Understanding How the Bible Authorizes

Children Interpret Children practice the science of interpretation (hermeneutics) daily. –For instance, a mother might tell her child to, “Walk down the hall and put those scissors in the drawer.” –Because the mother specifically designated an action, walking, all other possible actions, like running, hopping, skipping, etc., were eliminated as acceptable choices. –Similarly, her directions to put the scissors in the drawer eliminated other options, like placing them on the counter or on top of the desk.

1 st Principle Specific directions, or commands, authorize only the action specified –Sacrifices were only to be offered by the sons of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi (Leviticus 1; Numbers 18:21-26). –Since Jesus was of the tribe of Judah (Matthew 1:2), the writer of Hebrews concluded he could not offer sacrifices under the law of Moses (Hebrews 7:14; 8:4).

Examples of the 1 st Principle Nadab and Abihu sinned by offering “profane fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them” (Leviticus 10:1). The Judaizing teachers taught brethren they had to be circumcised to be saved (Acts 15:1). –The apostles said they had given them no such commandment (Acts 15:24). –Notice: Their silence on the matter of circumcision being essential to one’s salvation made it inappropriate for others to teach such as necessary.

2 nd Principle General instructions, or commands, leave open all the possibilities. –When the doctor says one needs to get at least 30 minutes of exercise 3 days a week, his instructions could be carried out by walking, running, riding a bike, etc., because no single action was specified. –The days for exercise could be any 3 of the 7 days of the week, because the doctor did not dictate particular days

The Amount to Give As he had told the churches of Galatia, Paul commanded the Corinthian brethren to give on the first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). –The amount to be given was left to the individual based upon how God prospered him. –In the OT, people never gave less than 10%. –God provided something better for us (Hebrews 11:39-40), so we might want to set our giving level higher than one-tenth. –Yet, the exact amount, or percentage, is left to the individual giver because God has not given explicit instructions.

Assembling to Break Bread Our Lord clearly instructed the church to eat bread and drink the cup in remembrance of his broken body and shed blood (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Early disciples assembled to break bread on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). However, the time and place for assembling and partaking are left to the choosing of the churches.

Applying Language Principles “In ordinary language, then, silence prohibits using unspecified options when particular options in a category are specified. Silence allows, however, when no options in a category are specified. Since God has revealed his will in the ordinary language of the people, and since the Scriptures give us samples of both of these uses of silence, He expects us to exercise these same uses of silence in understanding his message” (Stafford North, “Making the ‘sound of silence’ in Scripture audible by applying language principles,” Christian Chronicle, November, 2002).

The Great Commission The great commission requires using both principles (Matthew 28:18-20) –“Go” does not specify any single means of going. –Those made disciples were to be baptized in the name, or authority, of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, which made baptizing in the name of any man, institution or church unacceptable. –Teaching the baptized to do all the Lord commanded excludes teachings of councils, creeds or manuals. –However, various teaching methods (books, charts, visual aids, etc.) and settings (one on one, radio, television, etc.) would be allowed.

Provoking the Brethren Hebrews 10:24-25 uses both types of silence. –Christians should assemble with the goal of stirring up the brethren to love and good works, which would eliminate stirring up anger, strife and jealousy. –While each is required to assemble, the place is not specified, leaving the church to choose (under a tree, in a house, rented hall, basement, upper room, etc.). –No specific hour of assembly is stated, so the church may choose a time most suitable to its members.

Speaking to One Another Ephesians 5:19 also has 2 uses of silence. –Each must sing in order to “speak to one another.” –“Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” would prohibit worldly or unscriptural songs. –By using “speak” and “sing,” the apostle eliminated humming or whistling. –Paul specified the heart, which all have and can pluck, as the instrument to be plucked, thus barring other instruments. –The number of songs, tempo, posture, singing in unison or 4 part harmony are all left to individual churches to choose.