Category: Authority

Consider the following scenario. A parent gives a child a ten dollar bill, and tells him to go into the store and buy a gallon of milk, and a loaf of bread. The child returns to the car with the milk, the bread, some change, and a candy bar. The parent tells the child, “I didn’t say you could get a candy bar!”, and the child replies, “You didn’t say I couldn’t!”

The child’s statement is true, but he quickly learns that the parent’s silence on the matter did not constitute permission to go ahead and buy the candy bar. From this example, we understand the principle that silence is not permissive.

The same is true with the word of God. Continue reading “The Silence of Scripture” →

In our last article we indicated that at certain times God’s commands are general in their nature. Such generic authority allows room to exercise discretion.

For example, in Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus gave his disciples instructions, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” The command to “Go”, given by Jesus, is generic in nature. Jesus did not specify the means of going, so the disciples had discretion in fulfilling the command. These areas of discretion can be categorized as expediencies. Continue reading “Expediency” →

A study of authority reveals that it can be categorized in two ways, Generic authority, and Specific authority.
By Generic we mean “general, opposite to specific” (Webster’s). So, Generic authority is inclusive. It includes all the methods or ways in which the thing authorized may be accomplished.

In contrast, by Specific we mean “precisely formulated or restricted; specifying or explicit” (Websters). So, Specific authority is exclusive. It only includes that which is expressly stated or specified.

On the surface, this may seem to be rather confusing. In reality it is a matter of simple common sense, and can readily be determined. Continue reading “Generic and Specific Authority” →

We have asserted that Bible Authority can be established from the written scriptures in three ways: Expressed Statement, Approved Example, and Necessary Inference. In this article we deal with the third means, Necessary Inference.

The concept is ridiculed by many as being a legalistic, and humanly devised means of establishing authority. We will show from scripture that this is not so. However, to begin, let’s note that we often learn things by inference. Continue reading “Necessary Inference” →

In our previous article, entitled Expressed Command, I wrote:

To properly understand how authority is established in religion, it is necessary to understand the nature of communication. God created man with the ability to communicate his will or desire to others. He chose to reveal Himself to man by the same methods. The divine hermeneutic (way of interpreting the Bible) is in accord with the logical rules of communication using written or spoken language.

One of these “logical rules of communication” can be identified as an approved example. The premise is simple. If in the New Testament we find Christians participating in an activity, and the example we find is spoken of as approved of God, we can rightly surmise that this practice is divinely authorized. Continue reading “Approved Example” →

To properly understand how authority is established in religion, it is necessary to understand the nature of communication. God created man with the ability to communicate his will or desire to others. He chose to reveal Himself to man by the same methods. The divine hermeneutic (way of interpreting the Bible) is in accord with the logical rules of communication using written or spoken language. Continue reading “Expressed Command” →

Jesus Christ is our source for authority today. Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18).

However, none living today has ever seen Jesus. Also, despite claims to the contrary, Jesus does not speak to us directly today. So, how is it we are to know the will of Jesus? He is the authority, so how are we to know what he authorizes?

The New Covenant

First, note that the New Testament is the will of Jesus. Continue reading “The New Testament: Christ’s Authority Revealed” →

In Matthew 21:25, Jesus asked the elders of the Jews the question, “The baptism of John; where was it from? From heaven or from men?” The question put the elders in a difficult position. If they said it was from “heaven” (divinely authorized), then Jesus could admonish them for disobedience. “Why then did you not believe him?” (vs. 25). If they said it was from men to excuse their disobedience, they would run afoul of the people who counted John a prophet.

In this simple exchange a fundamental truth regarding the nature of authority is revealed. Continue reading “Christ, the Source of Divine Authority” →

It is needful to note that several modern concepts of the origin of authority are incorrect.

The Source of Divine Authority Is Not…

The Doctrine or Practices of the Old Testament

There are a number of common religious practices today which were characteristic of Old Testament worship. Some denominations advocate the use of an instrument of music in worship because of the Old Testament practice. Others speak of tithing as required of God, or the practice of sabbath observation. Some Mormons actually appeal to the Old Testament as giving authority for the practice of polygamy. Continue reading “False Sources for Divine Authority” →

It is almost universally recognized that men can co-exist peaceably only with a recognition of authority. True anarchists (those who rebel against any established authority or power) are few and far between, because anarchy leads to confusion and chaos. Even one who occasionally breaks the rules understands that the rules are necessary. Continue reading “The Need for Bible Authority” →

We have preached and written at length about the contention some in the Lord’s church are making that the “days” of Genesis 1 are not to be taken as literal 24 hour periods of time. Those who make such a contention say that God’s other means of revealing himself to man, the “testimony of nature” indicates that the universe is billions of years old, and came into existence with a “Big Bang.” I never thought I would hear it, but some are saying that the “Big Bang” theory is the Christian’s friend.

Continue reading “Natural “Revelation”” →