:4: no man--of any other family but Aaron's, according to the Mosaic law, can take to himself the office of high priest. This verse is quoted by some to prove the need of an apostolic succession of ordination in the Christian ministry; but the reference here is to the priesthood, not the Christian ministry. The analogy in our Christian dispensation would warn ministers, seeing that God has separated them from the congregation of His people to bring them near Himself, and to do the service of His house, and to minister (as He separated the Levites, Korah wi”
- 1 Timothy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Timothy 1:12: Here the apostle, I. Returns thanks to Jesus Christ for putting him into the ministry. Observe, 1. It is Christ's work to put men into the ministry, Act 26:16, Act 26:17. God condemned the false prophets among the Jews in these words, I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied, Jer 23:21. Ministers, properly speaking, cannot make themselves ministers; for it is Christ's work, as king and head, prophet and teacher, of his church. 2. Those whom he puts into the ministry he fits for it; whom he calls he qualifies. ”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 13:9: Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines,.... The word "divers" may denote the variety and multitude of other doctrines; referring either to the various rites and ceremonies of the law, or to the traditions of the elders, or to the several doctrines of men, whether Jews or Gentiles; whereas the doctrine of the Scriptures, of Christ, and his apostles, is but one; it is uniform, and all of a piece; and so may likewise denote the disagreement of other doctrines with the perfections of God, the person and offices of Christ, the Scriptures of truth, the anal”
- Ezekiel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ezekiel 44:11: Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary,.... Though degraded from their office as priests and ministers of the word, yet being restored from their sins and errors, shall have a place in the house of God, and do their work there in a less honourable and a more servile way; as in former times, when ministers had sinned foully, and were degraded from their office, upon repentance they were not restored to that, but only admitted to lay communion; see Kg2 23:9, having charge at the gates of the house; like those sort of Levites who were porters and doorkeepers in ”
- Ezekiel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ezekiel 44:19: And when they go forth into the utter court,.... Out of the inner court where they minister, when they have done their service: even into the utter court to the people; out of the church into the world, where the people are, doing their business, whether good men or bad: they shall put off their garments wherein they ministered, and lay them in the holy chambers; the north and south chambers; See Gill on Eze 42:13, Eze 42:14, and they shall put on other garments; which are their outward conversation garments, which are proper to appear in before men, for the h”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 6:3: And this will we do, if God permit. That is, leave the rites and ceremonies of the law, which were the rudiments, or first principles of the Gospel, and go on to a more perfect knowledge of Gospel truths; and, not lay again as the foundation of the ministry, or insist upon them as if they were the main things, even the above articles of the Jewish creed, especially in the, way and manner in which they had been taught and learnt: the sense is, that the apostle and his brethren, in the ministry were determined to insist upon the more solid and substantial parts of the G”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 12:5: And there are differences of administrations,.... Or ministries; offices in the church, ministered in by different persons, as apostles, prophets, pastors, or teachers and deacons; who were employed in planting and forming of churches, ordaining elders, preaching the word, administering ordinances, and taking care of the poor; for which different gifts were bestowed on them, they not all having the same office. But the same Lord; meaning either Jesus Christ, whom the believer, by the Holy Ghost, says is Lord; who, as the ascended King of saints, and Lord and ”