Sunday, April 30, 2017 am
THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
2017 (12)
Authority (7)
General and Specific Authority
With a goal of gaining a better understanding of what the NT church is,
we are in the midst of a study of authority.
IF we are to achieve true unity it is imperative that we be of
the same mind. A part of
that is approaching God’s word with the same mindset (cf. Philippians
2:2). That is why we need to
properly understand how we establish authority.
With that in mind we have addressed what authority is as well as
noted its importance. We
have also devoted 4 lessons to the 3 ways we establish authority (CENI).
Today we want to address the two categories of authority –
Specific and Generic authority.
Again, in our studies we will find our need to use logic and reason, as
well as an honest desire to accurately handle the word of God (2 Timothy
2:15). We need to examine
passages of scripture OBJECTIVELY.
a.
Why is this important?
Because many either bind or loose beyond God’s boundaries because
they fail to understand this.
There are typically 2 extremes in establishing Bible authority.
i.
Some say, we can do
nothing unless it is specifically stated in scripture.
They want to limit where God has not. Some argue against Bible
classes, buildings, multiple containers with communion, saying we must
partake in an upper room, baptism must be in a river, etc.
ii.
Others say, we can do
whatever we want, unless it is specifically prohibited.
This is used to justify all
manner of innovations including instrumental music, entertainment in
worship, turning the church into a recreational and social organization,
etc.
iii.
BOTH of these extremes
are wrong. As we have seen,
we MUST respect God’s word and His boundaries.
But there are matters that He has left to our discretion as to
how we carry them out. This
is governed by an understanding of specific and generic (general)
authority.
b.
General (generic) –
i.
Defined – pertaining to
each and all within a specific class, not limited to a precise
application.
“Including any thing, method, or
means of execution that comes within the class or order of the precept,
example or thing commanded.” (Walking by Faith, Cogdill, p. 15) This
is authority expressed in general terms where the details are not
specified.
ii.
Generic authority is
INCLUSIVE. It leaves room for options or choices.
It involves expediencies (things which facilitate carrying out a
command – i.e. a water fountain in a building, song books, etc.).
We will address this more next week as we contrast this with
additions.
iii.
For example: I have a
group over at the house and I say, “Could someone go get me a loaf of
bread?” There are many
generalities left to the discretion of the group.
Who goes? What type
of bread? How big of a loaf?
Where will they get it – at a store, at their house, etc.?
iv.
Consider the great
commission:
Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-16
- Go and teach all nations.
While there are specific instructions, there are also generalities left
to our discretion –
1.
How do we go?
Back then they could walk, ride in a chariot, on an animal, on a
ship, etc.
2.
Teach – while what they
were to teach is limited (to the gospel), how they taught was left to
their discretion. In a
public setting, in a synagogue, in a school, in a home, in a prison, in
a chariot, etc. Orally or in
writing, etc.
v.
Is always based upon a
specific command and deals with HOW that command is executed.
a.
Specific authority –
vi.
Defined – precisely
formulated or restricted, explicit, etc.
Particular and detailed, avoiding vagueness.
“Excluding every thing, method, or
means of execution in the same order or class which is not particularly
specified in the precept, example or thing commanded.” (Cogdill,
ibid, p. 15)
vii.
Specific authority is
EXCLUSIVE. That is, it
excludes. By its very
definition, what is specified eliminates all other options OUTSIDE the
realm of what is specified.
viii.
For example: I have a
group over to the house and say, “Bob, could you go to the grocery store
around the corner and get me a 24 oz. loaf of Ezekiel 4:9 whole wheat
bread?” I have given very
specific instructions as to what I want.
Those matters are non-negotiable if I am to get what I want.
ix.
Consider the great
commission:
Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-16
- Go and teach all nations.
Go – is specific as opposed to NOT going!
To stay and do nothing is to disobey.
Preach or teach – they were to proclaim.
To go and say nothing was to disobey. What were they to teach?
The gospel, what is necessary to make disciples.
x.
Abraham was called upon
to offer Isaac –
Genesis 22:1-2 – God told
Him to go and take Isaac and offer him as a burnt offering.
He said it would be in the land of Moriah on a specific mountain.
In giving this command Abraham could NOT offer Ishmael or Hagar
or a servant. Nor could he
go to a different location and be pleasing to God.
xi.
When God specifies something, we dare not change it.
Consider Uzzah in 2 Samuel 6:6-7 who was struck dead because he
touched the ark of the covenant.
Realize that it happened because God had specified to Israel how
the ark was to be transported – by poles carried on the shoulders of
Levites (Num. 4:5-6, etc.)
b.
MOST commands contain
both specific and general parts.
Specific always takes precedence over generic – because of the
above rule.
xii.
For example: Noah was
given specific instructions to build an ark – Genesis 6:13-16 – there
are many details that God specified.
It was to be an ark (not a raft, sailboat, canoe, etc.), built of
gopher wood (not pine, cypress, oak, cedar, etc.), 450 feet long, 75
feet wide and 45 feet tall – with 3 decks, one window and one door.
It was to be covered inside and out with pitch (tar of some
sort). These were specified
by God and needed to be followed exactly as stated.
Noah faithfully did this (Genesis 6:22, 7:5, cf. Hebrews 11:7).
He did so “by faith”.
xiii.
Generic – consider again
Noah. God gave him very specific
instructions, but He did not specify what tools to use to build the ark.
Therefore, Noah could use whatever methods he had at his disposal
– hammers, saws, axes, etc.
a.
Matthew 28:19-20, Mark
16:15-16 - Go and teach all nations.
As the great commission applies to us, we have the same specific and
generic commands.
i.
Specific – we are to go. We cannot
please God if we are not trying to preach or teach the gospel.
We are to teach - make disciples of Jesus, preach the Gospel – not the
writings of Max Lucado, Joel Osteen, Charles Stanley, or some other
prolific writer. Make
known the gospel in its simplicity – cf. 1 Corinthians 2:1-2.
ii.
Generic – as we go we too can walk, ride an animal, go on a ship, etc. But
because the method of going is generic, we can also drive in a car, take
a bus or airplane, ride a bike, etc.
We can teach – in a class setting, from the pulpit, using literature
(tracts, etc.), via a website, etc.
The method is not specified SO LONG AS we are proclaiming the
simple gospel of Christ.
b.
Ephesians 5:19,
Colossians 3:16
– our worship in song.
i.
Specific – God
has told us to sing. Singing
is a TYPE of music.
Instrumental music is a DIFFERENT type of music.
God has specified by command and approved examples – thus we are
ONLY authorized to sing acapella.
We are to make melody with our hearts, sing with grace in our hearts –
proper attitude, and plucking the strings of the heart – NOT the strings
of harp, or guitar or piano.
We are to sing – psalms, hymns and spiritual songs – these are specific
types of songs. Our worship
should not be singing contemporary chart tunes, country music, rap, etc.
BTW, singing is NOT beep-bopping to imitate instruments.
ii.
Generic –
we can use four part harmony, 2 part harmony or sing in unison.
Also, we have authority to use song books, a song leader, etc. This too
falls under generic authority, as an expediency.
(More on this next week).
c.
Lord’s Supper –
i.
Specific
- When? Acts 20:7 – on the first day of the week.
We can ONLY partake on Sundays
per example. EXCLUDED would
be taking it on Saturday or Thursday night or any other day.
It is also something to be done when we come together – Acts 20:7, cf. 1
Corinthians 11:20ff.
Also elements specified (NI).
Excluded would be any other elements.
ii.
Generic
- BUT, WHEN on the first day of the week?
As long as we assemble and partake of the Lord’s Supper on that
day, we have obeyed the command.
How the elements are served is up to our discretion – multiple
containers, a single container, distributed via trays, etc.
d.
Hebrews 10:25
–
i.
Specific
- we are commanded to assemble – to forsake the assembling is NOT an
acceptable option; Also, we know that our assemblies MUST include a
Sunday service.
ii.
Generic
- However, WHERE we
assemble – in a building, a rented hall, a home, in a school, are all
acceptable options as they fulfill the command to assemble.
It would also include the necessary amenities to facilitate the assembly
– heat, electricity (today), a water fountain, pews, restrooms, etc.
We CAN assemble at other times without violating the command to assemble
on Sunday.
e.
Within the church
– we have specifics as to how we may raise and use our funds, the
organizational structure (no organization larger than a LC, also local
oversight of elders, etc.), the work of the church, how we worship God,
doctrinal and moral purity, etc.
In these matters there are specific commands, examples and
conclusions, but there are also matters left up to our discretion.
And
thus we can see the importance of understanding the different types of
authority. He expects us to
follow His commands exactly as they are given – nothing more and nothing
less. Remember, He said, “For My thoughts are not your
thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways ," says the LORD. For as the heavens
are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My
thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
In our next lesson we will address this more as we talk about
expediencies and additions. Are
we following His commands?