Scriptural Authority Part Two: Commands, Aids and Additions (Generic or Specific)

In Our Last Study… We had studied that: – THE BIBLE IS THE ONLY AUTHORITY. – GOD’S AUTHORITY HAS BEEN DELEGATED. (See Next Chart) – WE ESTABLISH GOD’S AUTHORITY TODAY BY: DIRECT COMMAND APPROVED APOSTOLIC EXAMPLE BY IMPLICATION BY THE SILENCE OF GOD

How Authority Was Delegated God God has all authority - Rev. 19:6; Rom. 3:4 Willed all things according to His good pleasure - Eph. 1:9 Christ All authority delegated to Christ - Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:20-23; Col. 3:17 Today God speaks through His Son - Hebrews. 1:1-2 Holy Spirit The promise of the Father - Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5 Sent in the name of Jesus - John 14:26; 16:13 Would guide into all truth - John 14:26; 15:26; 16:12-14 Confirmed their word with signs - Heb. 2:4; 2 Corinthians. 12:12 Apostles & Prophets Jesus delegated His authority to the apostles - John 20:21-23; 13:20; 17:6-8 Laying on of apostles hands - Acts 8:14-19;19:6; 2 Tim. 1:6 They gave us the N.T. - John 20:30-31; 1 Corinthians. 14:37 Writings This final and complete revelation must not be altered or perverted - Jude 3; Gal. 1:6-9; 2 John 9-11; Rev. 22:18-19 To Us When we read, we can understand - Eph. 3:3-5 Properly implanted, it can save - James 1:21; 2 Tim. 3:15 The Word effectually works in believers - 1 Thessalonians. 2:13

THE GENERIC AND SPECIFIC NATURE OF COMMANDS. General (generic) authority is inclusive. – It includes any aid or method of execution that falls within the scope of the command. – In other words, the things necessary in carrying out the command are authorized. It is left up to our own judgment as to which is the most expedient. The Bible also teaches by specific authority. – Specific authority is exclusive – Excluding every aid or method in the scope of that which is specified.

An Example Found In Genesis 6 Make thee an ark of gopher wood ; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. 15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. 16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it. – The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) Generic Authority Specific Authority

Generic & Specific Commands Contrasted The Generic Command “Make Thee an Ark..: – This part of the command is generic. It was left up to him (Noah) to choose the tools, means of transporting wood, etc. in building the ark. – Genesis 6:14 This part of the command is specific “ of gopher wood.” – Since God specified the kind of wood, it excluded the use of all other kinds of wood. – Also, since GOD SPECIFIED the measurements, door and window it excluded Noah’s choice to build as he sought fit. – Genesis 6:14-16

UNDERSTANDING AIDS and ADDITIONS Choice is Divinely Authorized when something is necessary to execute the Divine order – When that something is not specified. – Whatever is used must be a matter of choice and is, therefore a matter of expediency. – In order for one to expedite or carry out the Divine Law, if the method, manner or arrangement has not been specified, man then has a choice to employ one or more of the methods or arrangements within the scope of the general authority AN ADDITION is that which adds to the command, thus changing the nature of the action. Example: “Sing” – To this we add mechanical instruments. WE NOW SING and PLAY. – The nature of the command is changed by the addition.

COMMANDS AIDS ADDITIONS Baptize in water Acts 10:47-48; Matt. 28:19 Go to a pond, lake, river; build a baptistery Sprinkling, pouring; baptize in snow. Infant Baptism. Church to relieve its own needy 1 Tim. 5:16 Pay doctor bills, buy food, provide care Church supported benevolent organization Church to assemble Heb. 10: 25; 1 Cor. 11:20,33 Borrow, rent, buy meeting place Build kitchens, fellowship hall, cathedrals etc. Church to edify itself Eph. 4:16 Bible classes, study guides, library, purchase workbooks Superintendent of Bible school, church supported schools or colleges AIDS or ADDITIONS?

COMMANDSAIDSADDITIONS Sing Heb. 2:12; 1 Cor. 14:14-16 Write them, memorize, have song books Instrumental music, clap hands, have a choir, solo singing Church to teach 1 Tim. 3:15; 1 Thess. 1:8 Radio program, TV shows, bulletin, personal work program Broadcasting business, own printing company Church to support preachers Phil. 4:14-16; 2 Cor. 11:8-9 Provide money, food, a house, transportation etc. Church supported missionary society, send to another church AIDS or ADDITIONS?

THUS TODAY…. We Studied: Generic & Specific Commands What are AIDS and ADDITIONS. So One Last Look At Them All Combined

CommandsAidsSpecifiedAdditions Noah was told to build an Ark. Tools necessary to prepare the wood for building. "Gopher Wood" Genesis 6:14 Oak, Spruce, Gum, Pine (Another Kind of wood) Lord's Supper Hour of the Day Containers Place - Building Lights, Pews, Heat "First Day” Acts 20:7 "Unleavened Bread“ and "Fruit of the Vine" Luke 22:1,18 "Do this In Remembrance" Luke 22:1,18 Mon,Thurs, (Another day of the week) Cookies Coke (Other kinds of Emblems) Making a feast I Cor. 22:20-34 (Another Purpose)

CommandsAidsSpecifiedAdditions Baptism Baptistery, Pool, River Immersion; "Buried" Romans 6:4; Col. 2:12 Sprinkling, Pouring (Another Kind of Action) Make Melody Song Books, Lights "Sing" Eph. 5:19 ; Col. 3:16 Playing An Instrument (Another Kind of Music) Elders Local Business Meeting "Feed The Flock Among You" - I Peter 5:2-3 "In Every church" Acts 14:23 Councils, Conventions, Sponsoring Churches (Another Kind of Organizational Arrangement)