A Basic Study of Authority

INTRODUCTION.

A.        A proper understanding of Bible authority should be a basic tool in the Christian’s “utility belt.” Every Christian should grasp the subject of Bible authority.

B.        Such a proper understanding of Bible authority will enable the Christian to defend and explain the workings of the local church. This understanding of authority is not grasped by everyone in the religious world.

C.        In this lesson, we will discuss:

1.         Imperial authority.

2.         Delegated authority.

3.         Authority presented in the Bible.

4.         Recognizing Bible authority.

D.        Let us begin with imperial authority.

I.         IMPERIAL AUTHORITY - GOD, JESUS, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.

            A.        God spoke to us by His Son, Jesus. (Hebrews 1:1-4)

                        1.         God spoke in times past.

                        2.         God spoke to us by Jesus Christ.

                                    a.         God appointed Jesus heir of all things.

                                    b.         Through Jesus God made the worlds or ages.

                                    c.         Jesus is the brightness of God’s glory.

                                    d.         Jesus is the express image of God’s person.

                                    e.         Jesus upholds all things by the world of His power, when He had purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high.

            B.        Jesus is the image of the invisible God. (Colossians 1:15-18)

                        1.         Jesus is the image of the invisible god.

                        2.         Jesus is the firstborn over all creation.

                        3.         By Jesus all things were created. Through Him and for Him.

                        4.         Jesus is before all things.

                        5.         In Jesus all things consist.

                        6.         Jesus is head of the His body, the church.

                        7.         Jesus is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead.

                        8.         Jesus has the preeminence.

            C.        God told mankind to hear Jesus. (Matthew 17:1-5)

            D.        Gave gave all authority to Jesus. (Matthew 28:18; 1 Corinthians 15:24-27)

            E.        Jesus is Lord of lords. (1 Timothy 6:15)

II.       DELEGATED AUTHORITY.

            A.        Jesus delegated authority to the apostles. (Matthew 16:18-19; 18:18; Mark 16:15-16, 19-20)

            B.        Paul referenced this authority. (2 Corinthians 10:8; 13:10)

            C.        The apostles’s delegated authority was supported by the Holy Spirit. (John 14:25-26; 15:26-27; Galatians 1:11-12)

III.      AUTHORITY (BOTH IMPERIAL AND DELEGATED) IS PRESENTED IN THE BIBLE.

            A.        The Gospel is the power of God to save. (Romans 1:16-17)

            B.        The Bible guides us and equips us to live godly lives. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

            C.        The Bible contains everything we need to live faithful lives. (2 Peter 1:2-4)

            D.        The Faith has been once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 1:3)

IV.      RECOGNIZING BIBLE AUTHORITY.

            A.        Precepts, approved examples, and necessary inference.

                        1.         By precepts. This refers to a direct statement or positive command.

                        2.         By approved example. The churches seen in the New Testament were under apostolic guidance, which the apostles had received from the Lord. We look to their practices as approved examples.

                        3.         By necessary inference. Necessary inference refers to that which is neither expressly stated nor specifically exemplified, but is necessarily implied by the text.

                        4.         An Example: The Lord’s supper.

                                    a.         Precept: “This do in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:23-25)

                                    b.         Approved example: “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread . . .” (Acts 20:7)

                                    c.         Necessary inference: “The first day of the week to break bread.” (Acts 20:7)

                                                (1)       It is necessarily inferred that they saints meet every first day of the week.

                                                (2)       Consider Exodus 20:8: “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” The Israelites understand this command to be every week.

                                    d.         Necessary inference: Using unleavened bread. (Luke 22:1, 7, 19-20)

                                                (1)       Jesus and His apostles met for the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

                                                (2)       The bread used by Jesus was unleavened bread when He said, “Take eat.”

                                                (3)       Therefore, we use unleavened bread when we observe the Lord’s supper.

            B.        Generic and specific authority.

                        1.         Generic authority refers to any thing, method, or means of execution that comes within the scope of the precept, example, or thing commanded.

                                    a.         “Go” - Matthew 28:19

                                                (1)       How? Walk, ride, fly, sail, etc.

                                                (2)       God did not specify the how. God gave us the choice. No man has the right to bind a specific method.

                                    b.         “Teach” - Matthew 28:18-19

                                                (1)       How? Private, public, classes

                                                (2)       God did not specify the how. God gave us the choice. No man has the right to bind a specific method.

                                    c.         Assemble - Hebrews 10:25

                                                (1)       Where? Home, rented hall, own meeting house

                                                (2)       God did not specify. God left this decision to man’s judgment to select the most expedient place.

                                    d.         Sing - Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16

                                                (1)       How? With book, by memory

                                                (2)       What part? Soprano, alto, tenor, bass

                                                (3)       What style of singing? Four part, chant, two part

                                                (4)       God did not specify. God left the choice to man’s judgment. No man has the right to legislate.

                        2.         Specific authority excludes every thing, method, or means of execution not specifically specified in the precept, example or thing commanded.

                                    a.         Using gopher wood in building the ark. (Genesis 6:14)

                                                (1)       Excluded: Walnut, pine, ash, spruce, and all other kinds.

                                                (2)       God specified Gopher wood. Noah did not have the right to add another.

                                    b.         The ashes of a red heifer in the Water of Cleansing. (Number 19:2)

                                                (1)       Excluded: Sheep, goat, pig, horse, camel and every other color of heifer.

                                                (2)       God specified not only the kind of animal, but even the color. No man had the right to add another color or kind of animal.

                                    c.         Singing. (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16)

                                                (1)       Excludes: instrumental music

                                                (2)       God specified singing. No man has the right to grant a liberty which God’s authority excludes.

                                    d.         Unleavened bread and fruit of the vine for the Lord’s supper. (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25)

                                                (1)       Excludes: Loaf bread, wheat bread, coke, water, etc.

                                                (2)       Excludes: Any day other than the first day of the week.

                                                (3)       God has made the choice with reference to these matters. No man has the authority to change what God has specified.

                                    e.         The jurisdiction of elders over the local church. (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2)

                                                (1)       Excluded: Elders overseeing anything or anyone else, other than the local church.

                                                (2)       Whenever elders become overseers of anything else but the work of the flock “which is among them,” or the “flock over which the Holy Spirit has made them overseers” they are without jurisdiction as elders.

CONCLUSION.

A.        As you can see, properly understanding Bible authority is necessary to following the heavenly Father.

B.        We must always insist on the local church following the authority found within the word of God. We must not seek or follow the assumed authority of man or religious leaders. Let us follow only the Bible.

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A Basic Study of Authority -- March 7, 2004 -- File # 154 - Authority

by John M. Duvall -- Lawton, OK