Three levels of standards:
1) Bible standards--- ones that are explicit such as do not commit adultery,and do not steal. these are directly commanded in scripture and are not subject to change.
2) Church standards---- those established by the pastor to cover principles taught in scripture. The Bible clearly gives spiritual leadership the authority to establish reasonable
guidelines for the protection of the Christian (
Hebrews 13:17 ). These cover areas where the Bible gives a certain principle,but it must be interpreted for our day. Such is the standard that deals with abstaining from smoking because the scripture gives the principle of not defiling your body because it is the temple of God (
I Corinthians 3:16-17).
This seems to be clear and reasonable.
Some Biblical precepts however,create controversy because they are so general in nature and are open to many different interpretations. Such is the case for the principle of be ye separate and touch not the unclean thing (
II Corinthians 6:17). One man may define being separate in vastly more narrow and parochial terms than another. For this reason each pastor should have the right to establish church standards for his own church. He knows the geographical and cultural factors better than some universal governing body.
3) Personal standards---- standards that are in the realm of the personal convictions of the individual Christian. This covers areas where the church has no ruling and the bible
is unclear or silent.
And brother Epley I do believe the church does have a right to establish standards of conduct when necessary but should refuse to make rules for every aspect of daily living and should leave areas not supported explicitly by scripture to the person when possible.
Even some church adornment standards may be necessary to avoid extremism. But other personal adornment standards may have value only as personal convictions and for
Christian maturity but should not be preached as essential to salvation.
In the final analysis, each christian is responsible to God to work out his/her own salvation with fear and to maintain holiness in his/her life.
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