BY WHAT AUTHORITY ARE YOU DOING THESE THINGS?
(7)
How to Establish Authority (4) – Putting it all together
The past three articles in this study have shown ways we establish authority. While our concern is doing all things “in the name of the Lord”, we acknowledge that these are practical ways to establish authorization for what we do in life. We have noted three ways: 1) Direct command – specific statements that specifically say what to do or forbid certain things. 2) Approved Apostolic Examples – examples that demonstrate the fulfillment of a command of God that were met with His approval. 3) Necessary conclusion – putting together all the facts in a given situation and reaching the intended conclusion. In this article we want to notice how these ways were used to establish authority in the first century.
Acts 15 records an occasion when a divisive issue was being discussed during the early days of the church (please read this chapter). Verse 1 tells that certain men came to Antioch of Syria from Judea (the region where Jerusalem was) teaching that Gentiles needed to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses to be saved. Paul and Barnabas sharply disagreed and went to Jerusalem to discuss and clear up the matter. This chapter records some of the dialogue that took place as they reached God’s conclusion about this issue. We will notice how the three ways mentioned above were used to reach their conclusion.
The first thing we note is that Peter rose up and reminded them that “a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.” (7) Peter was referring to events recorded in Acts 10 & 11 where he was sent by the Lord to the household of Cornelius to preach to what would become the first Gentile convert. Peter concluded by the events he observed that God “made no distinction between us and them” (9). He concludes based on those events that God did NOT expect Gentiles to follow the Law. IN FACT, Peter notes “we (Jews) shall be saved in the same manner as they.” (11) In this dialog Peter referred to an approved example that he was involved in, including the results of his conduct AND the necessary conclusion he reached by putting all the facts together. If you study Acts 10 you will also find direct commands from God that led to Peter going to Cornelius (see 10:15, 19).
After this, verse 12 tells us that Paul and Barnabas declared the many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles. We have some of these recorded in Acts 13-14 on Paul’s first missionary journey. In Jerusalem Paul and Barnabas are explaining approved examples as they preached among the Gentiles. Notice what is missing in their examples is ANY command to keep the Law of Moses. The book of Galatians deals with what happened on this occasion and how Paul taught among the Gentiles (see Galatians 2:1-10 and 3:10-13, 5:1-5, etc.). He necessarily concluded God did NOT expect Gentiles to conform to the Law of Moses.
After Paul and Barnabas finished speaking James speaks up, putting everything together. He begins by referring to some of the above mentioned examples (14). In verse 15 he says, “And with this the words of the prophets agree...” He then quotes from Amos 9:11-12 which is a prophecy that promises after Israel was carried into captivity they would be restored (and they were). He also noted that complete restoration would involve the Gentiles “who are called by My name.” (Ac. 15:16-17). Here we James referring to scripture, a direct command from God about a time when Gentiles would be included. There is no mention in that (or any) text of them being required to subscribe to the Law of Moses. Verse 19 of our text finds James reaching a necessary conclusion as he says, “Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those among the Gentiles who are turning to God.”
After this a letter is penned to the church at Antioch which records their conclusion (23-29). Notice that in this letter they say, “Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, "You must be circumcised and keep the law" — to whom we gave no such commandment — it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, … 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, (emphasis mine – TATJR) and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.” Notice how their conclusion was given the same weight as if God had specifically written this letter to them. They credit their conclusion to the Holy Spirit.
How can we apply this? Consider the Lord’s Supper as an example. 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, Matthew 26:26-29, Acts 20:7 & other passage give us instructions on observing this memorial. Using direct command we can conclude that we ought to observe this memorial – Jesus told us to in Matt. 26:27-29. Noting the approved example of Acts 20:7 we observe that it is to be observed “on the first day of the week.” With a little historical study we also determine the elements need to be unleavened bread and fruit of the grape. How often do we partake of this memorial? We again refer to Acts 20:7 where we find the ONLY example of when they partook of this memorial. The text also implies it was done often (see 20:6). Because this is the only example we have we can necessarily conclude that we need to partake of this memorial EVERY Sunday, since there is a “first day of the week” EVERY week.
Thus we can see HOW to establish authority for all that we do. Using direct command, approved examples and necessary conclusion are the methods used by inspired men in the first century and they are the methods we need to use today. IF all will respect God’s word and use it properly we can achieve the unity He desires. One might ask, “What about the silence of the scriptures?” Some reason that if something is not specifically forbidden that it is acceptable to do. In our next article we will study that.