Establishing Authority - Necessary Inference

BY WHAT AUTHORITY ARE YOU DOING THESE THINGS? (6)
How to establish authority (3) – Necessary Conclusion

We are in the midst of a study about the importance of Biblical authority and how to properly determine what we can do as well as the way we are permitted to accomplish it. Thus far we have noted two ways to establish authority: Direct command – a specific statement either commanding or prohibiting something, and approved apostolic example – examples that demonstrate the fulfillment of a command of God that were met with His approval. In this article we want to examine the third way that we can establish authority – Necessary conclusion.

What is necessary conclusion? In another article we will establish the fact that there are some things that are specifically stated and others that are implied or inferred. To determine if something is inferred you put together all the facts and reach a conclusion. We do this all the time in life – looking at variables and reaching a conclusion. A simple example is the math equation, 2 + 2 = 4. How do you reach the answer (conclusion) of 4? By adding together the variables (2 & 2). Because of the rules of math we can conclude that 4 is the ONLY or necessary answer.

Similarly, as we study God’s word we not only find commands and examples, but necessary conclusions when we put together all the facts. There are actually several passages and illustrations where we find necessary conclusions. For example, consider the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 19:3-12. The Pharisees came to Jesus “testing Him” asking, “Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?” Jesus answered by quoting from Genesis 2 where we read of God making Eve for Adam. He points out that God made them male and female and commanded the man to leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. He also said the two shall become one flesh (Genesis 2:24). Then Jesus said, “Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:6). That statement is NOT found in Genesis 2 OR anywhere in the Old Testament. Notice that this is a Necessary CONLUSION that Jesus reaches based upon that text and what God’s word does say about divorce and marriage. Having an understanding of all God’s word on that subject, He could conclude with a statement that was BINDING, not a mere suggestion. Later in verse 9, based upon this conclusion, Jesus severely limits divorce and remarriage. (NOTE: He does include one exception which is not found in the Old Law either – which indicates His authority and perfect understanding of God’s will. But that does not change His approach dealing with the context He appealed to in vs. 6.)

On another occasion, in Matthew 22:23-33, Jesus appeals to the exactness of scripture to defeat the argument of the Sadducees who believed there was no resurrection. He said, “But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” To understand this, we need to go to the text where it was originally spoken which is Exodus 3:6 where the Lord appears to Moses at the burning bush. Moses lived about 500 years after Abraham, yet God said, “I AM” (present tense meaning an ongoing result) as He spoke to him. Jesus CONCLUDED from this, that God was not a god of those who USED to be, but were still alive AS He spoke. Of course Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had already died and been buried (cf. Genesis 49:29-33), but their souls lived on – THAT was the point of Jesus. NOTICE, that not only are the words spoken important, but even the parsing (breaking down the components) of words is important.

How can we apply this today? Consider another example found in Acts 8:26-38 where Philip is instructed by the Lord to go preach to a eunuch who was headed back to Ethiopia after worshipping God in Jerusalem. We are told in the text he was reading from Isaiah (chapter 53) when Philip joined him and “beginning at this scripture, preached Jesus to him” (35). In the next verse we read the eunuch says, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Philip answers, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” Philip then baptizes the eunuch who continues on his way rejoicing. Notice how this text says nothing about Philip preaching baptism. It only says he preached Jesus to him. From this we can NECESSARILY CONCLUDE that preaching Jesus on that occasion INCLUDED baptism. Therefore, baptism is a PART of being joined to Christ. This concurs with many other passages that explain the purpose of baptism (see Romans 6:3-6, Galatians 3:27, 1 Peter 3:20-21, Acts 2:38, etc.)

Why do we need to assemble on Sunday? Even though we are not specifically told to assemble on that day, there are numerous passages and examples that point to this. Hebrews 10:25 commands that we ARE TO assemble (“not forsaking the assembling of ourselves…”). Acts 20:7 says, “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…” 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 speaks of contributing “on the first day of the week.” Not only do we have examples and commands to assemble, we can NECESSARILY CONCLUDE that we need to assemble on Sunday. It is NOT an option for Christians. One might ask, “How often do we need to assemble?” Some think that if they every once in a while “go to church” that God will be pleased. But based on these passage and others we conclude that we need to assemble EVERY first day of the week at a minimum (understand we ought to assemble as often as the church we are a member of meets, which must be at least once a week).

Thus we have shown the three ways to establish authority. There is much more to be said and we will continue to study this. In our next article we will put all of these together noticing an example where they were applied in the New Testament and an act of worship that involves all three to fully understand it. Can you give “book, chapter and verse” for all that you do in service to Him?