Topic(s): Bible Authority

Todd Clippard

There is no record of the early church conducting Bible classes or Sunday School as we know it. However, this is not to say there is no authority for such a teaching arrangement.

The authority for Sunday School is found in the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20. The disciples were commanded to go and teach, baptize, and teach some more. Sunday School is a means of teaching both non-Christians and Christians. It is not the only way, but it is one way. It violates no other passage or principle of scripture, and therefore is a Divinely-approved means of teaching.

There is a precedent in principle concerning Bible classes. The construction of synagogues throughout the Jewish land and even the lands of dispersion and exile shows God's people were concerned with providing instruction in God's word. The first place of Jewish worship was the tabernacle, followed by the temple. Synagogues were constructed not as places of worship but as places for public teaching (Matthew 4:23, Mark 1:21, 6:2; John 6:59, 18:20; Acts 9:2; 13:5; 13:14; 17:1; 18:4).

The paid ministry is authorized in 1 Corinthians 9:6-14.
1. Paul declared it was perfectly legitimate for him not to be required to work while he preached - v 6;
2. Paul said no soldier goes to war at his own expense - v 7a (cf 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 2:3);
3. Paul said those who plant a vineyard or raise sheep should partake of the fruit/milk thereof - v 7b;
4. Paul made reference to the Mosaic Law as teaching the same - vv 8-9;
5. Paul said one who was a giver of spiritual things (preaching) was due to receive carnal things (wages) from his hearers - v 11;
6. Paul said the ministers of the temple, (who had no land promise), lived, or were fed by the things brought to the altar - v 13;
7. Paul directly linked this example to a preacher living (receiving wages) from his work as a preacher - v 14.