Further Thoughts Related To Authority In Religion - Part One

Following Jesus Without Denominationalism

Further Thoughts Related To Authority In Religion - Part One

In the past two lessons in this series, I have stressed that to be free of religious division we must have the same "standard of authority". That standard is the Will of Christ as revealed in the "apostles' doctrine", that is, the teaching of Christ's apostles, as inspired by the Holy Spirit, and preserved for us in the pages of the New Testament. Other standards, both objective and subjective, are not suitable guides to lead us in the way of salvation. Not the Old Testament, majority rule, parents, preachers, creeds and traditions of men, nor conscience, human wisdom, or feelings.

Before we leave the subject of authority, there are some questions I believe worthy of our consideration. Exactly how does one use the New Testament to establish authority? Are there limitations placed upon how far we may go in matters of religion? Will having the same standard of authority "guarantee" unity among followers of Christ? -- In this lesson I wish to share some thoughts along these lines. Beginning with how authority is established.

Authority can be established in one of three ways. Direct command or precept - a direct statement of something that can or cannot be done. Example one, "repent and be baptized" - Ac 2:38. Example two, "love one another" - Jn 13:34. Example three, "abstain from sexual immorality" - 1 Th 4:3. Approved example - an illustration that shows a practice was done with the approval of the Lord's apostles. As an apostle, Paul taught by both precept and example. He encouraged others to imitate him, and sent Timothy to remind people of "his ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church" - 1 Co 4:16-17. The God of peace will be with those who do the sort of things both heard (precept) and seen (example) in an apostle like Paul - Ph 4:9. So when we have an example that meets with apostolic approval, we know there is authority for the practice. Such as, having a plurality of elders in one church - Ac 14:23; 20:28; Ph 1:1. Or, meeting on the first day of the week for the purpose of breaking bread (such as, the Lord's supper, 1 Co 10:16-17) - Ac 20:7. Necessary implication, or "forced conclusion" - something neither expressly stated nor specifically exemplified, yet it is necessarily implied by the clear import and meaning of the language used so that one can only draw a particular conclusion. Jesus appealed to necessary implication when He reasoned that there must be a resurrection of the dead based upon the implication of God's statement to Moses - Mt 22:29-33. Peter and the brethren in Judea understood the necessary implication of the Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit, that it meant Gentiles were permitted to be baptized and enjoy the repentance that leads to life - Ac 10:44-48; 11:15-18. Therefore, if the evidence of the Scriptures warrant it, we may draw certain conclusions because of the necessary implication, for example, the issue of baptizing infants. The prerequisites for baptism include faith and repentance - Mk 16:16; Ac 2:38; 8:37. Infants are incapable of faith and repentance. Therefore the necessary implication (or forced conclusion) is that baptism is not required of infants. Another example is the matter of using unleavened bread in partaking the Lord's Supper. There is nothing expressly stated nor specifically exemplified in reference to using unleavened bread as we observe the Lord's Supper. But when Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper at the Last Passover, we know that He was using unleavened bread - Lk 22:7-19. Therefore the necessary implication is that we should use unleavened bread as we keep His command to observe the Lord's Supper.

There is both "general" and "specific" authority. Using a "direct command" as an example, sometimes it is "general" in its authority. That is, "not limited in scope, area, or application" (American Heritage Dictionary) For example, the command to "go" in Mt 28:19 is generic enough to authorize all methods of transportation. Sometimes a "direct command" is "specific" in its authority. That is, "explicitly set forth; definite" (American Heritage Dictionary). The example would be, when God commanded Noah to build the ark with "gopher" wood (Gen 6:14), the specific nature of the command ruled out using any other kind of wood. A "specific" command may itself have a degree of "general" authority. As an example, the command to "sing" specifically authorizes acapella music. It is not generic enough to authorize instrumental music which is totally different class (or kind) of music, but it is generic enough to authorize different aids or "expedients" (see below), such as song books, to carry out the command to sing.

"Expedients" may be used to carry out authorized practices, such as singing. "Expedient" means "appropriate to a purpose" (American Heritage Dictionary). Thus an "expedient" is an aid that is suitable for carrying out that which is authorized. Sample "expedients" based upon what is authorized in the Scriptures:

Assembling is authorized, so the meeting house is an expedient to carry out the command to assemble.

Teaching is authorized, so arrangement in classes is an expedient to carry out the command to instruct.

Giving is authorized, so collection baskets are an expedient for gathering the contribution.

Baptism is authorized, so the baptistery is an expedient to provide a place for immersion.

Singing is authorized, so hymn books are expedient to helping us sing.

These principles on how to establish authority from the Scriptures may seem prosaic, but they can be very useful in applying the "apostles' doctrine" (i.e., the Word of God) to our lives. When properly understood and applied correctly, they can be useful "tools" to maintain the unity and peace of a local congregation.

Another question that often arises when the subject of authority in religion is being discussed: "Are there limitations placed upon how far we may go?" I.e., must we have authority for all that we do in religious matters? We will look into the answers to this question in our continuation of this lesson in Part Two.

God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year

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