Establishing Authority [1]

In the past, I could expect that when most gospel preachers preached lessons on authority, I would hear something about general versus specific authority, and the ways of establishing authority through direct commands or statements, divinely-approved examples, and necessary inference. I would hear these men provide examples of each of these so the listener could see that this was not merely a matter of the wisdom of men determining what he should follow and what he could avoid. It was clearly shown that these were ways the Lord Himself taught others, and expected that the audience would easily comprehend what was expected of them. I remember modern-day examples being used to illustrate the fact that some men do things within the church that do not have authority and are, therefore, sin. [Back then, these preachers were not so shy they would not call doing things without the authority of Jesus

what it really was: sin!]

Where have those preachers gone?

 

I don't know what happened to those men I used to hear, but now I also wonder why the generation of preachers we now have are not preaching these same lessons. I wonder why I rarely hear - or even hear of - preachers in other places speak on this. I could speculate for days about why this is so rarely heard, but let us instead make a more productive effort by addressing what is too often ignored: the matter of how to establish authority.

 

Generic Versus Specific Authority. When we search for God's will, we will find that there are two categories under which all commands will fall: either by general or specific authority. These are rules for logical thinking and reasoning that apply to any and all situations, not just the word of God.

 

General authority may be demonstrated through commands that are given without specifically directing how it is to be carried out. For example:

 

(1) We are admonished to not forsake the assembly of ourselves together (Heb. 10:25), but we are not specifically told where or at what time to meet. We find in Acts 1:13, 20:8, 16:13, and 1 Cor. 16:19 that disciples met in an upper room, by the side of a river, and in the homes of the disciples. What this means is, we should obey the command to not forsake the assembly, but not bind upon anyone else

any specific place where one must meet.

 

(2) The command of Jesus to "Go" and preach the gospel. (Matt. 28:19) Here, Jesus commanded the disciples to go, but did not say how to go. We find in Acts 8:26-30, 20:13, and 23:23-24 that some went and taught while riding in a chariot, by sailing on a ship, and even with a guard of 70 horsemen, 200 spearmen, and 200 soldiers. What this means is, we should obey the command to "go," but we cannot bind any means of going upon anyone else.

 

(3) Praying. The apostle Paul said we are to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17), but he did not specify the position or location one must be in as he prays. We find in Mark 14:35, Acts 9:40 & 10:9, and 1 Tim. 2:8 that people prayed falling on the ground, kneeling, up on a rooftop, and while 'lifting up holy hands.' What this means is, we should obey the command to pray continually, but cannot bind any particular position or location how and where one must pray.

 

Let us not forget that general commands may give liberties, but we should be careful to not go beyond he liberties allowed. At the same time, we should not bind any single means or reason if God has not done so.

 

Specific authority may be demonstrated through commands that tell what and how or why it is to be done. For example:

 

(1) Singing. Paul told the Christians of the first century that they should be "singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Eph. 5:19), and "teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Col. 3:16) In both cases, Paul specified both what they were to do [sing], and how they were to do it ["in your hearts to the Lord"]. Because he was specific, that is what we must do and that is the way we must do it. We cannot add instruments of music, choirs, featured solos, or any other manner of musical worship because Paul was specific about what and how it was to be done. It is common to hear people defend instrumental music, choirs, or solos by the simple statement, "It is beautiful, so God must surely approve!" The fact of its "beauty" is a purely subjective statement and exposes the matter as one of personal preference, rather than on a basis of authority. If we do this just for our own entertainment [or the entertainment of others], it is for the wrong purpose and violates the principle of authority at its root.

 

(2) Giving. Paul also gave instruction as to how we are to give. Paul says a man should "give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity" (2 Cor. 9:7). He also commanded the church that they should "On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper" (1 Cor. 16:1, 2). In these two passages, we find command of what to do [give] and how it is to be done [as we purpose in our hearts; not grudgingly nor of necessity; upon the first day of the week]. Because he was specific, that is what we must do and that is the way we must do it. We cannot give through bake sales, spaghetti suppers, car washes, or any other type of fund-raising because God has specifically directed how we are to give and even the day on which it must be done.

 

(3) The Lord's Supper. When Paul wrote to correct the Corinthians regarding the Lord's Supper, he reminded them of the purpose of the communion (1 Cor. 11:23-26). Because Paul was specific insaying what they were to do [partake] and why they were to do it [remembering Christ's death], that is what we must do, and that is why we must do it. We cannot partake as a special celebration of His birth, as a banquet to feed the hungry, not in any other way or for any other purpose because God specified what was to be done and why. Let us not forget that specific commands limit us as to what we may do, and exclude all other ways and reasons. [Ex., Noah and the ark; Nadab and Abihu; Uzzah and the ark of the covenant.]

 

Keep in mind that if it is a general command, we cannot bind a specific, and if it is a specific command, we cannot do or include that which has not been specified. [Said another way: We cannot bind where God has not bound, and cannot loosen where God has not loosened.] Confusion occasionally comes about because one person wants to go to one of two extremes, saying either one of the following:

 

"For something to be wrong, it must be specifically condemned."

 

"In order to be scriptural, it must be specifically authorized."

 

Both are wrong! God does not specifically condemn many things, but may prohibit certain things when we understand how to properly apply Bible authority. In the same sense, God authorizes certain things though He may not have specified each particular item or means of accomplishing it [as in the general examples seen above]. This may be where more problems arise in Bible studies than any other single cause. Many people have never been taught how to establish Bible authority, so they do not have the basis for sound reasoning and logical conclusions. When differences arise, don't throw away logic!

 

Most - if not all - differences among the religious groups in this country who claim to be following Christ rest on this matter of establishing authority. All erroneous practices and teaching come from a lack of respect for authority. Let us be reminded of who alone has authority (Matt. 28:18).

. - Steven Harper