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Question 3
In the “course of performance” illustration, the original parties’ lived practice resolves an ambiguity in the written contract; what “ambiguities” in New Testament practice (he mentions baptism and communion frequency) seem most debated today, and how would observing apostolic-era “lived practice” change the way you approach those debates?
Another way to ask: Which New Testament practices seem most unclear or argued about today (like baptism or how often to take communion)? If we could clearly see what the apostles’ churches actually did, how might that change your view?

Direct Answer Bercot points to debated New Testament practices like “how did they baptize” and “how often did they celebrate communion,” suggesting modern disputes persist partly because we treat the text as isolated from how it was originally lived. If we observe the apostolic-era “course of performance” through early Christian testimony, we would approach these questions less as guesses and more as recoverable practices.

Support from Transcript:

  • His contract example is ambiguous about “where the dining tables are to be furnished,” so the court looks to “course of performance”—how the original parties “lived it out.”
  • He applies this to the New Testament: “we can look at the course of performance of the apostolic faith.”
  • He gives specific examples: “How did they baptize? How often did they celebrate communion?”
  • He says the second-century Christians “didn’t merely have the written New Testament… They had observed the course of performance… firsthand.”
  • He connects this to today’s confusion: “mirrored interpretations of Scripture… contribute greatly to the lack of harmony today.”
Discussion Follow-ups If early Christian sources showed a consistent practice on baptism or communion, would you treat that as a strong interpretive clue or as optional history? What would change in how you debate these topics with other Christians?

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