Episode 12: The Four Marks of a Biblical Faith Acts 2:42

Episode 12: Four Marks of Biblical Faith in Acts 2:42

 

Andrewes discusses the various imaginations which have led men and women to stray from the positive, outward forms of worship approved by God.

June 11, 2024

Sermon II of Lancelot Andrewes Preached at Sundry Times upon Several Occasions

Preached in the Parish of St. Giles, Cripplegate on January 9, 1592.

 

Copies can be found in Lancelot Andrewes Works,

Sermons, Volume Five, or on The Project Canterbury Website.

 

Summary:

      Andrewes highlights a variety of ways we can be tempted to stray to the right or to the left (cf.Deut.17:11) of the biblical, historical model of Faith as handed down by the Apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in the breaking of bread and the prayers, opting rather for more attractive models produced by man’s fancy and imagination.

 

 

1. Introduction: The Biblical Model and The Origins of Contrary Imaginations
   1. Biblical Worship in Acts 2:42 involved:
      1. The Apostles’ Doctrine
         1. Salvation is neither a system of legalism or licentiousness
         2. Faith is best practiced when aligned with the first centuries
      2. The Apostles' Society, or Fellowship
         1. The Apostles’ Doctrine is meant to bring us into the Apostles’ Fellowship
         2. Jesus intended the Fellowship to be Governed by His Apostolic authorities
      3. Breaking of Bread
         1. It’s the primary mark of the Apostles’ Fellowship to be practiced regularly
         2. Instituted by Christ as both a Sacrament and Sacrifice
      4. The Prayers
         1. Invocation is the primary habit of those in the Apostles’ Fellowship
         2. A meaningful prayer life utilizes both written and extemporaneous forms
   2. Origins of Contrary Imaginations
      1. Inspiration comes from the Devil to stray outside the bounds of revelation. St. Augustine, “The devil, seeing the temples of the demons deserted, and the human race running to the name of the liberating Mediator, has moved the heretics under the Christian name to resist the Christian doctrine” (City of God, Ch.51).
      2. Yester-year’s heresies (as were delt with by Solomon, Ecc.7:29 & Paul, Eph.4:14) dressed anew
      3. Doctrines of crafty men (Matt.15:9)
         1. Pharisees & Sadducees (16:12)
         2. Nicolaintes (2:6,14-15) – taught some degree of participation in the idolatrous culture of Ephesus was permissible. MORE on his followers below (IV.a.i).
2. Contrary Imaginations from Gentile Philosophy, which twists Biblical worship (the philosopher’s gloss)
   1. Simon Magus (a converted heathen philosopher),
      1. The first heretic
      2. Strayed into New Age sorcery/magic (cf.Act.8:9-24)
   2. Valentinus (Not St. Valentine) & Basilides strayed into Gnosticism
      1. Dualism of Spirit and Matter: Only inner Spirit matters, bodily sins do not
      2. Reliance upon subjective Spiritual knowledge/feelings
   3. Manichee
      1. Dualism of Good/Light/God and Evil/Dark/Satan
      2. All things are ordained so how you live doesn’t really matter
   4. Pelagian
      1. Man’s will is completely free and able to keep God’s Law
      2. Man doesn’t necessarily need the grace of Christ
3. Contrary Imaginations from Judaism, which add to Biblical Worship (The Pharisee’s addition)
   1. Ebion (Acts 15)
      1. 2nd heretic behind Simon Magus for “adoptionism” (Jesus is Son of God by adoption)
      2. Heir of the New Testament’s Judaizers (deposed by Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, Tertullian)
   2. The Ascetic, Angel Worshippers (2:18)
4. Contrary Imaginations from Christianity, which corrupt Biblical Worship (Christian perversion)
   1. Perversions of the Apostles’ Doctrine (both its matter/substance, and its manner/ceremony)
      1. Nicolas (Rev.2:6) & Carpocrates – attacked foundation
         1. “Carnal-Gospellers” who say there is no need for “repentance” or faithfulness as long as a person believed the Gospel.
         2. “Faith is all that matters” repentance and how one lives has no effect
         3. Salvation is by “right knowledge” (if you know the creeds, you are saved)
      2. Latinus & the Encratites – attacked foundation
         1. “Strict livers”/“civil Christians” who say “faith” is not mandatory
         2. Just live a moral, upright and just life
         3. Salvation by “right behavior” (who needs creeds if you’re doing the deeds)
      3. Cathari, (original Puritans) & Donatists – attacked the building upon
         1. Cathari imagined that biblical worship involved being pure to the discipline and exact pattern of the Apostles
            1. Keeping for example, love-feasts after the Sacrament, and
            2. Celebrating the Sacrament after supper (Strict keepers of Didache).
         2. Donatist emphasized the clergy had to be faultless to Apostolic teaching for their prayers and sacraments to be valid.
      4. Other attacks upon the ceremony of the Apostle’s doctrine
         1. Some say no ceremony while others say every ceremony
            1. Women covering heads (11:5)
            2. Everything thing done decently and in order (14:40)
            3. Eating of food sacrificed to idols (8)
         2. May there be diversity in diverse places, but all hold the unity of faith
      5. Other attacks on the delivery of the Apostles’ doctrine (imaginings of new ways to deliver the faith/imaginations of novelty)
         1. Dumbed Down – no Latin or Greek, or need to think
         2. Truncated – no Apocrypha or Pseudepigrapha
         3. A-historical – no Jewish context or comparisons
         4. Incestual – no outside voices or authorities
   2. Perversions of the Apostles’ Fellowship Imagining Different Governmental Leadership – (“Many Christians walk as enemies of the Cross,” Phil.3:18)
      1. Jesus instituted its Government to be of two Degrees (Andrewes expounds on this more in his A Summary View of The Government Both of The Old and New Testament: whereby The Episcopal Government of Christ’s Church is Vindicated):
         1. The 12 (Apostles, now succeeded by bishops), and
         2. The 70 (Ministers, now succeeded by presbyters/priests)
      2. Modern imaginations say it should be three: lay-elders, Pastors, Doctors
         1. They use 1Corinthians 12:28 (apostles, prophets, and teachers)
         2. They use Ephesians 4:11 (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers)
         3. They use Romans 12:6-8 (other spiritual giftings)
      3. Even though these imaginations were unheard of until the Reformation:
         1. While St. Chrysostom maintained that some Priest/Elders/ Presbyters should only baptize while others taught, yet neither he, nor those before him, ever mention lay-elders as pastors and elders. He says, “For preaching the Gospel is a work perhaps for one or two; but baptizing, for everyone endowed with the priesthood… we commit this matter to the simpler sort of presbyters, but the word of doctrine unto the wiser… Wherefore [Paul] says himself (5:17), ‘Let the Elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and in teaching.’” (St. Chrysostom on 1Corinthians 1:17)
         2. St. Jerome also taught that “pastors and teachers” were not separate offices but were both one.
         3. St. Augustine likewise when asked whether “pastors and teachers” ought to be distinguished replied that they were the same, like a compound name.
         4. Justin Martyr said Deacons distribute Communion.
         5. Tertullian, Cyprian, and others say Deacons do Baptism.
   3. Perverted Imaginations touching the “Breaking of Bread”
      1. Imaginations of the Church of Rome
         1. In his day, some in the Church of Rome would omit the “fracture” contrary to 1Corinthians 10:16-18 where the Eucharist is essentially equated with the “peace-offering.”
         2. No Bread to break as transubstantiation supposedly occurs at consecration and therefore the fracture is a breaking of Christ’s Body.
      2. Imaginations which “fancy only a Sacrament,” a memorial
         1. Although Scripture says it is for covenant renewal (23:20)
         2. Although Scripture calls it a sacrifice (16-18, and the table an altar Heb.13:10)
      3. Imaginations which separate the Breaking of Bread from the moral obligations they necessitate like caring for our pour brethren (the bread of the needy, Isa.58:7)
         1. Jesus’ command to the rich, you ruler: “Give to the poor” (10:21)
         2. Offertory for poor replaces the agape love feasts which served as a ministry to feed the poorer members (11:20-34)
      4. Imaginations to not break the bread regularly
         1. Some imagine it ought only to be done annually, whereas the Primitive Church did it 1 to 3 times a week.
         2. Some imagine they are not worthy of it, yet by this reasoning they are unfit for prayer as well.
   4. Perverted Imaginations concerning Prayer
      1. Some imagine no need to use the “Our Father” although Jesus commanded it (Matt.6:9-13), and even St. Augustine said that the universal Church had always used it to begin and end her prayers.
      2. Imaginations in one direction by the Church of Rome
         1. No need to pray with the mind (14:14-15) but simply say the Latin prayers, or unmindfully recite rosaries and pray who psalters.
      3. Imaginations in the other direction by the Protestants
         1. Finding fault with any liturgy, they opt for extemporaneous prayers, which still can be as unfruitful as Latin prayers
         2. Finding fault with rosaries, they ramble on with Pharisaical, long prayers thinking it a sign of holiness.
         3. St. Cyprian said “to express prayers with unprepared speeches” has always been regarded as absurd. He says, “not to throw abroad our prayers indiscriminately, with unprepared voices, nor to cast to God with tumultuous wordiness a petition that ought to be commended to God by modesty” (Treatise 4, on The Lord’s Prayer).
5. Concluding thoughts: the City of God vs the City of Babylon
   1. We will spend eternity with the one whose imaginations we follow: either God’s or rebel-man
      1. Zion is ordered by God, and man there abides by His wishes.
      2. In Babylon there is no order, and man can do as He wishes.
   2. May we be careful to continue in what God has imagined and staying true to the Apostles’ Doctrine, Government, Sacraments, and Prayers.

 

Music & Sound Attributions:

Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions “Lost Shoe” (www.sessions.blue). Sounds used are as follows: “Beer Can Opening” recorded by Mike Koening found at (http://soundbible.com/216-Beer-Can-Opening.html) and “Pouring Drink” recorded by Mike Koenig found at (http://soundbible.com/2115-Pouring-Drink.html).