2. Key passage on authority
Introduction
Two important concepts: Matt. 21:23-27
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”
Matthew 28:18
“And whatever you do in word and deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Colossians 3:17
Need for authority : “By what authority are You doing these things?”
Source of authority : “And who gave You this authority?”
Two sources of authority: Matt. 21:23-27
Divine authority : “From heaven”
Human authority : “from men”
Bible Authority

3. Hermeneutics Introduction
Hermeneutics is the science of interpreting communication: Eph. 5:17; Acts 8:30, 34-35; 17:2-3
Three principles of establishing Bible authority: Acts 15
Direct statement : explicitly stated: Acts 15:13-17; Lk. 13:3; Acts 17:30; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Heb. 10:25; Eph. 4:28
Approved example : Christians acting with obvious approval of Scripture: Acts 15:12; 20:7; 11:27-30
Necessary inference : the only logical conclusion to be drawn: Acts 15:7-9; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Acts 20:7; 10:9-16, 17, 34-35
Bible Authority

4. Our Need for Authority Introduction
We must not trifle with God’s authority, even if the results are ‘good,’ we disrespect God!
“And Moses said to Aaron, ‘This is what the Lord spoke, saying:
‘By those who come near Me
I must be regarded as holy;
And before all the people
I must be glorified.’
So Aaron held his peace.”
Leviticus 10:3
“Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.”
2 John 9
Bible Authority

5. Bible Authority: Lesson 7 Matthew 21:23-27
The Authority of Jesus Christ:
How to Establish Bible Authority: Part 2
Matthew 21:23-27

6. Colossians 3:17 1. Generic & specific authority Generic authority:
“applicable or referring to a whole class or group; general”
Includes all possible methods or ways of doing something the Bible tells us to do.
Specific authority:
“explicit, particular, or definite”
Restricts us to the specific method or way stated or prescribed by the Scriptures.
Bible Authority

7. Noah & the ark 1. Generic & specific authority Genesis 6:13-16
Generic authority:
Task: “Make yourself an ark” : v. 14
Tools: Command to build necessarily requires tools to build, but they were not specified; hence, Noah was authorized to use any tools he needed.
Specific authority:
Materials: “gopher wood…pitch” : v. 14
Dimensions: “length…three hundred cubits…width fifty cubits…height…thirty cubits” : v. 15
Layout: “window…door…lower, second, and third decks” : v. 16
Bible Authority

8. 1. Generic & specific authority
Preaching the gospel
Mark 16:15
Generic authority:
Mission: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel” : v. 15
Method: The Lord simply says “Go” but doesn’t specify how to “Go” : v. 15 (walk, bicycle, car, airplane, etc.)
Specific authority:
Task: “preach the gospel” : v. 15
What/why of going: The commission specifies why to go and what is to be preached; the “gospel” not reading, writing or arithmetic.
Bible Authority

9. RESTAURANT EXAMPLE Lord’s Supper
1. Generic & specific authority
Lord’s Supper
Matthew 26:26-28
Authority concerning the Lord’s Supper
RESTAURANT
EXAMPLE
When you order a specific meal, all other meals are automatically eliminated/excluded.
Are the terms “eat” and “drink” generic or specific?
Generic
Did the Lord specify what to “eat” and “drink” ?
Specific: “bread” and “fruit of the vine” : vv
Could we use Twinkies and Coca-Cola? Why/why not?
No! Because the Lord specified “bread” and “fruit of the vine” thereby eliminating/excluding all other kinds of food and drink.
Bible Authority

10. Music in worship 1. Generic & specific authority Ephesians 5:19
What are the two kinds of music?
Vocal and instrumental
Did the Lord specify the kind of music for us to use?
Yes! He specified “singing” : v. 19
Did the Lord say not to use instrumental music? No
Does that mean we can play instruments and sing? No
Bible Authority

11. KEY PRINCIPLE Music in worship 1. Generic & specific authority
When the Lord specifies something it automatically eliminates/excludes all other specifics (i.e., kinds) in that general category.
Ephesians 5:19
Why not?
When the Lord specifies something it automatically eliminates/excludes all others in the same category.
Specifying “gopher wood” eliminated all other woods.
Specifying “bread” and “fruit of the vine” eliminates all other kinds of food and drink.
Therefore, specifying “singing” eliminates all other kinds of music.
What kind of songs?
“psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” : v. 19
Bible Authority

12. 2. Expedients 1 Corinthians 6:12
An expedient is simply “a means to an end.”
A thing suitable to achieve a goal or objective.
Expedients are options God permits us to choose that aid us in obeying His will.
Expedients are only applicable when we already have divine authority.
God gave Noah generic authority to “Make thee an ark” : Gen. 6:14
Noah had no options on what God specified (materials, dimensions, layout).
But, obviously Noah needed the aid of tools; God did not specify which ones to use; thus, tools were permitted expedients.
Bible Authority

13. 2. Expedients 1 Corinthians 6:12 Expedients must:
Lawful : Expedients must come within the realm of things authorized: 1 Cor. 6:12; 10:23; 2 Jn. 9; 1 Cor. 4:6; Rom. 14:23
Not be specified : When God specifies something all other choices are eliminated/excluded: Gen. 6:14-15
Aids : God allows us to choose expedients to aid obeying His will (e.g., song books, communion cups, baptistry).
Edifying : Expedients are human choices God permits; but they cannot cause division among brethren: 1 Cor. 10:23-33; 14:26
Not wound a brother’s conscience : It’s not “my way or the highway”; except when God specifies: 1 Cor. 8; 10; Rom. 14
Not add or subtract from God’s Word : Can only use expedients to obey a direct command, approved example, or necessary inference; no additions/substitutions permitted: Prov. 14:12; Jer. 10:23; Matt. 4:4; 2 Jn. 9
Bible Authority

14. 1 Peter 4:11 3. Silence of the Scriptures
Two views on the silence of the Scriptures:
Liberal view : Silence grants liberty (Luther, denomina-tionalism).
Conservative view : Silence does not grant liberty (Zwingli, Restoration Movement): 1 Pet. 4:11
These two attitudes involved in every division of the church.
Late 19th/early 20th century: Missionary Society, instrumental music (Disciples of Christ, Christian Church).
Mid 20th century: institutionalism, social gospel, ‘food, fun, frolic.’
Liberal vs. conservative churches of Christ: division continues to this very day! Hos. 8:7
Bible Authority

15. 3. Silence of the Scriptures
1 Corinthians 2:9-11
3. Silence of the Scriptures
Silence of the Scriptures does not permit, it forbids!
We can only know God’s will if He reveals it: 1 Cor. 2:11
To violate God’s silence is presumptuous and leads to following human opinion; which always leads to strife and division: 1 Cor. 1:10; 1 Pet. 4:11
The two views contrasted:
Conservative : God said use “gopher wood,” so let’s use “gopher wood.” Silence forbids.
Liberal view : God didn’t say not to use “gopher wood” only; so we can use any wood we want (e.g., pine, oak, maple). Since there is no specific prohibition, silence permits.
Bible Authority

16. 1 Peter 4:11 3. Silence of the Scriptures
Silence is a Bible principle:
Levitical priesthood: Jesus could not serve as a priest under the Law of Moses: Heb. 7:11-14
By specifying the tribe of Levi, all other tribes automat-ically eliminated/excluded!
Examples of the silence of the Scriptures:
Instrumental music : Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16
Earthly church headquarters : Col. 1:18; Heb. 1:3
Twinkies & Coca-Cola at Lord’s Supper : Matt. 26:26-28
Missionary society : 1 Tim. 3:15
Pouring or sprinkling for baptism : Col. 2:12; Rom. 6:4
Extended oversight of elders : 1 Pet. 5:2; Acts 20:28
Bible Authority

17. 1 Peter 4:11 3. Silence of the Scriptures Only one exception:
When the Bible gives authority to do something, but is silent about methods, tools, etc.; we can use expedients.
The Bible is silent about:
Lord’s Supper : Plates & cups
Singing : Song books, pitch pipe
Assemble : Building, water fountain, rest rooms
Preach/teach : Chalk board, powerpoint, sound system
Even though the Bible is silent on these things; they are authorized as expedients because we have Bible authority established by direct command, approved example, or necessary inference.
Bible Authority

18. God’s Word is the source of all religious authority!
Conclusion
God’s Word is the source of all religious authority!
“whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…’”
Colossians 3:17
“Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.”
2 John 9
God’s Word grants two types of authority:
Generic authority : “Make thee an ark” : Gen. 6:14
Specific authority : “Make thee an ark of gopher wood” : Gen. 6:14
We must respect the silence of the Scriptures: Heb. 7:11-14
“We speak where the Bible speaks and are silent where the Bible is silent.” 1 Pet. 4:11
The liberal view of silence is false and deadly! Col. 3:17; 2 Jn. 9
Bible Authority