1. A Study Of Bible Authority
A Study of Authority
Lesson 5 (Part 2)
Authority – Generic and Specific
Note: The Presentations in the study are taken from Billy W. Moore’s classbook entitled, A Study of Authority
(Presentations are basically an adaptation of material found in Billy W. Moore’s classbook, A Study of Authority)
Lesson Authority - Generic and Specific

2. Matthew 21:23
"And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?"
Shows the importance of the proper source of authority!

3. A Quick Summary of Past Lessons
We have established what authority is, and the need for it in religion
The Old Testament, the preacher, creeds of men, desires of a congregation, elders, or “end justifies the means” are not the source of authority
Christ is the source of authority as king, and head over the church
The will of Christ is set forth in the New Testament

4. The doctrine of Christ was taught by the apostles and practiced by the disciples.
All the commands of Christ were not specifically written, for some must be learned through observing what the apostles taught. (cf. John 16:12; Acts 20:35; cf. 2 Corinthians 5:20)
a. CHRIST COMMANDED (Matthew 28:18-20)
b. APOSTLES TAUGHT (Matthew 18:18) They did not teach their own doctrine but Christ’s. (Galatians 1:12; cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:13)
c. DISCIPLES OBSERVED (Philippians 4:9) Heaven’s will is exemplified in the inspired history of the NT church.

5. How to Establish Authority
Three ways by which Authority may be established:
Direct Statement or Command (Precept) Hebrews 11:6; Acts 2:38
Approved Example Philippians 3:17; 4:9; 1 Corinthians 4:16,17; 1 Corinthians 11:1, 23; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-9
Necessary Inference (A conclusion that is forced) Matthew 3:16; Acts 8:35-36; Matthew 22:23

6. How To Determine What Is
Authorized
Observance
1 Cor. 11:23-24
Time of Observe.
Acts 20:7
Frequency
Acts 20:7;
cf. Exodus 20:8
Illustrated
Lord’s Supper
verses 13-21
verse 7
verse 12
Acts 15
Circumcision
Command/
Direct
Statement
Approved
Example
Necessary
Inference

7. Some things may be authorized, though not specifically stated!

8. There are Two Kinds of Authority
Generic Authority – The act is commanded, but the method or means of obeying the command is not expressly specified.
Webster’s – “general, opposite to specific”
Generic includes all the methods or ways for doing the thing authorized
Generic authority INCLUDES authority for choices or AIDS (expediencies) which are for the sole purpose of executing the command.
NOTE: These must fall within the class, kind, or order of the precept, example, or necessary inference of the command itself.

9. There are Two Kinds of Authority
Specific Authority – The kind of authority wherein an act is commanded and the method or means of obeying the command is expressly specified.
Webster’s – “precisely formulated or restricted; specifying or explicit.”
Thus, specific authority RESTRICTS one to that which is precisely formulated.
Specific authority EXCLUDES human choice because any method or means of carrying out the command, other than what is specified, becomes an ADDITION.

10. Know The Difference
Aids OR Additions

11. Illustrating the Concept
Genesis 6:14-16
Kind of wood specified
Gopher wood (all others excluded)
Dimensions of Ark specified
300 X 50 X 30 cubits
No authority to build another size
Any other details (specifics) pitch, decks (3), window in ark, etc. all exclude aspects not in keeping with the specific!
Included “build an ark” – Tools, etc. aids to building the ark.

12. Illustrating the Concept
Exodus 12:1-6
Animal is a generic term
What animal is specified here?
Does specifying this animal exclude other types of animals?
What are some other specific details which limit in this case?
Without blemish
Male
Sheep or Goat
Note that this restricts!

13. Illustrating the Concept
Matthew 28:18-20
First command is to “Go”
Is this generic or specific?
What ways of going are authorized?
If it is not specifically mentioned can it still be authorized?
Second command is to “Teach”
How many methods of teaching are authorized?
What can we teach? (cf. Mark 16:16) (Specified!)

14. Illustrating the Concept
Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16
Music – Generic; Singing – Specific
If the Lord specifies one kind, does it exclude other kinds? (remember, gopher wood, lamb, etc.)
What kinds of songs are authorized?
Specifically – Psalms, hymns, spiritual songs
Does God specify tempo? Harmony vs. unison?
Does the specific exclude some “good” songs?

15. Illustrating the Concept
Christ commanded observance of a memorial supper. 1 Corinthians 11:23-27
“The first day of the week” is specified thus excluding every other day. However, the specific hour is not stated, thus any hour within the first day is permissible.
“Unleavened bread” and “the fruit of the vine” were the elements used thus excluding all other elements. However, the number of containers is not specified, only that they “drink the cup” (contents), 1 Corinthians 11: Individual communion cups are an aid within the general command to “drink the cup.”

16. Illustrating the Concept
To assemble is commanded. Hebrews 10:25. A building is authorized as an aid to obey the command to “assemble” for worship (Hebrews 10:25) and to “break bread” (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:17ff). It serves as an aid for a local church to teach the gospel and edify its members (1 Timothy 3:15).
However, the church is not responsible for recreation and social activities.
These change the kind of endeavor for which the church is designed (1 Peter 2:5), and, therefore, become additions rather than aids, because they obligate the church in activities that are the responsibility of the home ( 1 Corinthians 11:22, 34).

17. What We Should Learn from this Lesson
Generic authority authorizes everything in that general realm – all of the specifics in that realm. Thus, a thing does not have to be mentioned in the scripture to be authorized.
Specific authority authorizes that which is specified and excludes all other specifics in the general realm. Thus, a thing does not have to be specifically forbidden to by unauthorized.
Note: Learn these lessons well for they are the cause of much confusion in religion!

18. Lesson 5-B Generic and Specific Authority
Questions ?
Lesson 5-B
Generic and Specific Authority

19. Question 1
Define Generic Authority. Specific Authority.
Generic – Opposite of specific. Includes all the methods or ways of doing the thing authorized.
Specific – Precisely formulated or restricted; specifying or explicit. (Thus, restricting one to that which is precisely formulated).

20. Question 2
Give some ways we can follow the command of Matthew 28:18-20 to teach the gospel of Christ. What methods may we use?
Bible classes at the building
Home Bible studies
Television or radio programs
Pulpit preaching
Gospel Meetings
Internet and studies and materials
Etc.

21. Question 3
After reading Exodus 12:1-6, can we conclude that the Israelites were free to use any animal as a Passover sacrifice? Defend your answer.
No. In the instructions they were told to take a first year lamb, male, without blemish, from the sheep or goats of their flock. Since God specified the type of animal, no other type would be acceptable to Him.

22. Question 4
Was Noah free to use any type of building material in constructing the ark? Was he limited in regard to the dimensions? (cf. Genesis 6:14-16).
God specified the material: Gopher wood.
God specified the dimensions: 300 X 50 X 30 cubits.
Since God specified, Noah was not free to choose for himself.

23. Question 5
Does the Bible specifically exclude instrumental music in worship to God? Are we free to use an instrument? If not, why not?
While God did not specifically exclude instrumental music, He did specify the type of music He wanted in worship … Singing (cf. Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Since God specified the kind of music He desires, we are not free to substitute any other kind.