Our Study Up To This Point Authority defined: right and power of rule. How one achieves authority: Inherent Inherited Presumed or Assumed Self Made Granted or delegated Usurped or stolen

Our Study Up To This Point Authority defined: right and power of rule. How one achieves authority: God’s inherent and absolute authority God created us free moral agents and gave us a choice. What happens if authority breaks down?

Our Study Up To This Point Two possible sources for religious authority Man’s rational and wisdom Subjective and divisive Divine wisdom Truth and unity Silence reveals nothing Direct Statements or Commands Necessary Implications Approved Apostolic Examples Binding or Choice

Methods for establishing authority Direct statements or commands have priority Authority begins with a direct statement or command No interpretation of an example or implication should be made that contradicts a direct statement or command

Methods for establishing authority Approved Apostolic examples Description of conduct or activity which God approves Binding examples come from specific authority Necessary implications Cannot exist without one of the first two

Specific or Generic Authority Specific Defined: “Explicitly set forth; definite.” Explicit Defined: “Fully and clearly expressed” Generic Defined: “inclusive or general” General Defined: “lacking in details; not specific”

Points about specific authority Explicitly states what is required Sets boundaries for acceptable action Removes or limits options Usually provides basis for generic authority Often associated with penalties

Points about generic authority Must come from specific authority Allowed options within specific authority Never contradicts what is specifically or explicitly stated (cancels or changes) Never gives the right to add to or take away from what is specifically stated

Points about authority God may state the “who”, “what”, “how”, “where”, and “when” of an action. God may disclose any combination of the five while leaving other parts to our discretion. Authorized acts begin with permission

A common principle in everyday life God’s laws regarding a wife’s duty Speed Limits Speed limit – 70 Minimum – 45 Exact speed – 60 Secondary laws Silence Silence reveals nothing – unknown and free to act Authority makes known, gives permission and restricts action God’s laws regarding a wife’s duty

The First Law Permission Restriction Explicit and binding Genesis 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." Permission Restriction Explicit and binding

The First Law Do you see any generic authority? Genesis 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." Do you see any generic authority? Do you see any thing else prohibited?

The ark – The specifics Genesis 6:14-16 Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. And this is how you shall make it: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. You shall make a window for the ark, and you shall finish it to a cubit from above; and set the door of the ark in its side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks.

The Ark – The Generics Size of tree Where the window was set Door set anywhere along the side Dimensions of rooms Number of rooms The height of each floor or level

The Ark – What is not authorized Use a different type of wood One big room or open space Building two arks – one for his family and one for the animals Door in back of the ark A little bigger or smaller

The Ark – Expediencies, tools, aids Time off for rest Time to do other things (Preached) Tools for construction (no electric tools) Recipe for pitch Lean-to for rest at the sight

The Ark – If it was commanded today The specifics remain the same for us What was not authorized for Noah remains the same for us Expediencies, tools, and aids may change based on the same authority Noah had

The Ark – Expediencies, tools, aids Time off for rest Time to do other things (Preached) Tools for construction (electric tools) Recipe for pitch Lean-to for rest at the sight