Sunday, July 28, 2013,
am
AUTHORITY
Types of Authority
Today we want to talk about the 2 different types of
authority. In any statement of authority there are usually specific
instructions that are expected and depending upon what is said areas
where you have discursion in carrying out the instructions.
For example: If we
are having some brethren over to our home to eat ice cream and I run out
of ice, I might say to my son, “Here is $5.
Please go to the store and get some ice?”
IN that statement, I have given instructions about what I need
him to do – get some ICE!
That means I have not given him permission to get candy and chips, etc.
At the same time, my instructions have left him with some options
– which store to go to, what size bag of ice, and what brand to get.
In this illustration we have seen 2 different types of authority
– specific and general. As
in life, these 2 types of authority are also applicable in our serving
God.
I.
Generic authority
a.
Basically means that we
have instructions that are not restrained or limited to a precise
application. It deals with
commands where we have liberty (options) as we carry it out.
b.
Bible examples:
i.
When Noah was told to
build the Ark, he was not told what tools to use, so he was free to use
whatever tools he had at his disposal. (Gen. 6:14)
ii.
In Mark 16:15 Jesus
commissioned His apostles saying, “Go into all the world and
preach the gospel.” The
expression “go” is a generic command when it comes to HOW we are to go.
What mode of transportation they were to use was up to them – they could
walk, ride a horse, sail on a boat.
BECAUSE the command is general, even though airplanes, trains and
automobiles were not available back then we can utilize them and still
fulfill the command to “go”.
c.
Making Application
i.
“Go”
– Mark 16:15, Matt. 28:19-20 – while the instructions were given to the
apostles, a study of scripture indicates that the command applies to us
as well. We are to go and
preach the gospel. Like the
apostles, our mode of transportation is not restricted – in addition to
going by boat, walking or horseback, we can go by car, train, airplane,
etc. EVEN though these were
not specifically mentioned (nor even available) they are still
authorized because of the general command to “go”.
ii.
“Preach”
- Similarly the command to “preach” or “teach” (Mark 16:16, Matt.
28:19-20) is generic so far as the method is not specified.
One could teach publicly or from house to house (Ac. 20:20), in a
classroom type setting, the whole assembly, or a family in a house.
iii.
Singing –
Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, etc.
– we find the command to sing, yet the type of singing we can use
is not specified. WE can use
4 part harmony (as we do), unison, slow, fast, etc.
iv.
Assembling
– where is not specified – Heb. 10:25 – Home, tent, rental, meeting
house, etc. Since God did
not specify the choice, we have freedoms
v.
Modest clothing – 1 Tim. 2:9, apparel. There
are many types of clothing that are modest.
As long as one understands what modesty is, they are free to
choose their clothing - One can wear a dress, blouse, pants, robe, etc.
d.
Observations about
generic authority
i.
General authority is
never exclusive. It is based
upon a specific command and has to do with how a command is executed.
In all the above examples there was a command.
Generic authority only applies to carrying out certain aspects of
the command – those that are not specified.
We MUST sing – generic authority deals with the how.
We MUST assemble – generic authority deals with where.
ii.
Expedients and generic authority. The word
expedient means an aid or
method used to expedite or facilitate the execution of a command.
When we are given specific instructions we have to follow them
exactly. BUT where we are
given generic instructions we have authority to facilitate the execution
of the command. For example:
1.
Noah needed TOOLS to
build the ark. They were
expedient to carrying out the command.
2.
We are commanded to
sing. We have generic
authority as to the type of singing we engage in.
BUT we also have authority for a song leader, song books or a
projection system, a pitch pipe, etc. These
can help us carry out the command to sing.
Especially when you consider other instructions concerning our
assemblies such as 1 Cor. 14:40, “Let
all things be done decently and in order.”
And that is in a text dealing with proper worship, including
singing (1 Cor. 14:15).
3.
The authority to
assemble authorizes a place and all the amenities that come with it – a
water fountain, pews, a/c, etc.
4.
The command to teach
authorizes classrooms, chalkboards, PowerPoint projectors, etc.
iii.
While more could be said
about expediencies (such as they must respect what IS commanded, they
must edify (1 Cor. 10:23-33), and be good stewardship), it is my hope
that we can see that such is authorized.
II.
Specific authority
a.
Is reference to a
command where some aspect is specified, and therefore exclusive.
Because it is specified, all other options are excluded.
b.
Bible Examples:
i.
When Noah was told to
use Gopher wood (Gen. 6:14) that excluded using any other type of wood
(pine, oak, etc.). He was
given the sizes of the ark, it was to have 1 window and 1 door – because
these things were specified, to either add to or take away from the
instructions would be a violation of God’s commands.
ii.
Moses at Kadesh (Num.
20:1-13). Israel was again
ungrateful and rebellious because they wanted water.
The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron commanding them to speak to the
rock and water would come forth.
Moses and Aaron then gathered the assembly together and he SPOKE
saying, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this
rock?” He then struck the
rock twice and water poured forth.
Moses did something DIFFERENT than what God commanded – he struck
the rock. Furthermore, he
DID speak, but his words (what to say was not specified in the command)
did not hallow God in the eyes of Israel.
Here we find necessary inference (God expected the words to
glorify Him) but also a specific command that forbade everything else.
c.
Making application
i.
Singing -
This is why we do not use instrumental music in our worship – we are
continually instructed to sing in the New Testament in our worship (Eph.
5:19, Col. 3:16, 1 Cor. 14:15).
Singing is a SPECIFIC type of music.
Instrumental music is a DIFFERENT type of music.
Since God has specified the type, we must respect His pattern.
NOTE: Another concern today is how some are using their voices to hum,
make instrumental sounds, hand clapping to the beat, etc.
When you examine the details of singing, I question whether or
not such is acceptable – it is NOT using the voice to teach and
admonish, but rather to entertain (like instruments).
ii.
Lord’s Supper – 1 Cor. 11:23-26 – Unleavened bread and fruit of the vine.
All other options (beans & tea, or burgers & coke) are excluded.
iii.
First day of the week
– Acts 20:7, the ONLY example we have of WHEN they assembled
to partake of the Lord’s Supper was the first day of the week.
Because we have a specific example, we must respect that.
Therefore, we will not offer the Lord’s Supper on any other day
of the week. (NOTE: However, the TIME of assembly is not specified).
iv.
Modest apparel - 1 Tim. 2:9 – Clothing MUST be modest.
That excludes – bikini, mini-skirt, short shorts, etc.
a.
For example: “Go and preach” – is generic in how we are to go and even the wording we
choose as we preach, but it is specific in that “not going” is not an
option.
b.
Singing
– that we can only sing is specific (we also find it is congregational
in nature, it must be psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, and it must be
true in meaning), but what type of singing we do is not specified –
(four part harmony, unison, more peppy songs or solemn songs).
IV.
The danger of extremes:
a.
Accepting only generic authority – there are some whose approach to scripture is that
if something is not specifically forbidden, it is acceptable.
Some try to make as much of scripture “generic” as possible.
This allows for liberal interpretation and thus more diversity.
The problem is that such disregards what God expects when He
tells us what to do.
Furthermore, it appeals to silence for authority.
Silence is always a dangerous source of authority.
When one speeds because he says, “I didn’t see a sign that said I
had to slow down” that doesn’t change the law.
There are implied laws in virtually every city, such as, if a
street is not marked, then X is the speed limit.
Heb. 7:13-14 gives us an example that silence is NOT consent.
1 Cor. 4:6 – tells us not to think beyond what is written.
Let us not seek to loose where God has bound (cf. Matt. 16:19)
b.
Accepting only specific
authority
–
a.
Some say that unless something is
specifically instructed we do not have authority to do it.
This ignores both generic authority and necessary inference, as
valid.
For example: If the command “go” is to be carried out only by specific
examples, then we could not use a car or airplane to go and preach.
b.
This is sometimes used
as an argument to forbid Bible classes and multiple containers for the
Lord’s Supper. Such
arguments ignore the context of commands.
c.
While we must respect
the specifics, we also need to respect matters that are not specified
and be careful that we do not BIND what has been loosed.
And there you have it!
The scriptures teach authority.
This has been a very broad examination of this subject.
But it is important.
Our understanding of authority will determine how we organize and work
as the Lord’s church, how we worship God, the way we conduct ourselves
in society and have a direct bearing on our respect for God’s word.
May all that we do truly be, “as the oracles of God.”