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I would like examples of practices that are prohibited by Protestant churches (consider only Protestant churches that accept the Westminster Confession of Faith) but are not explicitly prohibited in the Bible. The examples I found are the following:
I am looking for these examples to identify inferences that are used when interpreting the Bible.
There are many examples of this. As someone stated in a comment, there are literally scores if not hundreds of denominations, just within Evangelical Protestantism. Plus many more if you include all the branches of mainline protestant churches. In many of these churches, the prohibition is in their doctrinal statement, and in others, it's not part of the statement of faith but strict church protocol or tradition which they say is based on principles.
Two examples I can think of that fit your description.
2.Another example is that many churches have a custom of prohibiting anyone from taking communion who has not been baptized. No clear scriptural support of this, but they make the case based on baptism being an act of obedience in the New Testament and Communion an extension of this. This is a common practice in Baptist and Evangelical churches in Poland, Denmark and even some in the US.
Another example is that some churches only allow people to take communion who are members. This was the practice of a reformed PCA church I attended. It was very offensive to guests who couldn't take part in the Lord's supper. There are most often presented as individual church policies, which usually are determined at the local level. This is the case in many Evangelical Free Church of America churches, which is a denomination, but every local congregation is entirely autonomous and self led. One of the biggest examples is the ban/ prohibition of musical instruments in the Church of Christ. Instruments are mentioned all through the scriptures, and there is no ban or prohibition anywhere against instruments. The reasoning is that there was no mention of NT churches using musical instruments - so it's an argument from silence.
You mentioned the example of self- baptism, but on the topic of baptism, many Protestant churches will prohibit a parent or friend from baptizing someone, or even the person who led him or her to Christ, and this is nowhere in scripture, but the reasoning is that this is the responsibility of an appointed elder or deacon, and that allowing a member to baptize is risky. This is common in Nazarene churches, some Pentecostal churches, some Baptist churches, and even some Evangelical churches. The church I currently attend is Baptist, and they only have staff pastors baptize. This was also the case in one Evangelical Free church, and also the case in a reformed church I attended.
Quite a few in my denomination
Eailer in the 20th century Television was apassive prohibition and the reasoning behind this was due to the unedifying media productions, also this was somewhat a valid argument then, The church tends to ignore it now due to the fact that what you see onnthe streets is far more unedifying than what the media shows.
Another is wearing of earings and jeweries and Makeup. Though there are verses in the bible that discourages the use of earings Jacob35:4, Ex32:2 there are also verses thats encourages them as being seen as symbol a blessing and beauty Ezek16:12, Prov25:12, Personally I see it as a form of modesty in line with what Paul said in 1Tim2:9.
Marital counselling, commitee and procedure is another practice my church does which isnt explicitely stated in the Bible. The Man is expected not to meet the Lady but instead firstly inform his Pastor of his spiritual conviction and Leading to the Lady, after which he is reffered to the Marraige committee which checks to see if the Lady is already engaged, If not the Man is then scheduled to meet with the Lady to discuss his intentions. The major reasons for this is to create order in the Church.
Wearing of head covering is another modest practise that makes the church look less like the world, although Paul mentions this for Women who have shaved thier Hair, It's not explicitely stated to wear an head covering but my Church practises it.
I would appreciate clarifications on some of my Points.
To address your points. Sucide - The Bible obviously speacks about murder Masturbation - This is obvious as it is a result of not being able to mortify your flesh. Also most times it comes with lustful thoughts towards an opposite sex.
Thanks and have a prosperous and more Peaceful Year ahead
Edit Denomination is a Pentecostal Church(Deeper Life Bible Church)
